MAISON LAMBOT B&B DINING GUIDE 2019 EDITION FOREWORD From terrible tourist traps to microwave meal reheating exercises in inadequacy, the road to the right restaurant is riven with risky rip-offs, bland meals, indifferent service and profiteering. Perhaps this is why more and more discerning diners are heading inland from the costly Côte D’Azur to the bountiful backcountry of the Provence Verte. Here, hidden in the hills and nestled by the lakes and riverbanks is the fabulous forgotten real France, steeped in authenticity and tradition. Far from flippant burger flippers with less finesse than a fixed odds betting terminal (who easily find work in coastal cities), these predominantly family businesses build their reputation from passion and perfectionism. Indeed, it is not surprising to find customer service clichés and uncaring cooks in corporate chains and restaurants who’s principal selling point is their location and who do not rely on nor expect repeat customers. And such places are precisely the opposite of what you will find in this guide (and in this area). From small, family run establishments in tiny villages well off the beaten track, who thrive because of their reputation and carefully calibrated value proposition, to ambitious young chefs taking over outdated or isolated venues and breathing new life into them with their brilliance, Provence Verte is undeniably where the action is. In the 2019 Maison Lambot Dining Guide I prioritised establishments run by passionate teams who pride themselves on their attention to detail, creative flair and use of quality local produce. I like to see a confident and competent team working in synergy in a restaurant as it tends to convey a positive, welcoming atmosphere in a restaurant and this is also an indicator of seamless service. Before we dive into the detail and decide where to choose for leisurely lunches and delicious dinners, may I wish all our guests a wonderful stay in Provence and I hope that you find this Dining Guide useful in planning some exceptional meals during your time here with us. Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved. The Author ‘Maison Lambot B&B’ explicitly refuses all reproduction of the text and photographs herein. TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword ........................................................................................................2 Table of contents ............................................................................................3 About The Guide ............................................................................................4 Local Gems, Montfort-sur-Argens ...................................................................5 La Petite Marmite ......................................................................................................5 Le Mas Des Templiers ...............................................................................................7 Les Chutes Du Grand Baou .......................................................................................8 Bar national chez dédé et Isabelle ............................................................................9 Best of Provence verte ..................................................................................10 Le Clos Des Vignes, Quartier Nestuby, Cotignac .......................................................10 Auberge Du Parc, Correns .......................................................................................11 La Crémaillère, Le Val ..............................................................................................12 La Terrasse, Besse-Sur-Issole .....................................................................................13 Fine Dining In Provence ...............................................................................15 Abbaye De La Celle, La Celle ..................................................................................15 Chez Bruno, Lorgues ..............................................................................................16 Afterword..................................................................................................... 17 ABOUT THE GUIDE Dear Guest Thank you for choosing Maison Lambot B&B for your stay France’s Mediterranean food paradise, Provence. Now in its fourth edition, this guide aims to inspire you to seek out the best that Provence Verte (and the wider Provence region) have to offer food lovers. The appreciation that locals have for quality ingredients and culinary skill is clear from their conversations (often food focused), their hobbies (fishing, growing vegetables, picking mushrooms), and how they spend their weekends, when they often attend organized communal meals marking traditional festivals their local area. I wish you an excellent holiday and hope that you enjoy discovering restaurants described in this guide as much as I have. Bon appétit mes amis! This guide is provided to Maison Lambot B&B Guests free of charge for information purposes. Opening, pricing and menus are all subject to change. Where an establishment provides accommodation as well as meals the ratings and comments in this document relate only to food service and quality as Maison Lambot does not assess accommodation provision. All Rights Reserved Maison Lambot B&B Provence 2019. Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved. The Author ‘Maison Lambot B&B’ explicitly refuses all reproduction of the text and photographs herein. LOCAL GEMS, MONTFORT-SUR-ARGENS LA PETITE MARMITE My local benchmark is a stand-out option a short walk from Maison Lambot B&B 4 Place Gabriel Péri, Montfort-sur-Argens 04 94 59 55 06 Weds. - Sun. Chef Didier and Manager Séverine have built this small family-run village restaurant into a local institution. I use LPM as a local benchmark and the bar is set very high. The menu showcases classic French dishes making use of local produce and ingredients, delivered with flair and attention to detail. Creative specials complement a menu which changes with the seasons. Located in a quiet little village square less than five minutes’ walk from Maison Lambot B&B, La Petite Marmite is a winner every time offering superb value at weekday lunchtimes particularly. Families will appreciate the children’s menu and easy access from the B&B and gastronomes who stay with us frequently cannot resist popping back for a second (or third!) dinner, to try more of the delicious options on offer. La Petite Marmite is a small restaurant and complements the cosy indoors with a shady terrace. Even then, it’s local renown and popularity make it advisable to book in advance to avoid disappointment. LPMs’ lunchtime deal is a great way to experience this Parisian outpost in Provence. Two courses for 16 represents great value for food of this quality. The wine list is frequently updated with local award winners, carefully selected by Séverine, and you can also sample local beer from ‘Le Brasseur Varois’, a micro-brewery 8km down the road in Carcès. While I’m on the subject of drinks, you can try some lovely traditional apéritifs including Henri Bardouin Pastis while waiting for your meal. How lucky we are to have La Petite Marmite as neighbours in Montfort-Sur-Argens. Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved. The Author ‘Maison Lambot B&B’ explicitly refuses all reproduction of the text and photographs herein. LE MAS DES TEMPLIERS Templar themed restaurant with an excellent menu minutes from the B&B 1 Avenue des Droits de l’Homme, Montfort-sur-Argens - 04 94 86 86 20 This Templar-themed restaurant immerses diners in the history and legends of the Templars, from the shields decorating the walls to the ancient poems recited by Sir Raymond, to the medieval weapons on show in the lobby. The Templar Knight, Sir Raymond of Montfort, will welcome and seat your party in his suit of armor. Provence is synonymous with the Templar Knights and Montfort-sur-Argens is overlooked by a castle which was once a Templar stronghold. Therefore the atmosphere and decoration of the Mas Des Templiers celebrates and commemorates this important aspect of local history. The food is hearty and served up in generous portions by Chef Christelle, and while waiting for your meal to arrive you can peruse the carefully curated wine list and say hello to Xanax, the guard rabbit. Whether you read more Dan Brown or Good Food Guide this is an experience you won’t want to miss. Diners can be knighted upon prior request, this is particularly recommended for birthdays and other special events. Poetry recitals are optional. Service is relaxed, and the atmosphere is completed by a roaring fire on cool evenings and an outdoor terrace in the summer. Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved. The Author ‘Maison Lambot B&B’ explicitly refuses all reproduction of the text and photographs herein. LES CHUTES DU GRAND BAOU Outdoor Family Dining By A Triple Waterfall Route de Carcès, 83143 Le Val - 06 45 15 34 83 Just a couple of kilometers outside of Montfort-sur-Argens is the triple waterfall ‘Les Chutes Du Grand Baou’. Offering easy access to the riverbank at the foot of the waterfall, o v e r l o o k e d b y a s h a d y t e r r a c e a n d complemented by a petting zoo and pony rides, this family oriented restaurant is loved by locals and tourists alike throughout the summer months. Pizzas, grill dishes and salads accompanied by a good selection of local beers and a wide choice of ice-cream are the order of the day at Grand Baou. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is convivial - you really feel like you are on holiday here. There is ample parking space right by the