If you don’t think you can make it to Mortagne-au-Perche for the blood sausage festival, at least make an appearance at La Vie en Rouge! Behind its wine-red façade and its old-school windows, Gers-native Philippe Ribaut has a thousand delicacies tucked away (canned goods and bottles of wine on the shelves, charcuterie and cheeses in a refrigerated counter), which can be taken to go or eaten in-house at lunchtime, seated around big wooden tables. The day we went, we opted for: exquisite Kintoa blood pudding from Christian Aguerre that was reheated on the grill to enhance the spices; tender Cantabrian octopus cooked simply and served in warm slices; bellota ham from Burgos with tender fat, sliced upon ordering; before delicious desserts from the Beillevaire cheesemongers – chocolate mousse, rice pudding… // M.B.
FEELING THIRSTY? There’s a naughty selection from the owner: Attention Chenin Méchant, a Loire white from Nicolas Réau (€5 a glass); La Grange aux Belles, a Loire red; or a Côtes-du-Rhône red from the Domaine Gramenon (€4)…
PRICE: Plates €7-30, desserts €4.
