Restaurant L’Echiquier, Sedan, France

Today a major winter storm whirls around me, blanketing everything in sight with a fluffy layer of white, meringue-like peaks. So I’ve decided to escape for a bit to a beautiful, warm, summer’s day. I was in Sedan, France last July and had one final evening to myself before embarking on a rowing tour with 79 other people. The tour promised bare bones accommodation (cots in community centre gymnasiums) so I was treating myself to a night at the fantastic Hôtel Le Château Fort de Sedan. I had been informed upon check-in that their dining room was fully booked for dinner that night. So I decided to look for a spot in town.

The Chessboard

Thanks to a quick web search, I discovered what looked like a very promising option: Restaurant L’Echiquier – The Chessboard. And conveniently, it was located just outside the walls of the Château. So when dinnertime came, I exited the medieval fortress through a winding, cobble-stoned tunnel, coming out on a picturesque view of this historic town. I could easily have been forgiven for believing that I had stepped back in time. 

Surf and Turf

A sharp left and a few hundred metres along promenoir des Prêtres – Walk of the Priests – I came upon the lovely, pale aubergine umbrellas and bright, lime green chairs of the restaurant’s bustling terrace. Given that it was full, I was offered a table indoors and sat down to peruse the menu. L’Echiquier’s website had promised a seasonal menu of traditional dishes made with local, market-fresh ingredients and a touch of the Mediterranean. It did not disappoint. I started with l’Assiette Terre et Mer – the Surf and Turf Plate. It was a wonderfully refreshing combination of chilled carpaccio and shrimp salads. Perfect for a warm summer evening.

Magret

I love duck, especially when prepared à la Française. So when I saw ‘Magret de Canard aux myrtilles’ – ‘Duck Breast with Blueberries’ – on the menu, my choice of entrée was an easy one. And delicious too! Perfectly cooked with  crispy skin and rosy flesh, it was moist and tender. And the blueberry compote complemented it beautifully. I had paired it with a lovely white Sancerre, my favourite French wine, and the combination was wonderful!

A Heavenly Cloud

The question now was: did I have room for dessert? The answer: bien sûr – of course! The dessert menu consisted of a variety of favourites such as Tiramisu and Crème Brûlée. But I was intrigued by ‘l’Oeuf à la Neige Maison’ – ‘Egg in the Snow’ – a heavenly meringue cloud bathing in a pool of crème anglaise and topped with toasted almonds and honey. It was a true delight, especially when paired with a beautiful glass of Armagnac – that wonderful brandy from the Gascony region of France. An amazing end to a fabulous meal!Restaurant L’Echiquier is a family owned and operated affair and I was graciously served by two generations throughout my meal. As I sat savouring the last of my Armagnac, my dessert plate having been cleared, I was pleasantly reminded that, in a French restaurant, the last items to be removed from the table are the wine and the bread.

Restaurant L’Echiquier  7, promenoir des Prêtres – 08200 SEDAN