Restaurant La Prévôté — Restaurant in Avignon

First of all, the photo for this discreet but charming restaurant, hotel is incorrect. I shall post another with better images. As to the restaurant, it is a very French restaurant-expect a menu of the most delicious courses all created by the chef/owner of the establishment. I have been there for special occasions: Christmas lunch, New Year's Day lunch as well as a warm reunion with friends back in the region from the Far East where they live half the year. Before you do your homework by reading through the menu, indulge yourself with a "coup" de Champagne or an "apero" (aperatif) and you will be presented with an array of "nibbles" to aid your appetite. I would advise going for the "formule" (the day's menu) which has a particular price tag-normally around 60 Euro (there are variations of the formule where there will be a choice of main course). This will have an "entree" (starter), "plat principale" (main dish/course), cheese or dessert. However, the chef will also ply you with lovely "amuse bouche" (tasters) of something he's whipped up inspired by whatever is just in that day. At the end of your leisurely meal you may also be presented with another sweet "amuse bouche" & petit fours even if you've decided not to have a dessert. If you'd prefer to eat a la carte there is a choice-not enormous (always be careful when there's a vast menu to choose from unless you are in a large establishment that serves many people all day and night long-a brasserie in Paris for example. Otherwise, in a small establishment it is highly unlikely the chef has bought a fresh batch of what he wishes to cook for that day, plus steak, fish etc for those who do not want the "plat du jour". However, the chef, Jean Marie Allain and his team of excellent servers and sous chefs, will cook you something fresh and delicious from the a la carte. Discuss this with the waitperson who will help you with what is good that day. The wine list is full of local wines, from the Luberon and Ventoux regions, a mere few kilometers up the road (I'm sure you'll want to explore both these areas, full of beautiful things to see-and taste!) Try the local wines, they are truly fresh and delicious. The entry to the restaurant is through the entrance from the small courtyard off the alleyway, where you can eat outdoors in summer time. To access the interior of the restaurant you will cross a small glassed over bridge where you can watch and listen to the clear, rushing waters of the Sorgue, which run around this small Venice on canals in Provence. The restaurant is only part of the Prevote, which is also a B&B with 5 bedrooms. They are charmingly furnished with pieces from the antique markets that L'Isle is famous for. When you wake up you will feel as if you have slipped into a French movie, with the main square just behind the hotel, with its large newly cleaned Church, and small, winding streets, creating discoveries at every turn on a stroll through the centre of town. There are two large market days (do not park your car in the square the night before-it will be towed!): Thursdays, mostly fresh artisanal food, but also clothes, bags, jewelry etc. On Sunday there will be the same, a bit larger but also filled out with more stands of flowers, soaps, Provencal produce as well as a flea market and all the antique stores doors will be open. The market spreads through nearly all of town and the bars and restaurants are busy places. If you want a quiet, cool (in summer) break for lunch while you are antique hunting-drop into the Prevote (actually not a bad idea to book!) to recover...

We arranged our trip through a third party sadly with quite variable accommodation. We stayed at La Prevote twice in our travels, the first in an attic room that was fine accept the sink was in a dark spot thus precluding shaving or make up and you couldn’t easily stand in the bathroom. Fortunately, the second was much more acceptable - a pleasant room with more comfort and a bathroom that worked well. It is an nice little family run hotel in the centre of town with its own courtyard and stream; and one had a feeling that they cared about your experience. All the family and their staff were friendly, helpful and spoke some English - especially the owners - better than our French. What really stood out, however, was their restaurant. Dinner on our arrival night was a greatest surprise and well worth getting washed and changed for. The menu offered interesting choices, including a degustation, with impressive execution of both the food preparation and its presentation. This must presumably be attributed to the owner-chef who appears to know what he is doing. La Prevote has been one of the two best meals we have eaten in Provence to date (we are still travelling). Service is gentle, informal but attentive. Breakfast was also another unexpected surprise. This provided residents with a wide choice of fresh and warm breads, croissants (including pan du chocolat), jams and local honey, cold meats, eggs, cereals and yoghurts. These were all of the highest quality. Service exemplary. A wonderful experience overall. FYI they also do lunches but they do not cook on Tuesday’s or Wednesdays which is not surprising considering the obvious daily workload of the chef. A great little find. I would certainly return there for a week if I had the opportunity and L’Isle sur la Sorgue is a good place from which to explore...

We arranged our trip through a third party sadly with quite variable accommodation. We stayed at La Prevote twice in our travels, the first in an attic room that was fine accept the sink was in a dark spot thus precluding shaving or make up and you couldn’t easily stand in the bathroom. Fortunately, the second was much more acceptable - a pleasant room with more comfort and a bathroom that worked well. It is an nice little family run hotel in the centre of town with its own courtyard and stream; and one had a feeling that they cared about your experience. All the family and their staff were friendly, helpful and spoke some English - especially the owners - better than our French. What really stood out, however, was their restaurant. Dinner on our arrival night was a greatest surprise and well worth getting washed and changed for. The menu offered interesting choices, including a degustation, with impressive execution of both the food preparation and its presentation. This must presumably be attributed to the owner-chef who appears to know what he is doing. La Prevote has been one of the two best meals we have eaten in Provence to date (we are still travelling). Service is gentle, informal but attentive. Breakfast was also another unexpected surprise. This provided residents with a wide choice of fresh and warm breads, croissants (including pan du chocolat), jams and local honey, cold meats, eggs, cereals and yoghurts. These were all of the highest quality. Service exemplary. A wonderful experience overall. FYI they also do lunches but they do not cook on Tuesday’s or Wednesdays which is not surprising considering the obvious daily workload of the chef. A great little find. I would certainly return there for a week if I had the opportunity and L’Isle sur la Sorgue is a good place from which to explore...