So… another different set of articles. I just keep bringing up new and different things to wow you with (I hope)! As I mentioned in the last article, these articles are going to be focusing on certain restaurants that I think are definitely worth your time. These restaurants may not be close to you, sometimes they will be but if you’re ever in their respective part of the world I personally think they are worth your time. These articles will also focus on the wine that we choose with our meal of course.
The first restaurant that we will be showcasing is Coteaux et Fourchette. A lovely restaurant that is sort of in the middle of nowhere. If you ever find yourself in the Southern Rhone and would like a very good and not too expensive meal out, this is the place for you. It is located just off a roundabout on the D8 and D975 halfway between Violés and Cairanne. As well as the food being absolutely cracking, they of course have a tremendous wine list that is extremely reasonably priced.
I have been going to this restaurant for many years now and can honestly say that the staff and the food is excellent. So I think it is time that we show you some photos!
We started with a lovely little amuse bouche of potato and fish mousse with a beetroot crisp. I then spoke with Florian the Sommelier and asked for his input as I wanted a ‘different white wine’, when I say different, I wanted to try something that wasn’t necessarily well-known and not from one of the ‘big’ villages, such as Vacqueyras, Chateauneuf etc. So we were treated to the above, a gorgeous white Cairanne from Domaine des Hautes Cances. Beautiful citrus fruit with peaches and mango notes. A great roundness and a good medium bodied finish, from a great vintage too in 2019. Really impressive and went extremely well with our starter below!
As we moved through the gears, so to speak, we had a gorgeous steak dish below…
The keen eyed among you will no doubt have been able to make out the label of Chateau Saint Cosme in the background. Yes I did go big and bold for the main course. This was a tremendous wine, 2017 Gigondas was absolutely singing. Garrigues, red fruits and lovely rounded tannins, drinking really nicely but definitely has lots of years left in the tank. A fantastic wine and 2017 at the time did not get the plaudits that it deserved. It’s starting to drink beautifully at the moment and will continue on for 5-8 years more.
Cheese was had and went down very well with the last of the Saint Cosme, some lovely local cheeses including Tomme des Pyrenees & Beaufort. Finally dessert came and went far too quickly. A beautiful banana ice cream dome with passionfruit coulis.
Now if the photos have not convinced you let me have your eyes for one last moment. Coteaux et Fourchette have two main menus… the first is menu Coteaux which comes in at 37 euros for 3 courses. The second is menu Fourchette which comes in at 58 euros for 3 courses. I would not say this is overly expensive and the food really is worth it. For those of you with slightly larger wallets the restaurant also offers a degustation menu which I have had once and it was sublime! If you’re ever in the area this is definitely a restaurant to go to.
We’ll be back soonish with another 60th Tasting!!
Thank you for reading as always 😊
Harry Vernau