Le Relais De Bel Air - Grézac

Wow, this was impressive! We were recommended by some local friends, and we were not disappointed. Plat de jour for just 14eur. Included buffet starter (which was great, including fresh prawns and a number of home made dishes. There was a choice of about 6 main courses. Desert was also very impressive. Bottle of decent house wine included. Will be coming back.

With three courses, coffee and a bottle of Sauvignon Charentaise as well as 'service compris ' for 40 euros we maybe shouldn 't complain but the old adage that 'you get what you pay for ' certainly rings true here! With no written menu in French let alone English (and of course we would not expect the latter! either on the table or at the starter buffet it was always going to be a bit of pot luck but our admittedly limited French established via the owner what the four main courses on offer were. Plenty of options for the starters all cold although, even now, I 'm not quite sure about some of what we had eaten some tasty, some less so! Main courses were a dry lasagne tasting purely of the mince and not much else of which my partner left half and my own St Pierre/ John Dory in an indeterminate sauce with a tomato and courgette accompaniment which was OK ish! Desserts, again all cold, we 're decent and the coffee and wine were fine. So, in summary, maybe a good roadside stop on the D730 but as somewhere to go for a 'good ' meal out then one to avoid.......even at that price!

After a fab meal in Le Petit Gourmand in nearby Cravens we were speaking to an English couple who recommended we try Le Relais de Bel Air. We won't be going there again I'm afraid. Our attempts at French weren't appreciated and none of the staff could speak English our fault , why should they? so we had to choose blind from the menu. The food was pretty good actually but we just didn't feel welcome whereas normally we find the French delightful.

Busy but you should be able to dine without booking. This is a lunchtime venue and you will mix with lorry drivers, business people, council workers, gendarmes, locals and holiday makers. You start with a cold buffet (big choice) and, sometimes, soup as well. The main course choices usually amount to seven or eight. Dessert is yet another big choice and a carafe of local wine and coffee are included. The is a typical French luncheon restaurant with a lovely atmosphere and pleasant, efficient staff who speak a little English if that concerns you. Don't be put off by the petrol station alongside. There is a big car park. Great value for money.

Clean, friendly and nice atmosphere. Great choices on the daily menus and a very well presented buffet bar for starters. Wine and coffee included. We live 8 kms away and it is our number one lunchtime choice over the many other restaurants around.