While at Saint Denis sur Loire, we were happy to find out that Le Grand Atelier, a gastronomic restaurant, had a table for two available for that night. The restuarant is next to the atelier of painter Bernard Lordjou which explains its name. 
The dining room is beautiful, decorated in shades of grey and white. The tablecloths run down to the floor and the chairs are covered with pale grey covers, some with stripes, some plain. 
A lace tablecloth on top of the cotton tablecloth contributes to the feeling of a refined atmosphere. The silver ware is plain as well as the plates.
Once we had chosen our menu, advised by Sophie Perron, (I opted for the day's menu at Euros 30) we were served a mise-en-bouche made of tomato sherbet decorated with a confit tomato, in a delicate verrine with a sliver spoon. 
The appetizer was served in a rectangular glass dish. It was a duck terrine, gracefully served with a toast of brown bread that hid a slice of foie gras on a bed of artichoke hearts, and confit onions (a bit too sweet for me). The foie gras was a regal (my husband ordered the menu at Euros 45 with foie gras as appetizer).
My main course was fish: a fillet of sandre (a fine fish from the Loire river) served on a bed of white beans, with a delicious sauce, and mussels around the fish portion. The fish was cooked to perfection.
My dessert was a fruit cocktail served in a tall glass, toppled with a light crumble, whipped cream, strawberry coulis, and a strawberry. A delicate scoop of strawberry ice cream was served on a Chinese spoon next to the fruit verrine.
Coffee was a cafe gourmand, since it was served with several delicious bouchees of pate de fruit (fruit candy), financier (a cake made with almond powder and butter), and a tart.
We had a local red wine from AOC Cheverny, called ... Terra Laura of Domaine de Montcy. I could not not order it! It is a blend of pinot noir and gamay, a typical grape from the area.
The dining room is beautiful, decorated in shades of grey and white. The tablecloths run down to the floor and the chairs are covered with pale grey covers, some with stripes, some plain. A lace tablecloth on top of the cotton tablecloth contributes to the feeling of a refined atmosphere. The silver ware is plain as well as the plates. Once we had chosen our menu, advised by Sophie Perron, (I opted for the day's menu at Euros 30) we were served a mise-en-bouche made of tomato sherbet decorated with a confit tomato, in a delicate verrine with a sliver spoon. The appetizer was served in a rectangular glass dish. It was a duck terrine, gracefully served with a toast of brown bread that hid a slice of foie gras on a bed of artichoke hearts, and confit onions (a bit too sweet for me). The foie gras was a regal (my husband ordered the menu at Euros 45 with foie gras as appetizer).My main course was fish: a fillet of sandre (a fine fish from the Loire river) served on a bed of white beans, with a delicious sauce, and mussels around the fish portion. The fish was cooked to perfection.My dessert was a fruit cocktail served in a tall glass, toppled with a light crumble, whipped cream, strawberry coulis, and a strawberry. A delicate scoop of strawberry ice cream was served on a Chinese spoon next to the fruit verrine.Coffee was a cafe gourmand, since it was served with several delicious bouchees of pate de fruit (fruit candy), financier (a cake made with almond powder and butter), and a tart.We had a local red wine from AOC Cheverny, called ... Terra Laura of Domaine de Montcy. I could not not order it! It is a blend of pinot noir and gamay, a typical grape from the area. Mr and Ms Perron surely deserve praise for their job at Le Grand Atelier!
The following day we went to the Domaine de Montcy to buy a few bottles of this "cuvee". The Domaine is located at La Porte Dore, outside the town of Cheverny. If you visit the domaine you will feel welcome and will find people passionate about wine.
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