Le Bastide de Capelongue

One of the great restaurants of Provence, this citadel of haute cuisine, operated by its owner-chef Edouard Loubet, has made sleepy little Bonnieux a place of gastronomic pilgrimage. His is an expert, beguiling cuisine -- he's known as "an alchemist of authentic flavors" -- that turns the simplest of dishes into something special. He dazzles with such dishes as white sausage of truffled chicken with pistachio nuts and celeriac spaghetti or a rack of lamb with wild thyme. He grills Alpilles pigeon and serves it with a succulent essence of rocket jus and a tartlet of offal decorated with flowers from chives. The chef takes as much care with his desserts as he does with his main courses -- take the crisp praline of bitter chocolate perfumed with absinthe and served with lemon verbena ice cream.

If you'd like to stay over, the restaurant rents 16 beautifully furnished and elegant bedrooms costing from 190€ to 380€ for a double.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.