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Le Grand Pre
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Restaurant
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Roaix
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Open:
Dinner Wed - Mon, lunch Thu, Fri, Sun, Mon
Price:
Moderate
Score (/20):
16
Reviewed By
Sue Dyson and Roger McShane
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Phone Number:
+33 4 90 46 18 12
Address:
route de Vaison-la-Romaine
Roaix, Provence, 84110
Country:
France
Food Style:
French
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You enter Le Grand Pré through a charming courtyard where herbs used in the kitchen are growing. Tables are set here when the weather is fine. The entrance has two small beautiful rooms on either side with just a few carefully-set tables in each. The quality of the linen, cutlery and crockery befits its status as a one star Michelin restaurant.A small wooden tray was placed on the table promptly holding some lovely fresh crudities to nibble on while we perused the menu. There were some good fixed price menus starting at a very reasonable 29 euros but we were tempted by some of the offerings on the a la carte menu instead. We also enjoyed reading the wine list which is very strong on Cote du Rhone vintages from the surrounding villages such as Seguret, Gigondas and Cairanne.The white wine we ordered was a Domaine Pélaquié from Laudun one of the villages that forms the Cotes du Rhone Villages appellation. This wine is usually made from a mix of Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Viognier and Roussanne grapes.The amuse gueule that was quickly presented was very Mediterranean. A small, white 'pointed' bowl was presented with a small mound of creamy brandade du morue topped with a pepper croustillant and wisps of salty, tangy poutarge. All this was sitting in a tiny pond of vivid parsley sauce.Next came a salad of cepes and rocket and a plate of jambon de noir de bigorre served with a dry fig compote. This dish showed that the ham from Bigorre is a fine product that should get more attention from the food media.For main course we ordered a dish for two as we saw roasted Allaiton lamb from the rugged département of Aveyron in France's south west which is home to Roquefort cheese. This arrived meltingly tender and perfectly pink with the natural juices served separately. To the side was a potato roesti and some cloves of roasted garlic. This was a truly memorable dish.With the lamb we enjoyed a glass of the venerable Vieux Télégraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape. This lovely wine from the La Crau plateau just outside the village is one of our favourites from the appellation. We finished the red with a slice of aged Ossau Irraty cheese also from the Basque region. This was served with a cerise confiture and beautiful, dense walnut bread.Pre-dessert was a home-made pineapple pina colada which cleansed our palates ready for the banana 'sandwich' of Pain d'Epices and goats cheese ice cream. Our other dessert was base don the squat Ronde de Bordeaux figs that the chef is famous for using in a range of dishes. He certainly didn't disappoint with this dish.Overall this was a great meal in a charming cottage with lovely food, intelligent wine service and smiles that were heartfelt.There is also an informal bistro called Bistro Preface for a more relaxed dining experience where you can experience the chef's wonderful food for less than 30 Euros.
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