While in Étretat we stayed in Dormy House, which stands on top of the cliffs thus providing a great view. Since walking forever in the afternoon I figured we deserved a drink on the terrace at least before heading out for dinner. A curious sea gull kept coming closer and checked what we had. When we got peanuts with our second drink, I tossed it one and, lo and behold, the bird ate it.
view on the town below @Étretat
After two aperitifs on the terrace I was ready for dinner but in no mood to walk back into town. Instead we decided to splurge and eat at the traditional restaurant of Dormy House (the bistro was already closed I believe). Since we already stayed at this place, why not live the high life and also eat here?
the empty restaurant the next morning @Dormy House
The sunset view was as fabulous as my dinner. Like every other place in France Dormy House offered a menu with different starters and main dishes to choose from. Being in Normandy meant that I started with fresh oysters, while my friend ate cured pollack. I ate the oysters with just a bit of lemon juice. There’s nothing better than eating them with no frills!
oysters no. 3 for starter @Dormy House
The pollack arrived with strawberries and peas, the peas in two versions. Whole and as a fine mash with crispy mustard on the side as garnish. Compared to the oysters it seemed a bit puny, but the pollack in combination with the sweet berries and the crisp peas was delectable.
pollack with strawberries and peas @Dormy House
As a main course I ate monkfish medallions with saffron mussels sauce and a leek gratin. It didn’t look pretty, especially the gratin and colors blended in each other. The fish had firm texture, but was still juicy and the buttery saffron sauce provided a bit of extra flavor. The gratin was a nice addition as well as the sweet potato mash, but the star was the monkfish. The overall taste was good, but I would have enjoyed a nicer presentation of my plate.
monkfish with saffron mussel sauce and leek gratin @Dormy House
My friend got tuna, done in two different ways. One version was a tartar and the other one a steak. I didn’t care much for the steak, although it was well presented and looked enticing. Personally I always think it is a shame to grill such a perfect piece of fish!
tuna steak @Dormy House
But the tartar tasted wonderful. It was well marinated and the tuna was generously cut. Quite the treat!
tuna tartar @Dormy House
Since the Normandy is best known for its apples and milk, we shared a cheese plate together. Three different sample of the best of Normandy’s raw milk cheeses. I left the bread aside and sampled these beauties as best as I could without it. The cheese course in Normandy is not to be missed!
raw milk cheese course @Dormy House
For dessert I had ordered something with fennel honey, a specialty of Normandy. While it looked certainly enticing, its taste was rather plain. The subtle taste of fennel was lost on me, it tasted of honey and that even just lightly.
Le miel de fenouil @Dormy House
My friend ordered an apple dessert, which was like a small Tarte Tartin with a dreamy caramel sauce. That’s something to be remembered for the next Normandy visit, always stick with the apples for dessert. You can’t go wrong with them. This definitely the better dessert and it was delicious!
La Pomme @Dormy House
It was a memorable meal, mainly because of the view on the cliffs of Étretat. I can definitely recommend the restaurant at Dormy House, although not all the dishes were to my liking. If you stick to the simpler things, you will fare better. As seen with our meal, the oysters and the the Tarte Tartin were certainly memorable. Combine this with the sunset view and you are in for a treat. Yours, Pollybert
Dormy House – The Traditional Restaurant
76790 Etretat, Route du Havre
Tel: + 33 2 35270788
Email: info@dormy-house.com
Mon-Sun: 12:00-14:30, 19:00-21:30
https://www.dormy-house.com/en/restaurant-etretat-vue-mer/hotel-restaurant-etretat/
