It is a place to have a drink or eat very popular with Nantes residents and tourists alike. In Nantes, Quai des Antilles, the Cantine du Voyage reopens its doors this Friday, June 3 until September 25. This ephemeral place has existed since 2013, in the wake of Voyage à Nantes.
No skewer with chicken from Ancenis because of avian flu
A place with a guinguette spirit on the banks of the Loire that pleases. In 2019, before the Covid therefore, some 100,000 covers were served in four months. There are play areas, a vegetable garden nearby, deckchairs and above all large wooden tables for taste roast chicken from Ancenis. A unique, local dish that has contributed to the success of the place. But that was before. In 2022, it’s over.
In fact, Philippe Clément, who managed the place, to wish to hand over. The Direction du Voyage à Nantes therefore launched a call for tenders won by SAS VO, an association of the companies Connect and Novas. “We have new operators, so they do it their own way. And then 10 years of grilled chicken, that’s fine”said with a smile Jean Blaise, the boss of Voyage à Nantes.
The newcomers to the adventure offer skewers, in three forms. “We have a vegetarian skewer because we are a territory of market gardeners and we will rely on the products of Oliver Durand, based in Sorinières. There will be a mackerel skewer with the auctions of the sector for fresh products every morning. And one with marinated chicken, but it won’t be chicken from Ancenis unfortunately, because our breeders have been hit hard by avian flu. But it will be French chicken”Explain Anthony Barraud, entrepreneur from Nantes and one of the directors of Novas.
The other criterion set by Voyage à Nantes is the cost, which must be affordable. It will be 14 euros for lunch and dinner with the skewer, seasonal vegetables and baby potatoes, a local drink too (beer, cider, wine…) and a dessert from the Le Baulois pastry shop, a chocolate fondant. Until now, it was 14 euros in the evening, 11 at noon. A “child” formula at 10 euros is created. If you take your cup for the drink, a discount of 50 cents will be applied. Action for the wallet, but also for the environment and avoid disposable cups.
In “restaurant” mode with the skewer plate from June 27th
This Friday, June 3, the Canteen opens but only for the bar and aperitif boards. At that time, there will be 18 employees. The skewers will be to be discovered starting June 27. The workforce will then increase to 35 people “and no worries about recruiting” says the new team, while many professionals in the sector are struggling to find seasonal workers. Some customers in the past have complained about the slowness of the service – the catering part can accommodate 400 people at the same time – so no more table service, make way for the XXL self-service. “And we are in the canteen spirit”points out Anthony Barraud.
Another change also on the “animations” part. Exit the game of balls part. Make way for a space that will host DJs on Friday and Saturday evenings. “With music for the general public on Fridays, and urban music on Saturdays”details Nicolas Viande, a figure – like his partner Julien Laffeach – of Nantes electro culture. “To attract, you have to renew yourself, make new proposals, but the spirit of the Canteen remains there”, assures Jean Blaise. La Colline, a children’s play area, remains in place, as does a corner with table football and the vegetable garden nearby. Olga Barazer, from a family of market gardeners, will take care of it and will be there to answer questions from visitors.
– (photo courtesy of Voyage à Nantes)