Auberge de la Croix Blanche

The service was warm and attentive to the little things that make you feel welcome. We had a lovely lunch with my in-law family, and the food was fantastic. I'd be happy to return.

The New Year's Eve meal was a lovely way to finish a turbulent year, and the whole dinner felt well balanced. We were staying in Villarepos, near Lake Murten and Avenches, at Auberge de la Croix Blanche. The owners, Madame Abächerli, our hostess, and her husband, the chef, were so warm and helpful. The renovated barn has cozy, modern rooms, while the restaurant serves gourmet classic brasserie food with an upper-country bistro feel. We didn't get to see the garden, which sounds like a lovely summer-evening spot. We started inside with champagne and a roe deer carpaccio amuse-bouche that I loved. Oxtail over fluffy mashed potatoes with a little Buddha‘s hand came next, followed by another champagne and marinated Scottish salmon with guacamole, Jogurt, sweet mustard, dill and sweet potato chips. It was excellent and nicely seasoned. For the mains we shared a Chambolle-Musigny from the Côtés des Nuits. The sea bass had crisp skin and was cooked perfectly, with baby spinach, topinambour chips and a lobster bisque I could happily have eaten by the bowlful. That was my favorite dish. The veal filet mignon was tender, with blanchette, a well-made veal jus, fingernudel and tasty vegetables. The creamy kale was especially good. We finished with regional cheeses, including gruyere and blue cheese, though I can't remember all their names, alongside homemade nut bread and pickled pear. Dessert was a pear coffee tartelette with rosemary ice-cream. I'd gladly recommend the restaurant and come back to enjoy it in summer.

The service is friendly and very good, and the food is consistently tasty and nicely presented.

Really great dishes, lovely people, and a wonderful place to stay. Thank you!