Gastronomy

I am going to tell you about the typical meals of Picardy and Amiens and more about some restaurants, especially for those who plan on visiting as tourists.

Picardy has wonderful traditional cooking, but simple, based on their wheat fields and their agricultural lands.

The entire region of Somme has an incredible garden, agriculture, and vegetables. To prove this, I only have to name the delicious local vegetables: carrots, watercress, endives, fennel, rhubarb, and apples which they grow both for cider and for dessert. Some local foods from the Somme region include eel, trout, carp, pike, the pike-perch, and soups that will make flavorful fricassees. Along the coast, some typical fish from the sea include the lenguado flatfish, flounder, herring, and bar.

Picardy has plenty of excellent seafood and out of the specialties, the best are the pickled herring of Abbeville, and don't forget the traditional beaten cake. Do not leave without trying Amiens' duck cake. Finally, the cider is the traditional drink of the region. The "ficelle picarde" is a thin cake, a kind of crêpe stuffed with ham, mushrooms, and béchamel (French white sauce), baked in the oven. I tried it during my first few days here and it was good, except it tasted a bit too much of mushrooms for my taste, but if you like them, you will like the cake for sure.

The "flamiche aux poireaux" is a savory Leek tart that is offered in almost all the restaurants in Picardy.

The "gâteau battu" is a biscuit made with a flour base, eggs, and butter.

But the one dish that best characterizes this region are the "macarons d'Amiens", a type of dessert made of marzipan and chocolate bits, which is very popular with all the Amiens locals and anyone who visits.

Finally, this is not a local Amiens dish but it is popular throughout France: the famous "macarons".

They are a type of cookie made with egg, almonds, and sugar. Its origin dates back to the 18th century, in the French court, when it looked more like a meringue. Today, you can try them in many different flavors.

Do not confuse them with the sweets that have a similar name—those are called "macaroons. "

Macarons are like cookies made with two hard bases, but crisp, and in between the bases, a cream of different texture and taste. On the other hand, macaroons are small cupcakes made from coconut and almonds.

For fans of the famous series, "Gossip Girl" (like I am), macarons are those famous pastries that Blair Waldorf eats in the fourth and fifth season from pretty boxes haha.

Also, the waffle and crêpe stands are very common, and their smell attracts everyone that passes by the stall. You can choose between Nutella, white chocolate...

For any chocolate or sweets lovers, you cannot leave without entering or at least looking in the window of the best pastry shop, in my opinion, in Amiens: Jean Trogneux, with five generations of experience. Without a doubt, these are the best chocolates I have ever eaten in my life. Its showcase, filled with funny chocolate figurines, attract everyone that passes through "Trois Cailleux" street.

The wine that France is most known for is champagne, and the most famous ones from Picardy are: Champagne Valérie Van Gysel, Champagne Fallet Michel, Champagne Serge Hourdry, Champagne Michel Michaux, Champagne Paillette, Champagne Christian Briard, Champagne Bernard Mante, Champagne Couvent Lémery, Champagne Leclerc Mondet, Champagne Sourdet-Diot, Champagne Lequeux Mercier, Champagne Leclerc Drouillet, Champagne Paul Leredde, Champagne Météyer Père et Fils, Champagne de Rekeneire-Petit...

Restaurants:

• Au relais des Orfèvres:

After visiting the magnificent cathedral, you can go to this contemporary restaurant filled with the colors gray and red to try a modern meal, although the prices are a little bit high.

Prices: Lunch 23€, drink included - Menu: 30€/ 52€ - A la carte: 50€/60€

Website: http://www.restaurant-relais-orfevres.fr/

Address : 14 r. des Orfèvres F - 80000 Amiens

• L'Orée de la Hotoie:

A small family-style restaurant with views of Hotoia Park, where you can try an elaborate seasonal meal.

Menu: 20€ (weekday), 29€ - 56€ - A la carte: 28€/66€

Address : 17 r. Jean-Jaurès F - 80000 Amiens

• Le Bouchon:

Le Bouchon is a traditional restaurante in the city, elegant and contemporary.

It is famous for its traditional dishes and its Suggestion of the Day that you can see written on the board in the entrance.

Menu: 18€ (weekday), 26€ - 50€ - A la carte: 30€/60€

Address: 10 r. A. -Fatton F - 80000 Amiens

• Le vivier:

In English, it means "The Pond. " Le Vivier is a restaurant specializing in fish and seafood, is situated by a pond, from which it gets its name.

Lunch 20€ - Menu: 28€ (weekday), 43€ - 75€ - A la carte: 50€/100€.

Address: 593 rte de Rouen F - 80000 Amiens.

• La table du Marais:

In the entrance of the city you can find this restaurant, simple but charming.

During beautiful sunny days you can enjoy a view from the terrace overlooking the marsh and gardens, and during the winter you can take refuge together with friends by the fire.

Lunch 23€ - Menu: 27€ (lunch during the week) / 32€ - A la carte: 50€/68€.

Address: 472 chaussée Jules-Ferry F - 80000 Amiens.

• L'Aubergade:

L'Aubergade is a restaurant on the outskirts of Amiens, and its interior is minimal and elegant, designed by the interior designer, Xavier Coornaert.

You can enjoy an attractive and modern seasonal meal.

Menu: 42€/ 78€ - A la carte: 73€/95€.

Address: 78 rte Nationale F - 80480 Dury.

• La Bonne Auberge:

It is a restaurant on the outskirts of the city, and is impeccably rural and usually filled with flowers in the summer. It features contemporary cuisine complemented by exotic and creative touches.

A la carte: 25€/35€.

Address: 63 rte Nationale F - 80480 Dury.

• Le Mandagon:

It is a Chinese restaurant located in the Amiens Station, with very affordable prices and a buffet for 12 euros (drinks not included).

• Chez tung:

A Vietnamese restaurant in the center, Chez tung has very cheap prices, compared to the rest of Amiens.

The menu is between 5 and 16 euros.

• La Majorelle:

This Moroccan restaurant is also in the Amiens station; it is a family-style restaurant with very attentive servers and a good meal at affordable prices.

• Brasserie Jules:

A typical French restaurant, it is located in the very center of the city with very good food, but at higher prices.

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