A lovely café-épicerie founded by three cool girls: Solange Gelblat (a former journalist, and the founder of Après l’École in Saint Cyr-la-Rosière), Marine Reed (ex-D’une Île in Rémalard) and Ingrid Heuel (who used to work in marketing). In their luminous space with windows on either side, Scandinavian-inspired decor and locally sourced goods, the small but well-stocked épicerie corner and its terrace give out onto the market square. And the menu of simple dishes (quinoa salad with spinach, red onion, feta and mint; sweet potato soup; grilled chuck steak with sesame seeds and an herb sauce; lentil, lemongrass and coconut milk dahl…) is prepared using local products by Ghizlaine and Lola… Victims of their success late in the day when we went, all we were able to taste (and devour!) was the chef’s terrine, served with homemade pickles, and good bread from Maison Pichard in Authon-du-Perche, plus a mouthwatering slice of carrot cake with a thick layer of frosting. Lunch combo menus and sandwiches to go served from Wednesday to Friday. // Marcelle Claudepierre 

FEELING THIRSTY? Lattes (€4), spritzes (€9) and a few bottles of wine – L’Originel, a Roussette-de-Savoie from the Château de Lucey (€5.40 a glass) or a Canet Valette Saint-Chinian (€5.10). 
PRICE: À la carte €25-35, sandwiches €8, set menus to go €12-16.