Village Castigno

We’ll definitely come back. The seasonal food was wonderful, much of it from their own garden, and the wine list had a great selection with really helpful pairing advice. For us, this was the best Michelin restaurant we’ve visited. At places like this, we usually remember the food and wine most, but here the friendly atmosphere and relaxed manners stood out too, without the usual pretension or posturing. Thanks for everything! 🙏

The wasps were a real problem, and the traps hanging from the parasols weren’t doing the job. Service, though, was charming and attentive. I’d give La Petite Table 3.5 stars if I could. It’s hard to judge a bistro linked to a one-star Michelin restaurant without high expectations, and those expectations will be high. We ate in the lovely square, surrounded by the pink, purple and red buildings that have been renovated and coordinated so charmingly. The bistro grew out of the owners’ vision for the Épicerie, expanding from wine production into several different places to eat in the renovated village of Assignan. It’s a lovely setting. The house paté was very good. The beef carpaccio had high-quality ingredients, but its dressing didn’t bring them together with enough punch. The baby clam linguini with olive oil was also a bit bland, short on clam juices and anything to bring out the Palourdes. Sea bream came with an interesting potato puree, in a good way. The wood-fired wild Gambas were delicious, if a little salty, with grilled lemon and well-balanced garlic, parsley butter and rosemary. We only tried the homemade ice cream for dessert, and it was truly delicious. All three children were happy with the kids’ burger and chips. The chips were more like fine chips than fries, and very tasty. Both white wines we tried were great, especially Chateau Castigno blanc. I’ll be back to try the Thai restaurant when the chef can return from being stuck due to travel restrictions.

Two lovely days here didn’t feel like enough. The village and hotel are woven together so thoughtfully: wherever you spot something red, it’s part of the hotel, yet it fits beautifully into its surroundings. The rooms are full of art, and everywhere we went smelled clean and fresh. The bed was perfect, too. Check-in takes at least 30 minutes because staff show you around the restaurants, artwork, rooms, pool and other parts of the place. That introduction makes sense in a hotel that is, in a way, the whole village. The village square serves as the main restaurant, and even the smallest details feel carefully considered. We also got to dine at the gastronomic restaurant. The two young Belgian chefs cook simply, with clear, focused flavors. The food was clean on the plate and a joy to taste, and I think it deserves at least one star. We enjoyed the meal and had the pleasure of talking with the chefs about what mattered most to them: the food. Come here to relax, enjoy the hospitality and artistic rooms, and eat well.

This was our third stay at Village Castigno. We live in the region and understand the magic of the place: you have to be open to its local authenticity. If that’s not for you, there’s Dubai. We come mainly for the Michelin star restaurant, but the accommodation has been a great experience every time as well. The owners put a personal touch into everything, and their passion is clear. The staff seem to share it, and are friendly and professional in every way. A special thanks to the Sommelier at La Table for his imaginative suggestions and for sharing his passion so well. We’ll definitely be back. When I read negative reviews, I know those are people I wouldn’t want to meet at Village Castigno.