"L'Escale"

If you're looking for an address where quality products go hand in hand with masterful cuisine, don't miss À Côté de Chez Fred in Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Situated in an alleyway by the harbor, this confidential restaurant welcomes you in a chic, modern atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trade, with a cosy dining room or a charming shaded terrace. The real stars here are the fish. They are expertly prepared, with each dish sublimating the freshness and quality of the product. Gilles, a passionate chef and master saucier, knows how to reveal all the nuances of fillets of sea bass, turbot or sole, offering plates that are both tasty and delicate. Carefully selected local meats and vegetables complete the gastronomic experience. "Sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the port, A Côté de Chez Fred is an off-the-beaten-track address. Generous and iconoclastic, chef Gilles is what we call "a personality". He cooks fish and second degrees in his own way, which is to say, like no one else, with a consummate art of seasoning that twists the dish without drowning the fish, which is always cooked to perfection." The menu evolves daily, with homemade foie gras, langoustines, fish and shellfish to tantalize your taste buds. To round off the meal, refined desserts such as tarte Tatin or moelleux au chocolat Valrhona crown the experience... "The menu changes daily according to new arrivals and inspiration. The desserts are not to be outdone, with a Paulova of anthology.* With over 600 references in its cellar, À Côté de Chez Fred is also ideal for groups and private events. "As for the cellar, visible behind a glass roof and surrounded by a stunning collection of works of art, it's the most beautiful on the island. The place to be for lovers of fine food and honesty. Timeless. Not to be missed. An address to remember for all lovers of generous cuisine and exceptional products.