On the trail of the perfect restaurant… South of France 2008

LE POÊT LAVAL

Les Hospitaliers
Le Poêt Laval 26160
04 75 46 22 32
If you are staying in la Drôme (and there are lots of wonderful places to rent by the week), this is a little self-indulgence. This is classic French well done. We had a filet d’omble with a wonderful “crumble de citron et crème d’ail doux” and a filet de lotte with bouillon des crustaces as part of a brilliant prix fixe. Go for lunch: it’s the same menu but less busy. The hotel itself is a delight, if you’re looking for a place in le Poêt Laval…

GRIGNAN
Restaurant "Le Clair De La Plume"
+33 (0)4 75 91 81 30
http://www.clairplume.com/
This is a charming tea-room with a good lunch in a tree-shaded outdoor courtyard and part of what looked like a perfectly charming little hotel in Grignan. This is a most pleasant place to stop while waiting for the château to open after the mandatory 3-hour lunch break (a curse to late risers). The château, to and from which Mme. de Sévigné wrote to her daughter in the famous 17th century collection of her letters, is worth the visit. There is also a nice gallery of prints and antique books called Dit Elle in the town, as well as a museum of typography!

DIEULEFIT
ART-HOME @ Restaurant
51, rue du Bourg 26220
+33 04 75 46 86 16
art-home@live.fr
A quirky little spot with a nice terrace on the main street of Dieulefit. Reservations advised, especially if you are planning to go on market day. The young staff are producing lovely food, focusing on regional but sometimes with an Asian flare. Fresh fish are good, as were the sampler plates the day we visited. There are a few tables on the street but these may be a challenge, depending on the quality of the street musicians.