Sunday 13 August 2006
Un diner à la Colombe d’Or
[A dinner at la Colombe d'Or]
When I was offered a dinner at La Colombe d’Or I could help but accept. I mean, who would have preferred to stay at home with a bowl of pasta when you can visit one of the most beautiful restaurants of the French Riviera.
La Colombe d’Or is an auberge created in 1932 by a lovely couple that made it famous for both the art and the food.
And indeed, the place is gorgeous: from the beautiful white and blue themed terrace to the house – filled with thousands of stunning pieces of art.
But the greatest surprise was certainly what you could find behind the door at the back: the swimming pool, a hidden treasure somewhere between relaxation and luxury. There, I fell in love with the coloured tiles.
The food was unpretentious yet excellent. It was certainly no Ferran Adria or Hervé This but the simplicity made it spectacular.
What you could call cuisine provençale et familiale in French.
I had a lovely starter called Hors d’oeuvre – an assortment of dozens of ramequins: haricots, marinated red peppers, garlic beetroots, herring, couscous, Puy lentil salad, sardines… My favourites being: the delicious boudin noir [black pudding], the saffron rice and the tian de légumes.
The main course menu is well furnished – from lamb racks to quenelles de saumon. Simple and scrumptious!
A great selection of lovely dessert will please everyone; my little guilty pleasure being crème caramel. Yum, so good!
La Colombe d’Or is a great place to visit either to discover a haut-lieu of the post-world-war French art or simply to enjoy a glass of good wine, delicious provençal food and the beauty of the house and have an innoubliable [unforgettable] time.
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Sunday 13 August 2006
Beautiful photos, Fanny!
manouche said something sweet:Sunday 13 August 2006
Merci pour la visite guidée… J’en ai l’eau à la bouche !
Mae said something sweet:Sunday 13 August 2006
Fanny, your photos are exquisite! What a beautiful restaurant indeed. You know, i could eat 2 of those creme caramel and still say… NOT GUILTY! :) it looks absolutely incredible. I wish i was there.
jenjen said something sweet:Monday 14 August 2006
Fanny, as always your photgraphs are stunning. This place looks so heavenly and your photos make me feel that I am there.
keiko said something sweet:Monday 14 August 2006
Look at the creme caramel! glad you had a lovely time.
geneve said something sweet:Tuesday 15 August 2006
Wish I was there – this place sounds magical!
Camille said something sweet:Thursday 17 August 2006
Merci de nous faire partager ce fabuleux dîner ! Tes photos sont sublimes… je sais, ce n’est pas un scoop !!!
valentina said something sweet:Friday 18 August 2006
Sounds so idylic. Your pictures makes us feel ‘there’as well.
johanna said something sweet:Tuesday 22 August 2006
Hi Fanny, St.Paul is one of my favourite spots in Provence, I love all the galleries and the beautiful buildings – I have eaten at Le St. Paul before and have, of course, always passed the Colombe D’Or wondering what it would be like – although I have never managed to get a reservation. I am glad I can now enjoy its atmosphere and cuisine through your post!
Cupcake Queen said something sweet:Tuesday 22 August 2006
Fanny: We had lunch there in June and had the most magical time. I adored all the artwork and the pool, too. We had the same appetizer…can’t wait to go back again! Did you get to the Maeght Musee while you were there?
Fanny said something sweet:Saturday 26 August 2006
Catherine – thank you
Manouche – de rien. Rien d’exceptionnel pour le menu, mais le lieu et les desserts en valent la peine.
Mae – i could eat two as well. Thankfully for my waist i had to share this one with my boyfriend.
Jen – thank you so much. I appreciate every single word.
Keiko – i know it looks (and was) so good.
Geneve – it’s was a bit magical indeed. Lovely candlelights, great pieces of arts, stunning swimming pool…
Camille – merci infiniment. Je trouve toujours mes photos moches, je crois que c’est syndromatique!
Valentina – i’m glad you enjoyed this post.
Johanna – lucky you! St Paul is definitely a great place for art!
Cupacke queen – actually i live just 15 minutes away from St Paul so i went to the Musée Maeght a fews times before. The exhibitions are always great there.
Thank you so much to all of you.
Gillian and Paul Goldberg said something sweet:Fanny
Monday 8 September 2008
Except for the wonderful ambience, we have never, at any price, had such dreadful food or service on all our travels around the world. To boot, this place DOES do different-priced menus, but only for those who are staying in the hotel (or friends and ‘celebrities’. If you are not one of these, you will only be given the a la carte menu). This place trades on its past, the current owner is an unbelievably ill-mannered boor – and there are much better places in Vence.
Beverly Dame said something sweet:Saturday 4 October 2008
We had lunch at the Colombe d’Or on Monday. What a wonderful way to pass an afternoon with friends. The food was, of course, very nice but the setting was even better. And according to our French luncheon companions there was a French movie star on the patio with us.
We’re now plotting a return and dinner in one of interior dining rooms.