Some Favourite Restaurants in Provence - Part 1

There are, quite literally, thousands of restaurants incontours of Les Baux looming overhead, is an
Provence!unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime (if rather extravagant)
Over the past couple of decades we’ve tried toexperience.
sample as many as humanly possible – but weLa Cabro d'Or
are beginning to realise that we’ve hardlyVal d'Enfer
scraped the surface!13520 Les-Baux-de-Provence
Here are some brief notes on just a selection of theBouches-du-Rhone
restaurants we have eaten in (and enjoyed!) over theTel: 04 90 54 33 21
last few years.URL:
Most of them are in the Vaucluse andThis charming hotel/restaurant is the younger and
Bouches-du-Rhone regions of Provence (our favorite(slightly) cheaper sibling of the renowned L'Oustau de
stamping grounds), with just the occasional foray intoBaumaniere (see above), just along the road. The
the Var and the Alpes Maritimes.beautiful setting, superb food and attentive service all
Some (not all) of the restaurants have their owncome highly recommended.
websites. These include photos, sample menus, wineBONNIEUX:
lists, etc. One or two even have virtual tours and onlineBastide de Capelongue
reservation facilities.Lieu dit Croupatiere
Please be advised these are not casual, informal84480 Bonnieux
places. While gentlemen may not be expected toVaucluse
wear a jacket and tie (except at the Louis XV inTel: 04 90 75 89 78
Monaco) you may be looked at somewhat askance ifURL:
you turn up in jeans and trainers. Aim for a smartAfter having made a name and enviable reputation for
casual look and you should be OK. And it’shimself at the Moulin de Lourmarin, handsome
always a good idea to telephone ahead to reserve asuper-chef Edouard Loubet has now moved a few
table.kilometres along the road to this sumptuous hotel
The arrangement is alphabetical by location.restaurant in Bonnieux. Loubet's cooking is as
AIX-EN-PROVENCE:innovative and inventive as ever - and his two Michelin
Le Clos de la Violettestars have swiftly followed him! Early reports are
Avenue de la Violetteecstatic.
13090 Aix-en-ProvenceCASSIS:
Bouches-du-RhoneNino
Tel: 04 42 23 30 71Quai de Barthélemy
URL:13260 Cassis
One of the best (and best-loved) restaurants inBouches-du-Rhone
Provence, Le Clos has one Michelin star and servesTel: 04 42 01 74 32
exquisite cuisine prepared with skill and panache by theURL:
proprietor, Jean-Marc Banzo. Set in a quiet, residentialThere are plenty of fish and seafood restaurants
corner of Aix, with an elegant terrace for summeralong the colorful, bustling harbor of this delightful little
dining, the food, wine and service are beyond reproach.town. This one is a little more sophisticated and
AVIGNON:up-market than most, with its bright Italianate decor,
Brunelfriendly staff, lovely food and superb local wines, all
Rue de la Balancepresided over by the charming, eagle-eyed, unflappable
84000 AvignonBruno. You will find most of the classic fish and
Vaucluseseafood dishes of Provence here: bouillabaisse,
Tel: 04 90 85 24 83bourride, sea bass, sea bream, red mullet, gambas, etc.
In his air-conditioned, contemporary restaurant in anDefinitely one of our personal favourites. Highly
arcade of shops not far from the palais des Papes,recommended. (Stop press: three superb
self-taught local chef Robert Brunel serves up a light,state-of-the-art rooms with breathtaking views of the
modern cuisine based around fresh local produce. Fishharbor and the sea cliffs beyond have just been
and vegetables predominate. Good value menus foradded. Check out the web site for photos and details.)
both lunch and dinner.CAVAILLON:
Christian EtiennePrévot
Rue de MonsAvenue de Verdun
84000 Avignon84300 Cavaillon
VaucluseVaucluse
Tel: 04 90 86 16 50Tel: 04 90 71 32 43
URL:In his sumptuous restaurant in a rather anonymous
Beautifully sited alongside the palais des Papes, thistown, Jean-Jacques Prévot serves up a range
elegant restaurant has one Michelin star and anof elegant, inventive dishes. The town is famous for its
enviable local reputation. The a la carte menu andmelons, and these feature widely (and imaginatively) on
several set-price options offer a wide choice ofthe menu.
specialities, including lobster, truffles and the famousEYGALIERES:
"all-tomato" menu in summer. Charming andLe Bistrot d'Eygalières
professional service. Great food. Great local wines.Rue de la Republique
Highly recommended.13810 Eygalières
Hiély-LucullusTel: 04 90 90 60 34
Rue de la RepubliqueURL:
84000 AvignonA bit of a misnomer, this is hardly a bistro, but a
Vauclusedecidedly upmarket restaurant serving superb food.
Tel: 04 90 86 17 07Prices are quite reasonable for the range and quality
A well-loved Avignon institution that has been servingof the food on offer, and the wine list is a veritable
businessmen and local families for over 60 yearstreasure-trove of local wines. (Stop Press: This
(although now under new management and with arestaurant has just been awarded its second Michelin
new chef). It's rather inconguously sited above a shopstar!)
on Avignon's main street, but don't let that put you off.L'ISLE SUR LA SORGUE:
Prices are extremely reasonable, and the food isLe Jardin du Quai
delicious and plentiful. A good place for Sunday lunch.91 avenue Julien Guige
LES-BAUX-DE PROVENCE:84800 L'Isle sur la Sorgue
L'Oustau de BaumanièreVaucluse
Val d'EnferTel: 04 90 20 14 98
13520 Les-Baux-de-ProvenceYoung super-chef Daniel Hebet - who made such a
Bouches-du-Rhonename for himself at the luxurious Hotel de la Mirande in
Tel: 04 90 54 33 07Avignon some years ago - has now set up shop in
URL:this delightful, antique-laden town. This is a much
One of the jewels in the Provençal gastronomicsimpler, more informal place, but with the occasional
crown, this is a truly world-class restaurant and hotel -haute cuisine flourish. Lovely, imaginative, market-fresh
with prices to match! It has two Michelin stars and andishes with little (if any) choice. Four courses for about
international clientele, and lunching or dining here,40 euros. Don't miss it!
preferably on the beautiful terrace with the dramatic