Restaurant Moulin Marin - Lapalisse

The reviews on this restaurant led us to book up for a special occasion. As far as interesting menu, great ambience, good service, the place lived up to its reputation. However, we were disappointed. First, the escargots cassolette had a sauce, supposedly flavoured with Noilly Prat, but was more or less a soup, with very little flavour. Then, we both had the lamb steak with thyme and honey sauce... the lamb was virtually raw we like our lamb well pink, after all we live in France but this was deep red raw, with a gently squeeze oozing **** water. I have posted a photo of the dish. On the other hand, my wife had an excellent saumon tartare for an entrée, and our desserts: a strawberry mousse with crunchy praline and a fresh fruit salad were good. I give a high value rating on value for the selections, if they were as they should be. It is a shame that I have to report a disappointment, but, in the final analysis, whatever the ambience etc, a restaurant must have the dishes executed properly. I spoke with the manager, who seemed quite indifferent to my comments.

The restaurant is very nice with a typical French regional bistro menu. Allthough frog legs and snails are not apealing to everybody, we quite enjoyed some of the other dishes. The service is great: they even tried to speak English to accomodate our meager french. Nice terrace and on this summer evening we enjoyed a very nice light, white 100% organic wine.

Lovely setting in a converted mill. Food was well presented and great tasting. Local wine was also good value. Staff were very friendly and accomodating (to the point of offering us a lift back to our B&B ! . Would recommend.

L'ancien moulin est abandonné mais donne un cachet sympa à l'ensemble. L'hôtel est neuf, c'est impeccable. Le restaurant reste assez classique et démarre à 21€ avec les petits déjeuners à 12€ le budget global n'est pas adapté pour nous qui voyageons beaucoup, donc déçu par le budget mais pas par l'accueil et la propreté.

Le menu du Moulin est à choisir, les plats sont très bons et suffisamment copieux pour en sortir très satisfait.