It is 26 degrees in the shade. In the market square dogs tongues hanging out lie with their backs to walls trying to escape the rays. Stall holders mutter and shake their heads as the ice from the fish counter melts, trickling down onto the cobbles and cheese ripens and softens.
The sky is deep blue and cloudless in Ludlow, Shropshire on the sort of day that you feel smug that you are holidaying in this country.
Ludlow has been called the food capital of England. Tucked away on Tower Street is The French Pantry bistro and deli.
Inside this small bistro the greeting is welcoming and the decor inviting. The reasonable priced lunch menu has ample but not excessive choice. Eight starters include haddock rillettes, warm gateau of crab with saffron sauce and french onion soup.
Freshly cooked warm bread and sparkling water arrived promptly. We opted for a pichet of french sauvignon blanc 50cl for £9.95
We skipped the starters and went straight to the main courses, Fish and Seafood pie, Toulouse Sausage with mustard sauce and Cassoulet all sounded tempting. However our choices did not disappoint.
Plump shiny mussels in a traditional mariniere sauce were served with sizzling frites. Confit canard came with velvety aioli and the piquant chicken 'basquaise' with garlic sautéed potatoes. All were perfectly cooked and delicious.
Mellow coffee was served in individual cafetieres and there was plenty of it.
The French Pantry opened in 2007 as a combined shop and small restaurant importing from small French provincial food and wines producers. Last month they expanded the shop and moved it next door with a small cafe at the back. The restaurant grew to fill the vacated space.
It is well worth a visit
www.thefrenchpantry.co.uk/
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