Where the stars do not mean anything – or as my friend said – This has to be the best two star hotel in the world.
Hotel Les Florets
First let me set the scene.
The hotel is situated in the Southern Rhone, beneath the rocky mountains that surrounds Gigondas. You have the smell of Provence litterally in the air.
A Smell of lavender is in the air – and the colours – amazing.
The main building of the hotel, most rooms overlooking the terrasse of the outside part of the restaurant as well as the beautiful valley.
If this does not make you happy ? I wanted to stay here forever – had my family been with me.
The hotel has been in the same family for 3 generations and Thierry and Dominique Bernard are indeed the perfect hosts – greeting you warmly with a smile and hand shake every morning – and most of the staff is also smiling and on their toes to give you the best possible stay.
I would not say it is 5 star level service, but I have definetely never ever had better service in any 4 star hotel. Example – at our first lunch shortly after arriving – we asked Thierry how far a drive – to a certain city where our first tasting was gonna take place – would be. He quickly went away to check – only to arrive 2 min after with a colour printed route guidance from the internet. Perfect.
The hotel offer different categories of rooms, incl. family rooms. Wifi, flatscreen television, indoor and outdoor dining as well as an outdoor swimming pool during the main season.
So if the Hotel les Florets is the best two star in the world, this young chef taking a break before service has to be one of the prettiest chefs in the world.
The view from the table where our first lunch was gonna take place minutes after our arrival.
I shall just give you a few more romantic evening shots from the hotel before coming back to our lunch and dinners here….
Evening shot from our table towards the valley. End of day, end of service.
– and the hotel in a romantic light before bed-time. One really did not feel like leaving this at all.
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Restaurant les Florets
Well, I think you by some of the photos will have an idea of the settings under which the food was to be enjoyed. Let me just say, those settings does not come any better. Truly stunning views and the smell in the air automatically gives you high expectations. I think those expectations were best met and exceeded during our first lunch. However, the evening light, the sun setting, the last warm breeze of the day hitting your face, the happy faces everywhere, the laughter in the air – all that also made both our dinners outstanding experiences as well. The restaurant offers different menus as well as a la carte, and you will end up paying 32-45 eur for a 3 course meal.
Again . if one would not feel happy with this view from the ding table – well….
– or with this view.
– and witth such a pretty waitress – the meal could commence….
I will show you some of the best dishes we had throught our 3 meals here.
Beans, pear, artichokes, hazelnuts, fois gras….
My first dish here….and what a dish. It was a pure 10 in my book. The combination of the pear and fois gras, the perfect vinegar dressing. It was the best dish we had throughout the stay. 10p – 10p – 10p. It was not the only good one – but it was so good that on the last evening I ordered it again. And since my friend ordered a different dish – and ended up being jealous about my choice – well I did something I have never done before. I called Thierry and told him I had a problem with the dish. Something he probably could not believe since my plate was empty. But I explained to him, that I loved this so much, that I simply had to have it once more and therefore he should halt the main dish for a bit and kindly provide both of us with another round of this beauty. It was just the perfect dish and it had everything that fitted this place and region. I can just underline – I would order it again today if I could.
Lamb and eggplant
Great dish too. Probably the second best. 8p
Rhubart with rillette of smkoed mackrel
Simple but again, fitting and good. I guess by now you have an idea of the kitchen 8p
Duck breast on lentilles
The duck breast – well I do prefer old fashioned slowly cooked – “like our mothers did” – duck – but it was also a very “true to concept” dish and the meat cooked perfect rosé – like most chefs would these days. 6.5p
Filet mignon of porc, on – arh… I do not know the English word – corn of a kind, with Apricots.
Unfortunately, the filet was slighly overcooked.The smaller pieces being close to dry. The Apricots – the black olives and thus the whole balance of the taste was incredible and saved the dish. 7p
Say cheese
Perfect selection, perfect ripeness. A bit more “air” between the cheeses would have made a nicer presentation I think – 8.5p
The pretty young girl from the kitchen came over and said goodnight and I could not help it – my fingers slipped
– but I hope she will be happy with the result.
Conclusion:
Let me say it very very clearly. If you are going to the area of Gigondas. This is the place you wanna be. If you are staying only one night in France (and like me cannot afford George V. and Paris anymore) – This is where you wanna be. If you are looking for the perfect balance between hotel, service, food and surroundings – Hotel and Restaurant les Florets should be your choice.
As it turns out – Thierry and Dominique are expecting a visit soon from the hotel inspectors – that off couser send thoughts to Fawlty Towers. But let me assure you, the family Bernard is prepared. And it would be the biggest crime on earth if they do not get the third star. Lets hope they will keep the price level when it happens.
As for the room I have two minor complaints. My bed was 5 centimer too short. And I missed a minibar.
But – the food – the smiling staff, the views – the nice wine list. All you could wish for. Let me congratulate Thierry and Dominique also especially on the male waiter, that throughout our stay was smiling and helpful. A perfect waiter. Any restaurant or hotel would be lucky to have a guy like him. The only complaint about the restaurant would be the chairs. Romantic looking but not really comfortably. But i actually forgot that during the dinner because of all the rest.
I salute you my friend. Even if I forgot your name
So, to round it up – I surely hope to be back next year. Thanks for making the stay memorable. Thanks Gijs for showing me this place and inviting me on your trip – well you said at one point – this is OUR trip – but hell – you planned it and was in charge of most of the stuff. And you did most of that stuff pretty damn good. I salute you too- YUP 😉 – and before my rating of the restaurant below that will include a happiness point – I shall leave you with a goodnight shot.
Last man standing – well sitting – Gijs Akkerman
My rating for this restaurant visit:
Food 7.5p (10) service 4.5p (5) ambience 5p (5), Happiness point (1) Total Score 18p (20)
Food, Wine and Rock´n´roll 