Barbaluc's Profile
Sunday lunch in the Vaucluse
sderham, I agree that it is not the cheapest place around. We like it for the combination of the garden, food and staff. We're used to places with prix fixe and for the odd time we haven't wanted what was on the plat that day we have always been able to substitute. ( usually fish for meat in my case ). It is actually not a tourist place, especially Sunday lunch which is almost all regulars. Agree that a weeknight dinner is often better, but more because the crowd is smaller.
For the area, it can be compared to Ferme de la Huppe, Mas Tourteron, Auberge des Carrieres and Le Vivier which are the other closest restaurants with above average food. Because my husband and I and our closest friends all cook, we don't go out for many mid-range dinners anymore as we have found them increasingly disappointing for the price. ( Lunch is another story, but then a couple of glasses of wine and there goes the afternoon.)
And I can confirm that the restaurant is still owned by Daniel Hebet.
Sunday lunch in the Vaucluse
Ok then. Crillon le Brave has possibly the best view in the Vaucluse from their terrace. Also try l'Oustalet in Gigondas. It is right on the place and has nice outdoor seating. Owned by the Perrin family ( Beaucastel ), both the food & wine are excellent and it is close to you in Caromb. Sort of...but worth the drive.
My only criticism of Crillon le Brave is that it has become very English. We were one of their first guests 18 years ago and still visit several times a year both to eat and for an overnight. To me it has lost some of its original appeal, but still hands down one of the best in the area. #diedandgonetoheaven
August Honeymoon in Provence - Avignon, Lourmarin, Bonnieux, Lex Baux de Provence
The Sunday market in L'isle is a brocante market as well as food. In fact, most of the food there is not from local farmers. It is big & busy and the reason to visit is for the antiques. Always a good outing BUT can be very busy and tough to navigate in the summer. If you go, go early ( 9am ) and get out by 11.
I would take lunch at Ferme de la Huppe over Les Bories anytime. Nice shaded terrace and better food.
At that time of year, when making your reservation ask for a table outside. If the restaurant is busy and has both types of seating, they will often reserve their outdoor ( premium ) tables for regulars. You dont want to be eating inside in August. Save that for the fall & winter!
August Honeymoon in Provence - Avignon, Lourmarin, Bonnieux, Lex Baux de Provence
Ludutko, By all over the map I mean the tendancy to put too many things on the plate. That's what we felt about the starter and the dessert. This trend is getting tiring to me. The starter was a stack of undercooked beets topped with a warmed chevre and beside that a log cabin of green asparagus. The dessert was a plate with 3 small dishes - mascarpone, chocolate cake ( supposed to be molten but really was a cake! ) and sorbet.
I agree with you that a supplement is appropriate, but 6 euro to go from the local cheese to a banon seems a bit much.
The wine list was not overpriced, but I wish restaurants would look beyond the immediate domaines a bit more. Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Seguret are not really that far away and offer a less expensive option to Chateauneuf du Pape. We drink a fair bit of the local stuff and it is nice when we are eating out to have a broader selection. ( Gouin in Coustellet is a good example. )
August Honeymoon in Provence - Avignon, Lourmarin, Bonnieux, Lex Baux de Provence
Dinner at Auberge des Carrieres was excellent. Nice room, good service. We all enjoyed both our starters and mains. Ris de veau, risotto with asperges and prosciutto ( ate better than it sounds ), steak frites ( surprise choice by 2 of us but it was a great cut of meat which is often hard to find in Provence ), carre d'agneau. Nice cheese selection. None of us had dessert. The wine list is short and I think average, but well priced. 35 euro for an entree, main and cheese or dessert.
This was our 4th visit since last summer and can say that it has always been consistent, both for lunch and dinner. That seems to be the challenge for us in this part of the Luberon. We love Jardin du Quai and the setting can't be beat but lately has been hit & miss in the kitchen. Le Vivier has a great kitchen but the setting could be anywhere, so although we eat there often it is not somewhere we take out of town guests. Same for la Coquillade. Good for a drink at sunset, but zero feel of being in Provence.
August Honeymoon in Provence - Avignon, Lourmarin, Bonnieux, Lex Baux de Provence
The owners have combined La Petite Cave with the bistro (closed ) and changed the food. It is now a combination of both. They were open Easter weekend for lunch - 'ouverture exceptionnel'.
I had heard about the other 2 closing. We are feeling that it is getting harder and harder to eat well mid-range in the Luberon. Just back from 2 days in Tuscany where we had really good meals, at a good price.
Looking forward to dinner tonight at the Auberge des Carrieres in Les Taillades.
August Honeymoon in Provence - Avignon, Lourmarin, Bonnieux, Lex Baux de Provence
We ate there last week. We were all (6) disappointed. Starter was all over the map, as was dessert. The main was OK though. Average wine list. What we thought was well priced ( 29 euro for lunch ) ended up much more once you added in the 6 euro cheese supplement, plus gratuity. It was a surprise to see 'service non compris'. 140 for lunch for 2.
Sunday lunch in the Vaucluse
Jardin Du Quai in L'isle sur la Sorgue
Beautiful garden, protected - which you will need tomorrow as the mistral is here for 3 more days!
Best place for Sunday lunch.
Luberon - Wedding Reception Recommendation
For that number of people, try le Jardin du Quai in L'isle sur la Sorgue. The garden is beautiful and a good size for your numbers. The price will be much better than Mas Tourteron( although I think that is also a good choice). They could also accommodate you inside in case of bad weather, I think. Casual in just the right way. For me the La Castelas location is too casual, especially if people are coming from Calgary. You can get that at home! I have several pictures of the restaurant and garden at various times of year as it has been one of our favourites since it opened.
