Our favourite local restaurants..
Our corner of the Vaucluse is blessed with some of the finest restaurants in Provence. The following represent a small sample of our most local restaurants - many of them feature in our tour intineraries
St. Hubert, Entrechaux
This is just five minutes from La Madelène in the picturesque village of Entrechaux. Owned and operated by the same family, the Mourets, since 1929. Two big rooms with wood panneling, wisteria covered terrace, great menu and friendly service. Specialises in game dishes in season and a good selection of fish is always available. Specialities include civet de lievre or biche ( hare or female venison), a classic provencal beef daube, served in individual pots, terrine of sanglier ( wild boar) , assiette des fruits de mer ( shell fish platter ) and lobster with a fennil garnish. The service is excellent, the atmosphere informal, many french families of all generations enjoy this restaurant to celebrate fetes and birthdays and the like.
L'Oustelet, Gigondas
L'Oustalet is provencal for "small house". Located on the edge of the beautiful village square, under the majestic Dentelles de Monmirrail, this elegant restaurant is owned by Gabriel Meffre , the well known negociant and owner of estate Domain de Longue Toque. His chef is the talented Cyril Glemot. You can eat al fresco in the summer and enjoy their refined approach to Provencal classics accompanied by a choice of Gigondas wines from pretty well every producer in the appellation as well as other local Cotes du Rhones. Recent specialities include Duo de foie gras with a Beaumes de venise marmalade, roast pigeon, turbot with cannelloni, and for dessert an eclectic collection of 4 small dishes concocted from black olives, including ice cream : "Variations aux olives noire". Read more at www.restaurant-oustalet.fr
Le Laurier - Faucon
This is a really charming and authentic village restaurant offering Provencal classics in a delightful setting in a picture book stone village nestling beneath the north escarpment of Mt. Ventoux. The broad terrace allows most diners to overlook the village’s square and fountain. Food is well prepared, deliberately simple, recent visits included the Avignon version of a provencal daube , made with lamb rather than beef, and a confit de canard. Wines include the excellent organic range from Faucon's own La Roche Buissiere.
Verger des Papes - Chateauneuf du Pape
The setting of this restaurant, just beneath the ruin of the Pope's summer palace, as well as a terrace with a 360 degree panoramic view of the Rhone river down to Avignon, the Chateauneuf vineyards and the Dentelles/Mt. Ventoux to the west is to die for, never mind the food. In fact rest assured, the latter is well up to standard - the emphasis is on ingredients rather than presentation and so much the better for that. Recent "Menu de Verger" options have included excellent fish - dorade. lotte and dos de cabillaud. Naturally the wines of the villlage play a leading role , around 50 different producers, a few older vintages and always a Chateauneuf of the day , either red or white available by the glass. Read more about this great institution at www.vergerdespapes.com
Le Grand Pre - Roaix
A very sophisticated restaurant based just outside the village of Roaix and one of only two michelin starred establishments this side of Avignon. Set up in 2000 by a couple already very experienced in the catering business , Raoul and Flora Reichrath, the restaurant won its star in 2006. Raoul cooks whilst Flora acts as sommelier and front of house. Cuisine is a refined version of provencal classic dishes augmented by special sesonal "soiree" menus which focus on truffles in the autumn, asparagus in the spring and shellfish in the winter. There is a charming small patio for summer alfresco dining. Flora's wine selection is impecable...you would expext the mature vintages of Rayas and Beaucastel, but the list also embraces many smaller wines for instance a delcious Domaine des Travers white Rasteau and a fine Clos du Caveau Vacqueyras. More information at www.legrandpre.com
Place de Montford - Vaison la Romaine
Not so much a restaurant as an eating destination , this central square in Vaison la Romaine contains no less than 6 bustling brasserie/restaurants side by side on the north side of the "place". Which to choose? Our favourites: The Annexe for a hearty steak/frites, mixed chef salad or a great choucroute, but best of all the Lefare tea shop at the east end of this strip. Run by 3 very pleasant ladies this is a boulangerie/patisserie that also operates as a light lunchtime eatery ...perfect when you feel like nothing more challenging than an omelette (cooked to perfection..as are the frites) or a slice of nice style pizza: pissaladiere. They serve a great coffee creme and the kind of hot chocolate that has been simply melted in a pan. Naughty but...
Le Pistou - Chateauneuf du Pape
This is a small establishment in the centre of town, on an alley leading to the papal fortress. They serve simple but delicious local specialities such as paupiette d'agneau au basilic or monkfish in bouillabaisse sauce.Apparently this is where Mr.Parker stops for a bite when in the village, its without any pretension and great value.