5 /5
Bewertung
★
★
★
★
★
There are many eating options in the tiny hillside village of Bormes Les Mimosas and many are middling to awful. Lou Portaou is one of the exceptions, and in nine visits over eight years, it has never proved a poor choice.The best seating is in the cave/tunnel which adjoins the kitchen. It's a warm, friendly atmosphere, and although the tables are close together, you never feel you are eating with your neighbours. The mood is chilled and very convivial.The staff speak little English but are fluent in German and do well with Italian too. Nevertheless, they are forgiving of a lack of French language skills and do their utmost to ensure comprehension and ease.Always best to ask what they recommend as their choices are always spot on. They now offer three choices for each course at very reasonable set menu prices.The meal started with an amuse bouche that was divine: a thick, cold pea and mint soup with a dollop of crime fraiche. Any Michelin star restaurant would have been proud to serve it.First courses were equally impressive, and wildly different, using fresh seasonal vegetables in unique ways : a courgette muffin served with perfectly done asparagus spears and a goat's cheese veloute; cold parsnip soup, thick and remarkably flavoursome, accompanied by a crouton topped with foie gras and crumbled nuts; a stuffed red pepper and an aubergine cake, served warm with braised carrots and other seasonal root vegetable. All were superb.Main courses were original and rich: perfectly cooked beef patties served on a buckwheat risotto; baked artichoke hearts stuffed with shredded confit of duck (an extraordinary combination which was thrilling and decadent).Owner Philippe Cavatore is genial and welcoming and his recommendations for wine always spot on. We very much enjoyed a local Rosé he suggested.Dessert was simple and perfect: a glorious cheesecake, marinated strawberries in sweet chantilly cream, and a pungent, intensely zesty goat cheese.Our waiters, Tom and Greg, were affable and charming. There were no long waits, no misunderstandings and no false sincerity.A stylish, friendly and vastly enjoyable dining experience. Don't miss it.