In several of the reviews written about the apartment we are renting in Ceret, lunch or dinner at "Fred's" is a must.
To celebrate my birthday we went for lunch on Friday.
We were not disappointed. It was a most fabulous experience beginning to end.
Once seated we were presented with the wine list and menu board and a trio of nibbles of olives, tapenade toasts and dry sausage.
Monsieur ordered a bottle of Rosé, which was delicious!
A charming gentleman arrived at our table to take our orders ... this was none other than "Fred".
We had assumed "Fred" was the chef, alas he is the properietor and does a fantastic job of running his restaurant.
He was helpful with our menu selections and attentive throughout the service.
Something I especially liked there was no clutter of wine bottles/ water bottles on the tables.
Your bottle of wine is placed in an ice bucket on the bar ... and our glasses were quietly and magically refilled at the correct time.
A three course menu with your choice from three different starters, three main dishes and three desserts!
Delicious food, artfully presented!
The green asparagus with goat cheese mousse (light and fluffy like foam) with julienned beets, orange slices served on thin wafers similar to Melba toasts, adorned with a brightly coloured edible "Nasturtium" blossom! This was my starter choice and it was "Très, Très Bon!"
Monsieur Honey enjoyed the salmon carpaccio with delicate citrus flavours served with in season green asparagus, julienned beets, slices of citrus (Orange) and pine nuts. Delicious!
For my main course ... It was the beef (faux filet /sirloin) served with the freshest melange of vegetables ... of peas, mushrooms and onions,
I am always leery about ordering a steak, I'm not sure if it is because I was a butcher's daughter and some of the cuts are unfamiliar.
Fred assured me it was a good choice and it would be tender and cooked the way I wanted it.
He was absolutely right!
It was melt in your mouth tender, flavourful and grilled perfectly.
Msr. Honey's selection, the duck breast cooked to his specifications topped with a tempura battered shrimp served over creamy mashed potatoes. Another delicious dish!
This was my "Birthday Cake" of choice ... Something like a spring roll filled with a cherry filled cream, served with salted caramel sauce and a cherry ice cream. The best!
Msr. chose the Saffron Creme Brûlée... another winner.
Fred opened this restaurant approximately two years ago, and had previously been in business for about eighteen years.
Merci beaucoup to Fred and staff!
Reservations highly recommended.
L'Atelier de Fred
Restaurant
66400 Céret
Telephone 04 68 95 47 41
Email ... atelierdefred66@gmail.com
