La Pastorale - Restaurant Reillanne — Restaurant in Forcalquier

Ordered Beef Wellington for our main course. We asked specifically if the steak would come out at most medium, they assured us the stake would not be overcooked. They for some reason cook small steaks individually wrapped, rather than a whole filet (and then serve slices). As a result the steak was completely dead, dry, chewy - so we sent it back, asking for medium, or medium-rare.

After a few minutes the plate came back with a steak on it, slapped on top of the dough and veggies from the first attempt - old shoe sole removed. Ugly and unprofessional , but perhaps fine. BUT.. The replacement steak had been flash-fried, barely seen the pan, blue in the middle...not sure why but the chef apparently thought we were asking for Pittsburgh style. We sent this back, again asking for medium, or medium-rare.

After a long time, waitress came back saying the chef was now out of food and we would get nothing. Sorry. The chef at this restaurant was saying "I WILL NOT COOK FOR YOU". We had not been rude and tried our best to patiently wait (30+ minutes, because "they were busy" and "we were not the only customers there") for them to come by our table, then nicely ask for a normally cooked steak.

The manager came out and explained to us in detail how exactly we were wrong, and how we should learn to speak better french. There apparently were many other ways that we were wrong, and the manager took her time making sure we would understand just how right they were and how wrong we were. Also, we were informed that they are very busy and we are not the only guests there.

In the end, they delivered no main course plate. Is this a debate club or a restaurant? We paid our bill and left. We ended up hungry and feeling like nobodies - not an experience I wish to repeat or recommend to anyone. I wish I could rate higher, but at a fundamental level this was a complete failure to function as...

This quaint restaurant is nestled off an idyllic drive no longer a main thoroughfare and sits under a canopy of old beech trees. The terrace is beautifully designed for dining but encompasses the elements of the garden. In this secret garden, the old building holds a warm, inviting interior with ancient charms and modern conveniences. The people working this piece of heaven were attentive, but patient; polite, but comfortably informal; enthusiastic, but relaxed. All of this aside, the food alone would have made this my favorite restaurant. I have not often eaten such a perfectly prepared meal, with the exact amount of food to satisfy, variety in the preparation of the dishes, the plating, the flavor, perfection of individual components textures, or the quality of the ingredients. Not to mention I've paid double this price for lower quality at places...

At first I thought I was a bit biased because they're family. But all guests they have are really enthusiastic about the food, service and price. The chef uses delicious vegetables and meat from the local area. Also he is creative in making the dishes (like editable flowers). All personnel at the restaurant look like they are having the times of their life helping you getting a fantastic dinner experience. Even the locals love to come here and they are French and know what good food is ;-) When you're in the area, make sure to visit La Pastorale just...