Provence Food in a More Casual “Ambiance”
March 17, 2009 by admin
Filed under Provence atmosphere
At this level, we think it is in general a question of mood and opportunity : There are many places in this category. But if I write this, it is because the ugliest ones hide themselves inside the best. So : No Risk taking, just try to stay in our list …
The first one which comes in mind is ” Clos de Gustave “in Gordes. This is absolutely a sure value ( and in Gordes it is very rare). Food is more than good, service is made with candor and intelligence. Be careful, it can be crowdy. So the best is to be early. We don’t tell you how it is charming etc …
The second we are in love with is “Un Jour Charlotte” , just 300 meters from here. How lucky we were when thay started their business last year. It is just a kind of “succes story”, a family business. The father is a reputed photographer, she is a florist and together with the children they make a superb food. Last year, we had only compliments. I leave the details. You will see and appreciate by ourselves.
“La Bergerie ” in Maubec is different. Maubec Old Village is one of the most exquisite corner of Luberon. Nobody knows. You are in a peaceful environment, just below the Luberon Mountainside. It is very typical, the house team is energetic and you get excellent meat, pizzas and local food.
In Isle sur la Sorgue, there are many good and not as good ones. It is a bit out of our scope… Let’s mention Bistro du Commerce where you have an experience on the French Southern Style (noisy but ougoing). Good meat and pizzas. The problem of Isle sur la Sorgue is maybe its success, you will understand.
In the countryside, we can list several with excellent values :
- Café de la Gare in Bonnieux (cheap and warmful)
- Café de la Poste in Goult. That one, if you are interested in being in a well behaved tourist tour, it is the place. 50% of the guests are US, British or from Belgium. So very international but in the french atmosphere. Its fame came from the Peter Mayle’s Popular Novel ” A Year in Provence”. It is worthwhile and food is OK for the price.
After making a trip to Orange in Provence I would like to add the modestly priced but excellent restaurant of La Yaka. The food was fantastic and the service was superb. It was not to crowded and the environment was very relaxed. After the restaurant I took a visit to the Open Air Opera. It is only about 70 miles north of Marseilles but well worth the trip. It was built around 1860 and seats about 9000 people but what captured me the most was the history of the amphitheater. The whole experience was something that I would recommend to anyone that will be visiting this area and even those that are willing to take the trip through France’s entire countryside. Being from around that area as a child myself, this is one of the most gorgeous places to visit in Provence.