This restaurant is the real deal. We have visited twice and both occasions are memorable. We are already looking forward to visiting again later this year. So, what is the fuss about? Well, the location is delightful, hidden up a side street in a sleepy village behind a walled courtyard. There are tables inside and outside. Our preference would be to eat outside (providing weather permits) but it does not really matter as your meal will be delightful wherever you are sat.
The restaurant is owned by David and Bridget Pugh. Both are front of house but Bridget focuses on the food and David the wine. The food is either ordered a la carte or from "Le Menu Capricieux" which is essentially a tasting menu that is explained to you at the table. We have always chosen the tasting menu as, once it was explained, it sounded too good to ignore and represents excellent value at €58 per person for four courses followed by cheese and desert.
Each course is prepared relatively simply with most dishes displaying classical French style with a twist. For example, when we last visited Scallops in an Asian flavoured consommé was on the menu along with rabbit stuffed with sage and pistachio. The cheese is all home matured and consequently is in excellent condition with a good mixture of options from the region and the rest of France. By the time you get to desert, you would be forgiven for thinking that you had no space left. However, when a chariot of desert options appears next to your table it is impossible to resist and proves a delightful end to the meal.
As I have mentioned, David is in charge of the wine. The list is a reason to visit in itself with all of the regions great names available in multiple vintages across the last 20 years or so. You will not find a better place to explore the region's wine. David is an expert guide and can not only provide recommendations to pair with your meal but talk about the manner in which each wine is made and what makes it unique. We have always placed our faith in David and ordered a wine pairing to match our tasting menu (€28 per person). We were not been disappointed by any of the wines he chose. To the contrary, the pairings exceeded our expectations in quality and as a result of David's excellent introduction to each glass of wine, we have learned a lot about the region's growers through his pairings.
All in all, an easy 5 star restaurant! read more