How is Maubec/Luberon as a base location to eat around Provence?
Shoes. Yes. Very very strange. Apparently Rosa has always wanted to have a shoe store, or sell shoes somewhere. And now she does. And it doesn't work. When I first saw it I stood and stared. Had she been there I would have commented. Have not been back.
DId enjoy lunch at Auberge des Carrieres in Maubec. Can't wait to try it in the fall/winter as I think the room will be nice.
A week in Roussillon. Where to eat?
Ferme de la Huppe - not too bad a drive, probably the best of those closest to you
We had a great lunch last week in Les Taillades at the Auberge des Carrieres. It is about 5 months new and although a bit of a drive from Roussillon it has a nice terrasse. I think this will be a great winter place too.
How is Maubec/Luberon as a base location to eat around Provence?
Yes, we also tried it ( David & Luisa ) but have not been back. Overall I would say Gouin for us has been hit & miss. But still a nice setting, great cave and for nights when you don't want to cook....fine. But also because it is a 3 minute drive! There are not alot of options from Cabrieres when you don't want to drive.
How is Maubec/Luberon as a base location to eat around Provence?
Not at all stuffy, although if the tables around you are twosomes it can be a bit quiet! Closings vary - some are Monday nights, others are T/W.
How is Maubec/Luberon as a base location to eat around Provence?
This was done late last season. We were there late January and Rosa said it was because alot of people did not want the prix fixe. I agree it is too bad as the cheese course is now 8 or 9 euros. Basically ends up being a more expensive meal if you want to eat as you did under the previous price structure.
Agree with Babouchka suggestion. The problem is that tourists don't generally come to France for food that is not French - but for expats longing for a change, it is a good place. ( Remember the Thai place in Gordes????OMG it was fantastic - but tourists weren't interested, nor were the French locals. )
How is Maubec/Luberon as a base location to eat around Provence?
Mas du Capoun has great food. Don't be fooled by the location or decor!
How is Maubec/Luberon as a base location to eat around Provence?
Update on Maison Gouin - they no longer have their evening prix fixe. Everything is a la carte. The trip to the 'cave' is still pretty neat!
How is Maubec/Luberon as a base location to eat around Provence?
We had dinner last week at le Vieux Bistro and were disappointed. Too many little different verrines on the plate and they try too hard to dress the plate up instead of just focussing on serving good solid meat or fish. Although the piece of beef was good, it was served with too many overcooked potatoes. I would try Maison Gouin which is a little bit closer to you and their 'cave' has a great selection.
Had lunch yesterday at L'Oustalet in Gigondas and it was fantastic. Go for lunch as it is a bit of a drive and not one you want to do after some wine in the evening.
How is Maubec/Luberon as a base location to eat around Provence?
I agree with Parigi - your picks are good but I think waaay too ambitious and will not allow you to enjoy the meals or the surroundings. I am a very good eater ( ! ) and would not consider lunch and dinner at the places you are considering in the same day. When we have hosted travel weeks the comments are usually that there was not enough time to recover between the meals! Lunch is often much bigger than you might expect because for many people it is the main meal of the day. There is usually not a 'light' option and many restaurants have a fixed or formule at lunch.
Also check the websites of the restaurants or call as several may still be closed in early April and most will close for 2 days during the week, usually Tuesday/Wednesday. We tried for lunch yesterday and of the 12 I called only 1 was open ( le Fournil - great spot ) and the other was 'complet' ( Auberge de Beaucet ).
For wine tasting plan to see Gigondas or Vacqueyras while you are there.
My advice would be to slow down and do less driving. You will be spending too much time in the car and not enough time in the villages. Every North American visitor wants to see it all in one trip and usually regrets doing so.....
How is Maubec/Luberon as a base location to eat around Provence?
I live in Cabrieres d'Avignon which is very close to Maubec. You will not be remote and are in fact well situated with easy access to everything.
Reservations are key to any of the nicer restaurants, not only to confirm their opening days but also because it is polite. Also be aware that you will not be eating earlier than 8pm each night.
Add to your list of places Jardin du Quai and le Vivier in L'isle sur la Sorgue. We think Jardin du Quai is the best place for all around ambiance, food and in April if you can sit outside in the garden, especially for Sunday lunch do that before/after wandering through the antique barns and shops.
For things to take back - olive oil is a good idea but heavy and bulky. We now go with chocolates ( Joel Durand in St. Remy or la Cour aux Saveurs in l'isle ) or torchons ( tea towels ) which are small and light. Buy the good quality tea towels ( Jacquard de Francais or Moutette ) as they are much cheaper ( 13 euros ) than in Canada or the US.
There is a fantastic place very near you called les Artisanales where they make jams, tapenades and also offer brunch. We often take grocery store mustard -Amora - home. Sounds boring but foodies will love it. Big squares of savon de Marseille in the 3 colours are always popular.
Cookbooks - Patricia Wells for sure.
Almond blossoms are out now and the very first asparagus. The markets will be in full swing in April!
Provence foodie excursions, tours, and tastings?
In Carpentras, the best fromagerie in Provence is Vigier, 23 Place de la Mairie. They are affineurs as well as retailers. In Oppede, for jams ( sounds boring but well worth the visit ) follow the signs to Les Minguets. In Cabrieres d Avignon, the honey shop. For lunch or dinner in Isle sur la Sorgue, le Jardin du Quai. Joel Durand in St. Remy for chocolates. You can also taste olive oils across the street in Huiles du Monde, then pay a visit to the mills later if you want to see more. As nothing is happening at the mills during the spring, sometimes it is not worth the time to visit.
