Auberge de l'Abbaye - Hambye

We have been here before when it had different management. This time we had dinner and a couple of hours later I was violently ill. My wife, who is disabled, went to see the management but they were completely indifferent to me being sick. Fortunately we live quite close so I was able to drive home. I remained in bed for three days with what I believe to be food poisoning. They did not answer my email. I understand the restaurant has recently been closed as a result of other cases of food poisoning. I hope the Logis organisation sort this place out as in was once a great place to eat.

The Auberge is just next to the ruined Abbey at Hambye, in a quiet rural part of Normandy. The dining rooms are light and spacious, so even when they are full, it remains calm and fairly quiet. The auberge has an a la carte menu as well as fixed priced menus. We went for a fixed priced 4 course menu for 40€ and we were very satisfied. The entree of langoustines was probably the weakest the meal, but the veal main was succulent and beautiful, there is a traditional cheese cart to choose your cheeses for the cheese course (all local cheeses too, which is a nice touch), and several choices for dessert. Drinks are also well priced. Service was a little lacking at the start, but it did get better. However staff were so absent that at one point, a waiting client tried to flag me down as I returned to my table. This is a good value place to have a well realised and calm lunch.

9 of us had dinner here and 2 of the group were vegetarian and we all know that can be a big ask in some parts of France :) I did have to give the restaurant a heads up and they offered a couple of options for our veggie friends and apparently, they were delighted. The whole group agreed the food and wine were of a very high standard and we all had a very enjoyable meal. I would recommend getting there a bit early and have a couple of drinks on the terrace before dinner. You can also just go for drinks in the summer in a lovely setting. The staff are super helpful and very professional.

We chose the Gardens of the Auberge menu at 29 euros. My wife had six excellent oysters, and I had a risotto of Pont l'Eveque with local andouille which was unexpectedly delicious. Then we had quinea fowl breast stuffed with dried apricots and a cider sauce. We finished with pancakes flambéed in Grand Marnier. The whole meal was served pleasantly and efficiently. We can't wait to return!

Absolutely delicious food, beautifully presented and very reasonably priced.We chose the €47 menu which is 4 courses (starter, main, cheeses and dessert)Could not fault the food at all, I do however think the decor, and lighting wasn't brilliant, it's so bright in the dining room for dinner, it could do with dimming down the lighting to give it an atmosphere to match the exquisite food.