Editor Pick
Inn St. Paul
- September 2, 2002
- Rated 4 of 5 by
pointerbd from Norristown, Pennsylvania
The Inn of St.Paul has to be a place I will forever remember as having great food and lovely atmosphere at reasonable prices. Situated romantically inside the restored medieval fortress of Villefranche, the new owner and chef have spared nothing to create a truly gourmet dining event. From the moment you arrive at the church public garden that is the site of the restaurant's terraced outdoor tables, you will be enchanted. Hundreds of candles looking like little fireflies lit the path to the tables. A restored chapel actually makes up the inn itself, with dining available inside during the cooler months. Menu items were of the market fresh local variety and tasted just caught or just picked. I started with a first course of lobster rounds served on a bed of mesclun greens, diced tomato and asparagus with a light viniagrette dressing. I followed this with a juicy slice of lamb coupled with some delicately grilled eggplant, squash, carrots and mushrooms. My dining partner selected a mushroom and ham canneloni served on a bed of warm spinach drizzled with walnut oil. Her main course was a seafood selection, nicely seasoned and presented with a basil emulsion. It consisted of squid, small fish,mussels served over a tomato pasta. We each had 2 glasses of Rivesaltes, a famous local wine. The dessert tray looked delectable but descriptions were complicated so we decided to just end with a cheese course. It was a good selection as the 3 different types of cheese were served with some sliced peaches of the freshest kind. Service was pleasant and eager to please. Everything was quite elegant and presented extremely well, yet not snobby or pretentious. It is a place I hope to visit again.
From journal One of the Most Charming Villages in France...