Really excellent lunch at La Chope, one of Tours' institutions, today. Three of us tucked into a sumptuous and marvelously fresh plâteau royale fruits de mer accompanied by an excellent bottle of lemony 2007 Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Vieilles Vignes (17€) from Gadais Père et Fils in Saint-Fiacre – perfect with the seafood and with enough weight to match even the crab. Of particular note are the plump and succulent oysters from Gillardeau, the 'grand cru' of these bivalves. La Chope is the only restaurant in Tours to have them.
Interior with street reflections
2007 Vieilles Vignes Muscadet de-Sèvre-et-Maine, Gadais Père et Fils
A plateau for three La Chope was founded over 100 years ago (in 1902) and is famous for its fish as well as its interior full of mirrors. It is also now renowned for its wicked chocolate mousse. We opted for three portions and were stunned by their copious size. Two between three would have done easily.
There is a good list of Loire wines including Jacky Blot, Baudry-Dutour, Frères Foucault, Didier Dagueneau, Charles Joguet, Philippe Alliet, Pierre and Bertrand Dutheil, Couly-Dutheil, Jean-François Merieau.
La Chope is run by Samy and Zara Gicqueau, who used to run the Michelin starred Sandgate Hotel in Hythe from 1995 to around 2002. All in all La Chope is highly recommended!
La Chope
25 bis Avenue de Grammont,
37000 Tours
Tel: 02.47.20.15.15
