Le 35, 11370 Leucate Village

Leucate-Village is the shopping destination for the low-key seaside resort of Leucate-Plage which is about 2 miles down the road and one of my favourite beaches in the area.  The village is very picturesque with brightly painted houses,  a profusion of flowers and lots of attractive restaurants and bars, as well as several excellent food stores.  You wander from one little square to the next, just enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of a place where taking your time does not seem to be a problem!

Le 35 is a new restaurant which opened this Spring on the  palm tree-shaded  Place de la Republique in the middle of the village, surrounded by tall old local houses and lots of greenery. .  There is a large shaded terrace as well as an attractive inside dining room  with an interesting glass floor, and on the two occasions that I went there this summer I  really enjoyed the food and the welcoming atmosphere.

The menus change weekly  and understandably the most popular offering seemed to be the 3 course menu, including wine and coffee, priced at Euros 16!  The menu on one of my visits started with either mackerel pate or tomato tart, followed by Beef stew in wine or fillet of pollack  with fettucini.  The desserts were carpaccio of pineapple or cafe liegois – what more tempting offerings could you wish for? The food is unpretentious but of good quality and attractively presented and Le 35 is the perfect destination if you are on a seaside outing.

There is also a varied a la carte menu – for example  the table next door to us was having lobster and a shell fish platter – and the cuisine is advertised as traditional with all fresh produce.  And with the local fish and oyster markets open every day, there is definitely no question about the freshness of the seafood!