La Prevote

Restaurant only. The garden and dining rooms are beautiful, and the service was friendly and pleasant. The food, though, was surprisingly poor. It felt like fine dining put together by someone who had only seen pictures of it, with very little substance. We regretted choosing this place when there are so many other good restaurants in the region. The restaurant should have its own listing, separate from the hotel, so its rating can be judged on its own.

We stayed overnight and had the New Year’s Day menu de Fêtes. The room was charming, comfortable, nicely furnished, and good value, with fluffy towels, an espresso machine, reversible a/c, and underfloor heating. The historic building is lovely, and part of the river Sorgue runs underneath it. The French and Indian fusion menu was gorgeous, subtle, and beautifully done. We met the Indian chef, a passionate and charming lady. The new owners since October, Arun and Esme from the Netherlands, were very welcoming. Stéphane, the sommelier and front-of-house chap, was brilliant, and has been there for 25 years. There’s a great wine list. Highly recommended all round.

We’ve been coming here for years, but after dining on New Year’s Eve as non-guests at the hotel, we left disappointed. Under the new ownership and cuisine, the quality has dropped significantly. Both the food and the value no longer live up to what we’d come to appreciate. It’s with a heavy heart that we’re saying goodbye to the lovely ambiance and excellent staff while we look for better dining elsewhere. I’ve left more detail in the Food & Drinks section.

We shared the meal with five friends, and all six of us agreed it was one of our best gastronomic experiences, easily among our top five. The food was outstanding, as were the matching wines. The decor and atmosphere are beautiful while still feeling welcoming, and the waiter was both knowledgeable and warm.