Jardin Secret - Réserver une table

Magical setting, but falls short on the cuisine and service that the price implies. After an unprepossessing initial climb up a ramp from the car park behind the main street, suddenly you emerge into the fantasy world of a secret garden with water tinkling along little culverts between the plants, and a loggia above… just as the old hillside terraces used to be… to the side, the pigionnier now converted into a luxury hotel room, ahead the old house that is now the restaurant. The whole is part of an amazing project to restore and convert not only the old Lou Calendar hotel at the top of the main street, but also a whole series of buildings on the hillside behind into a world of magical luxury of accommodation and eating, set in beautiful shady gardens. We were greeted in the entrance lobby of the restaurant and shown to our table (indoors, since this was the evening in early spring), which amazingly was in a private room (this was once someone’s house, and the rooms haven’t been knocked together, they just stay as they were). We had a great big old wooden table and even our own old-fashioned record player with a good supply of records so we could have old French chansons playing in the background. Orders were taken, wine served, amuse-bouche arrived — all so far so good. And both starters and desserts were excellent — the latter a lovely light crispy pastry with red fruits and cream. So why not five stars? The main course was very disappointing, little more than a large chunk of meat. And the service, sadly, fell away at the end — dessert took ages and ages to arrive, the staff chatted incessantly with guests in an adjoining room, the bill took about ten minutes to be delivered. Fingers crossed that on a relatively new restaurant there are still teething problems, it is tricky to bring everything up the steps from the kitchen downstairs (not necessary in summer, since the outdoor terrace is on the kitchen level), and hopefully a more imaginative main course can be provided. But meanwhile, the pricing is set at a level that implies much smoother service and much more consistent cooking across all the courses. Looking forward to these problems getting ironed out! Cotignac really needs a great restaurant and this is frustratingly close to being it….

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We ate here as a group of 6 friends and although disappointed to be eating indoors, due to the weather, the ambience was very good in our own private room. The staff were attentive but not overbearing, and the food was excellent. It was a set menu, however it was good to have a choice for the main course, which we had heard was not the case This was our first visit for well over a year, having been previously disappointed by the levels of service and value for money, and we are pleased to have it back on our good restaurant list. Not the cheapest restaurant in the village, but you get what you pay for, and we will be back.

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The best meal I have had anywhere for many, many years. Benoit the two starred Michelin chef is seemingly a magician in the kitchen. His creations are mouth wateringly exciting and charming at the same time. The setting is beautiful and a homely atmosphere has been created. If you are staying in Cotignac, don't miss the opportunity of eating here. It is excellent value and comfortably the best restaurant in the village.

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Cadre idyllique. Cuisine saine et raffinée. Le service est aux petits soins. Nous avons pris une option végétarienne délicieuse. Petit bémol pour le dessert, la crème était un peu grainée mais les goûts sont au rendez vous.

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Très bon chef et and éte très bell terrasse. Hautement recommandé. (Avis d'origine) Very good chief and in the summer a very nice terrace. Fat hitter.

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