La Petite Maison 2001 (Cucuron)
It was Friday night in the Luberon region of Provence and the most important thing to determine was where to have dinner. The two Michelin star restaurant at our Inn was booked. So was the restaurant recommended by Alain Ducasse. Peter Mayle had not invited us over for one of his little culinary soirees. So we booked a reservation at a place called La Petite Maison in a little, little, little town called Cucuron (about a 15 minute drive from Loumarin).
When we arrived in the town and parked, we could not see any commercial establishments. Just a bunch of old world homes with closed shutters. We walked down a street and found a beautiful reflecting pond with a restaurant and a cafe/bar with many locals enjoying local wine. When we walked past the open door with a view into the kitchen of the restaurant, I knew we were in for a treat. The professional team of chefs combined with the professional look of the kitchen exuded culinary seriousness.
The interior of the restaurant was filled with character and antiques. Not a word of English was spoken by any of the other diners. We went for the four-course menu.
- Pastis for me, champagne for Elizabeth
- A rich, creamy zucchini soup
- I had the foie gras, which arrived in two generous preparations: seared with a fresh fig sauce and a terrine stuffed with small chunks of fig. A special white dessert wine was served with the dish
- Elizabeth had a cast iron skillet sauté of artichoke hearts and wild mushrooms
- I had French lamb chops served with rosemary, a potato puree and fresh local vegetables
- Elizabeth had the red snapper with potato “scales” a la Paul Bocuse
- Sorbet
- We each had individual chocolate soufflés serve with a special dessert wine
- Petit fours
- We had a great bottle of local red wine
If you are ever in the Luberon region, you must try this restaurant!