Le Hamelin, Honfleur, France

It is always difficult to choose a restaurant when there are so many along the street. And this is what we found in Honfleur. We finally went into Le Hamelin as our indecision was frustrating us and it was nearing the end of lunch time service.

A rather formal restaurant, the tables were laid with linen cloths and wine glasses. Other children were in the restaurant and there was a relaxed atmosphere. We were not offered theu children's menu, but it was given upon request. It was very basic, paté for starters, steak haché for the main course and ice cream for dessert. No other choices.

In many ways, it is a relief when children's menus do not have any fried or breaded items on them. Our experience in France has left me with mixed feelings. Restaurants refreshingly rarely include breaded or deep fried items, usually offering smaller portions of the main menu: poached fish, steak, chicken dishes and pasta. A down side is that they rarely seem to offer a vegetable, alongside the frites or pasta.

Our eight year old went for the children's menu (this was for under tens). The cheapest steak "à la carte" was the same price as the cheapest prix fixe menu, which included the same steak dish! Hence we ordered from the 16.50 euros set menu for us both and our 11 year old. The paté proved unpopular with the children. Sadly a large slab was wasted. The fish soup was tasty, if very fishy and salty. All the main courses were enjoyed: chicken in a cider cream sauce with mustard mash, steak haché and chips, and steak and chips. Rather fussy mounds of  finely chopped mixed vegetables were served with the steak. A few simply served vegetables would have been welcomed by my daughter. Our desserts as part of the set menu were fine: a small apple charlotte, ice cream and fromage blanc with a raspberry coulis.

This meal out was a treat, as we had self-catered for most of our holiday. Finally our three course meal for the four of us, including wine, coffee and service came to 73.50 euros. We reconciled the cost as we were in Honfleur, that beautiful town, eating out at a French restaurant, the sun was shining and we were on holiday...

Le Hamelin 16, Place Hamelin, Honfleur 14600