MICHELIN STARRED INDULGENCE TO A DELICIOUS CRÊPE

Here are our favourite restaurants, in no particular order, with one in our local village getting a very favourable review from Michael Winner writing in the Sunday Times (May 2009).

Taverné Provencal - Gourdon

This is superb restaurant, with friendly and efficient service, a good value set menu, excellent a la carte and above all an outside terrace with an amazing view of the Cote d'Azur. If we have a day off this is the first place we think of going. The trout in almonds is outstanding, as is the filet steak with wild mushrooms. In fact it's all good. Very busy in the summer - get there early to soak up the view and make a proper long lunch of it.

Barricade - Greolieres

Philippe runs this great little restaurant and pizzeria. In the evenings the wood fired pizza oven is lit around 7.30 and Philippe himself makes superb thin crust pizzas that literally flop over the side of his large plates. New for 2007 is a 2 course daily menu, which compliments a complete menu including pasta, steak, goats cheese, jambon cru, as well as a children's menu. Lots of indulgent ice cream desserts and squirty cream. A small outside terrace is open in the spring and summer and is a great place to catch your breath and take a spot of lunch after the walk up from Le Foulon.

Les Ormeaux - Cipieres

Run by a lovely couple, Les Ormeaux has a top spot in the village square of Cipieres. If you are a strong walker it's just 35 minutes walk through the woods, or take an hour to appreciate the view and catch your breath. Either way a great lunch awaits at the other end and you can feel you've earnt it by burning off a few calories. Speciliasing in stuffed provencal vegetables these accompany delicious lamb chops, melt in your mouth pavé de venison (when in season), tournedos of beef and the best chevre (goats cheese) from the small farm down the road. Delicious and good value.

Restaurant au Vieux Four - Gourdon

Probably the most creative of nearby restaurants the Vieux Four makes up for a lack of choice with taste, ingenuity and fresh quality. Usually offering around 3 starters, 3 mains and 3 desserts, the menu changes frequently and if you love all things gastronomic put your trust in the young owner chef - you won't regret it. His girlfriend Christine runs an extremely efficient and smiley front of house, and the small wine list reflects the food. Open for lunch and weekend evenings.

Auberge des Gorges Du Loup - Pont du Loup

At the mouth of the gorge this large restaurant and auberge has been operating since the boom years of Pont du Loup and is the only surviving hotel from the era. An old fashioned French restaurant (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that) it has several set menus offering delicious fare and very good value. They do a superb guinea fowl, their salmon is top-notch whether as a starter or a main, and service is irreproachable. The owner is very friendly and very hands on - he seems to work all hours God sends him, which is perhaps why the main decoration about the place are effigies of Jesus himself! A summer terrace beneath ancient palm trees is a great high summer shady spot.

L'Auberge de Courmes - Courmes

New owners are expanding the indoor space and opening summer 2009 - we'll let you know our opinion once we've indulged. Highly recommended is a walk from the village up the Courmette Mountain and back down again for lunch. Make it to the top and you are rewarded with a Mediterranean panorama stretching as far away as Corsica.

Le Jarrerie - Bar sur Loup

Unassuming from the outside this restaurants character completely changes once you are through the door. Part of an old monastery the dining room has seen use in the perfume industry and as an olive press before being renovated as the imposing room you see today. Like a medieval banqueting hall there is a sense of occasion every time you eat here. The food is very rich, very French, and very good. Run by the charming owners and their friendly daughter it offers surprisingly good value.

Le Cheiron - Greolieres - Winner's Dinner favourite

If you are an avid reader of Winner's Dinners in the Sunday Times then you'll already know that Michael gave the Cheiron a big thumbs up and they've been receiving a lot more British custom ever since. Indulge in some frogs legs whilst the children busy themselves with a pizza or some home-made pasta. Marguerite and her husband chef Patric couldn't be friendlier and clearly love what they do - you can taste it.

La Colombe d'Or - St Paul de Vence

One of the most famous restaurants on the Cote d'Azur this is also one of our favourites. Unpretentious in both atmosphere and cuisine you won't find everything covered with truffles or foie gras, you'll simply have a taste of real Provence. Made famous by the artists that once frequented the restaurant the sympathetic owner often took payment for their extensive tabs with the odd canvas or two. The walls are now adorned by Matisse, Braque, Picasso and many, many others. So it pays to be kind to penniless artists! Great people watching spot.