Côteaux et Fourchettes Restaurant, Cairanne

The restaurants we try for the first time are usually on a list of good restaurants in a publication I respect, highly regarded by the Michelin inspectors, have received high marks in Zagat or more recently on Yelp or the restaurant was recommended by friends. Like most foodies, I hesitate to try restaurants I don't know anything about.

I don't remember how we heard about Côteaux et Fourchettes restaurant but one Monday evening we decided to try it out. Côteaux et Fourchettes restaurant is located just a few kms - miles west of Sablet at Croisement de la Courançonne near Cairanne.

This restaurant and wine cellar was opened in September 2010 by Cyril Glémot, former chef at L’Oustalet restaurant in Gigondas. Côteaux et Fourchettes restaurant is set along the road with vineyards all around with views of the Dentelles de Montmirail.

Wife Shirley and niece Leslie doing their best Vanna White (of Jeopardy fame) impressions in front of Côteaux et Fourchettes restaurant.

The restaurant dining room is simply decorated and opens out onto an outdoor dining area where tables are set under a large trellis and among the trees and shrubs.

After being seated under the shady trellis, we were brought a mise en bouche plate consisting of goat cheese on a tooth pick with tomato confit, some black olives and little savory pastry balls to munch on while we perused the menu options.

We selected a bottle of the 2009 Domaine la Soumade Côtes du Rhône Villages Rasteau to accompany our meal, a wonderful wine we drank in several restaurants during our time in Provence.

After we placed our order, we were brought an amuse bouche of chilled tomato soup with sheep cheese topped with a sprig of chervil.

The view towards the Dentelles de Montmirail from our seats.

A nice touch is the selection of different house baked rolls.

Shirley started with a plate of arugula simply dressed with vinaigrette.

I started with duck foie gras with a delicious fig jam. I rarely have foie gras in the US and in fact in 2012, it will be illegal to produce or sell foie gras in California compliments of the animal rights people who got the law pushed through the California legislature.

Leslie chose the marinated trout stuffed with arugula and tiny dices of carrots, celery and radish for her starter.

Our main courses included a delicious plate of roast squab - pigeon over red cabbage with carrots,

perfectly cooked magret de canard - duck breast over polenta cake and Chinese cabbage,

and pan roasted cod served over pistou for Shirley who does not eat meat.

Leslie ordered the cheese plate consisting of 2 goat cheeses, 2 sheep cheeses and 2 made from cows milk, one from Switzerland.

Desserts were a tasty slice of chocolate apricot cream cake

and a tarte fine of apple and fig with vanilla ice cream.

Chef Glémot is doing very refined cooking using seasonal ingredients. I think prices are reasonable given the high quality of the food and cooking. Our menu Côteaux with cheese was 35 Euros and without the cheese plate was 29 Euros.

If you are in the area, we definitely recommend that you try Côteaux et Fourchettes restaurant. We will return often I am sure.

Côteaux et Fourchettes
Croisement de la Courançonne
84290 Cairanne
Tel: 04 90 66 35 99
info@coteauxetfourchettes.com

Bon appétit mes amis et à bientôt.