Brittany Ferries

It was regular Megabytes contributor Leslie Williams who first alerted us to the culinary quality evident on Brittany Ferries, but even though we were forewarned, we were still blown away by the sheer élan of the cooking when we travelled over to France last year.

If you expect to have "ferry" food on any and every ferry, ie, stuff from a freezer heated in a microwave oven that has no provenance other than a close relationship with plastic packaging, then think again: Brittany Ferries give you real cooking, executed with flair and served with more than a little style, as the ship stealthily makes its way southwards.

We had a perfect whole roasted shoulder of lamb, served with a fresh mint sauce, with beautiful pommes frites, served on a wooden platter. Not only that, but they also have an excellent and idiosyncratic selection of wines to choose from. Sailing across the sea, you feel that you are already in France, and the children’s cooking is no less accomplished. Travellers should note that Brittany Ferries experts get on the boat and immediately form a queue to reserve their seat in the restaurant: this is the smart thing to do, although the food in the more informal café is still of exceptional quality. Breakfasts are great, and this is just the sort of treat that makes travel a sheer pleasure. With their grand new ship, the Pont-Aven, newly in commission, this is one dynamic operation, and the only way to get to France for the summer vacances.
www.brittanyferries.com