I'm looking for suggestions for restaurants in the Loire Valley. We're staying near Amboise, but will have a car and are willing to drive a little. The price range should be around 50 Eu PP (less is of course excellent as well), but if it's really great and is a bit more expensive, feel free to make that suggestion, too. We'll probably splurge once in our three nights there.

Thanks, Fodorites. You did a good job answering my previous posts about Paris restaurants and Amboise area B&Bs.

L'Epicerie, right in Amboise, is good, as is the restaurant at Le Choiseul hotel there. And one of my all-time favorite restaurants in the Loire is: http://www.linternaute.com/restauran...al-blanc.shtml

Caveat: It's been a few years since I was at the Cheval Blanc, and I thought in the meantime I'd heard it had closed. A google search would indicate it's open again (if indeed it did ever close), but perhaps under new management?

Here's another one that's fun, especially if you've never been in a troglodyte dwelling/structure: http://www.cavesdemarson.com/howtofindus.html

It's a bit of a hike from Amboise, but worth it if you're headed that way.

Don't remember the prices but th Domaine des Hauts de Loire is an excellent restaurant and hotel. I'm sure their website would give some examples of menus and prices. We loved staying there on 3 trips to the Loire and would recommend it to anyone

Au Bon Laboureur in Chenonceaux is a wow resto, but requires a few euros. Perhaps lunch?

www.bonlaboureur.com

We had the best lunch at La Roseraie in Chenonceaux. The price was fair for the delicious food......rich brown sauce for the boeuf, excellent duck, lovely atmosphere, and fine service. It is not upscale or fancy, but it is delectable, cozy, and very charming. I wouldn't miss it if I were in the area, very close to Amboise.

One of the many reasons I urge my fellow travelers to avoid Amboise is its absolute lack of good restaurants. I dined at l'Epicerie (which actually was an epicerie some years back) just a few weeks ago. The service was wonderful, the food creatively presented and wonderfully prepared, and prices are moderate. It really has no equal within the town.

The Cheval Blanc in Blere was not closed but it did change hands a couple of years ago. I have not yet eaten there since the change but I have heard that it is good but has not yet re-established the reputation it had under its previous owners.

In Contres, the Botte d'Asperge is very good as are those restaurants mentioned above in Chenonceaux.

We loved L'Aubiniere restaurant a short drive from Amboise

http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/lau...0fr061063.html

The room was charming, the food, wine, and service just wonderful.

I enjoyed a dinner at La Plantagenet, La Croix Blanche, in Fontevraud. It should be in your price range, and I thought both the food and the service were quite good.

We ate at Bon Laboureur in Chenonceaux last month and it was my favorite dinner during our three week trip (including two other Michelin starred restaurants). They have three set menus that change daily; the least expensive was 48€ and it was wonderful. With a couple glasses of wine, our total bill was about 125€, which was an excellent value for the meal. The service was excellent and the place is very charming. (The 48€ menu does not include the amazing cheese tray, well worth the additional 15€; I'm getting it next time!)

We stayed at the Bob Laboureur hotel and ate dinner one night in Amboise; it's an easy drive to Chenonceaux.

If you are looking for a more casual dinner in Amboise, we liked La Reserve. To be honest, it was a lovely Sunday evening, we sat at a sidewalk table gazing at the chateau, and we'd had a perfect day of sightseeing, so we were probably easy to please. Their steak frites menu was 16.90€, including starter and dessert. IIRC, l'Epicerie was closed on Sunday.

L'epicerie is excellent. I was there a few weeks ago and had a terrific steak with a peppery brown sauce. Worth ordering a side of their potatoes that look like tiny tater tots in a small basket (nest) made of potatoes.

Across the river from Amboise is Le Fleuray Hotel and Restaurant. www.lefleurayhotel.com I have stayed there and the food was fantastic!

nordhus---love the looks of that hotel and restaurant. If we ever go back to Amboise, we will stay there.

Not sure what your travel dates are--maybe you've been by now? But I ate at the Léonard de Vinci in Tours and was very pleased. It was my third choice, and I was a little put off by the kistchy decor, but my first and second choice were closed that night, and it turned out to be just wonderful! I had the "trio des pâtes" and a half bottle of Chinon red, the name of which escapes me at the moment. Highly recommended. N.B. the patio was noisy due to the discothèque next door; it may be better to brave the kitsch and eat inside.

Im yet to find the $50-70 Euro fine dining experience in Amboise that seems so ubiquitous in the Loire, but for fine food at an excellent price in a busy atmosphere L'Epicerie is a great choice. Another choice just a short walk from the hustle and bustle of the crowds with good food, nice atmosphere, fair prices, with an unhurried pace after a full day of sightseeing is Le Parvis.

go to viamichelin.fr and look up restaurants in and around Amboise, Saumur, Tour etc.

their suggestions are usually pretty reliable.

we have found it difficult to find a bad meal in Saumur.