If you are curious, you have noticed that the ornithological park “Les Oiseaux du Marais Poitevin” à Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud is one of the must-sees in our region. With its 70 species of birds as well as abundant flora spread over 8 hectares, our eyes have something to marvel at.
But, today, if I come to talk to you about this, it is because there is something new at Parc Ornitho': the restaurant with local flavors.
01. Meeting with David Hervouet, farmer – restaurateur
Initially, David was passionate about vegetables, the marsh and its vegetation. After his studies, he set off to discover many countries such as the Netherlands, Tanzania and New Caledonia. These trips allowed him to discover and learn how organic farming works: a culture adapted to its environment. Returning from his journey, David returns more enriched than ever; he found an agricultural technique in harmony with his ideas. This is how the objective of a locavore* table was born. What he wanted above all was to share this passion for good vegetables, raised organically and in line with seasonality. Being able to feed visitors to the ornithological park from his parents seasonal products and thus give meaning to the plate (don't eat tomatoes in the middle of winter for example!).
*Locavore: who only consumes local products, produced a short distance from their home (Source: www.linternaute.com/).
02. Objective achieved!
With ambition, David is very proud to have achieved his goal. At the start of the 2015 season, the restaurant opens its doors. After a year of work, the park has regained its calm. The vegetables served on the plates are mainly those from the Ornithological Park, grown organically, because the treatments used are prepared in part with wild plants from the Marais. We also find these wild plants on our plates, for example they decorate our salads and vary according to the season. Like the stuffed Poitevin made with nettles which is one of the dishes of the moment. All this accompanied by local products such as goat cheese from the production “Les fromages d’Emma” located in Saint-Hilaire-la-Palud.
03. The main dishes:
Here are some dishes from the menu that your taste buds can taste.
- The Maraichine plate: raw vegetables from the vegetable garden, mixed green salad, traditional Vendée ham, goat cheese from “Les fromages d’Emma” production
- The traditional plate: raw vegetables from the vegetable garden, mixed green salad, organic mogettes from Arçais produced by animal traction (using a horse and not a tractor!), Poitevin stuffed with nettle, chicken liver terrine with pineau
• The dessert that is all the rage: farmhouse white cheese from Benon (from cows which are still in the meadows and which do not eat corn!), angelica jam from Pierre Thonnard, candied angelica and “homemade” pineau country cake.
The coffee is organic and fair trade (and yes, no coffee trees grow in the marsh yet!).
Grab your forks!
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