Le Diligence chez "Annie" in Chene-Bourg (SW) is just over the border from Annemasse (FR) where I was staying: I wanted to park near the "temple" where I was assisting at an enterrement and not have to worry about time. This place looked perfect: traditional food, game in season and nearby.
I tried calling, my hotel tried calling; they don't answer the phone and their website said - "one must reserve". So I went a bit early for France but not Switzerland, where they actually go to work at 6:30 AM.
Big sign on door: we don't accept credit cards - Merde! - I have no Swiss francs (well only 4.05 SWF), no Swiss bank check but lots of Euros. Enter; approach Annie who really looks stern at my explanations of (1) trying to reserve (flicking her mobile lying on a nearby table like an errant fly) and (2) having none of the world's premium reserve currency; waves me away; but no, she's waving me towards a table.
Kinda cool place, wood beams albeit new; full to bursting at 12h15 with locals - bums, workmen, businessmen, couples, friends; OK.
Look at the menu, civet de chevreuil (love) with spaetzle (hate), red cabbage (love) and red-wine-soaked pear (love). OK, order that plus a green salad to start (drenched in dressing but quite good for such a drenching). Quite nice.
With a 5 dl carafe of an open Goron red, no bottled water, an eau de vie de coing in honor of my dear, near, recently departed friend and a coffee, my bill was 73.30 Swiss Francs; now Annie struts her stuff - "how much is 73.30 Swiss Francs in Euros" she demands of a local sitting 2 feet away - and he snaps back - "72 E." Done.
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