Now in its 35th year, La Raclette is ideally located in the heart of the restaurant quartier of Bordeaux and is easy to find between the historic Place de la Bourse and Place du Parliament.

Traditional Raclette is served with a variety of cold meats but recently the restaurant has also introduced smoked salmon or the vegetarian selection with a variety of fresh sauteed vegetables. As the menu points out, 'You eat to your heart's content!'

If you're not up to the 'Big Cheese' try a fondue, either beef, duck or cheese. You can cook your fondue meat selections in oil or a delicious red wine broth.

Raclette also offers 'Pierrades' or cooking at your table on flat marble stone. Enjoy thinly sliced beef, duck or chicken accompanied by a selection of fresh market vegetables.

What is Raclette anyway? Raclette is a Savoy cheese but it also refers to the meal and the dining experience. At each table there is a giant cheese cradled in its own Raclette cheese device and melting contraption. Throughout the evening, one melts the cheese over potatoes or any other food on ones plate. It's lots of fun to relax with friends and experience this truly authentic hands on French meal - a great destination for families too.

The restaurant's charming Irish owner and hostess presides over a happy international clientele and can help you through the many choices on the menu.

This is a popular restaurant so reservations made after 5 pm by phone are advised.

On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, there are two sittings for dinner, 7 pm and 10 pm. Lunches are served only on weekends from 12 to 2 pm. During the week take advantage of the 'Happy Hour Menu' 6:30 to 8:15 where a full dinner is specially priced including an aperitif and coffee.

La Raclette has invented its own desert, the Fruit Tartiflette, a creation of fresh fruit, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce covered in a saboyon sauce and then put under the broiler - delicious and amazingly light.

Among the other traditional deserts there is the classic chocolate fondue but the challenge is out to invent the Raclette desert! Suggest one for La Raclette and if it flies there's immortal fame and a free meal! I'm thinking apple pie and cheesy thing.... marshmallows? Don't even go down that goopy road! En sante!