Auberge du Pont-Canal - Cuffy

The menu at l'Auberge is probably as french as it can get with many classics, Tournedos Rossini, Foie Gras, Snails, Frog Legs etc. The food is solid but there is certainly room for improvements, the stem cabbage served was really hard, almost wooden.

Nice view, friendly staff and excellent food. Even the kids enjoyed the meals which often is quitte different.

We found this restaurant on Trip Advisor listed under Saint Amand Montrond, where we were staying. With a little bit of research, we realized that the restaurant was not close enough to drive to for dinner, so we decided to go for lunch. It is about an hour from Saint Amand. It is much closer to Nevers and Apremont sur Alliers.We did not feel that it was worth the drive. It was a windy day, so we were not able to sit out on the terrace with a view of the canal. The large dining room was just a big room, with no type of decoration. The food was very plain, large but not very appetizing. I think they go for quantity rather than quality. We like cheese, rather than dessert after a meal. From afar the cheese tray looked great, but when it arrived, all the cheeses were old and dry.This was the most disappointing meal of our 3 1/2 week trip to France.That being said, after leaving the restaurant we went and watched several barges go thru the locks. That was much better than our lunch.This restaurant is definitely not worth the long drive from Saint Amand Montrond.

Turning up 'on spec' for Sunday lunch in France is always something of a lottery but we were given a table without any problem and deliberated the menu over a glass a of kir each. We went for the 20.50 euro set menu which was reasonable example of a three course meal in a provincial French restaurant.My tete de veau was plentiful, if lacking slightly in depth of flavour. Madame's fish soup was probably out of a jar but came with all the expected trimmings of rouille, grated cheese and croutons. The main courses of steak and lamb were cooked as requested and came with a small selection of vegetables. We appeared to end up with the wrong desserts but it was no great problem.The staff were all friendly and hard working, so all in all we felt we had made a good choice by stopping at this auberge. Our bill came to around 65 euros including aperos, coffee and half a bottle of singularly unimpressive Chinon.

First, the bad bit! We asked for a window seat overlooking the canal as we wanted to keep an eye on our boat during lunch. We got a small table in the middle of the restaurant against a wall! (We'd booked on the Thursday prior!). So a bit cheesed off at the start.Now the good bit. We had a first class Sunday lunch. All the food was to perfection. We're so pleased we went. The steak Rossini was the best bit of beef I've had in France in a long time. We had aperitifs before hand, two set menus, one at 29€ and the other at 21€, two small carafes of house wine and cheese board to die for.The staff were great, the atmosphere was good. Do book if you go, it was just about full!