La Chassagnette - Arles

I’puzzeled the site is fun in the middle of Camargue. One eats outside in a cube made of mosquito net. The food is good its a one star Michelin guide restaurant but nothing absolutely outstanding. I had been there before and had the same...impression except for the pidgeon which was lovely. Would I come back ? Not unless I was invited !

We were four happy Arlesiens! It had taken us too long to get around to La Chassagnette it's well out of town but we finally organised for lunch on a glorious sunny day day. Setting, staff, and wines were superb. But the food... we had the five course lunch was just spectacular! Seasonal fruits and vegetables are the stars here, with particular items highlighted at the peak of their quality. Fruit, vegetables and flowers from the restaurant's garden accompanied local tuna, ray and lamb. The restaurant is bio/organic and is also gluten free. (The gluten free bread was the best any of us had ever tasted). We added to the spectacle by indulging in a 2005 Bertagna Nuits Saint Georges Premier Cru, which opened up beautifully after a somewhat cold start. Definitely the essence of the Camargue on five plates! We'll be back for more!

A magical place. Garden to table...an approachable and charismatic chef, impeccable service all around. Not to miss if you are within 100 km of this restaurant. Natural wines on the list a big bonus !

I had not visited La Chassagnette for many years and it was a great re-discovery. The cuisine, which 5 years ago surprised by its innovation, has now reached full blown maturity. Each dish is a balanced composition of delicate savours, at the cross-road between Far East and Camargue, with the respect, common to both Japanese and French cookings, that the Chef is merely there to magnify the products by delicate brushstrokes and associations. No gimmicks and no extravaganza, but a form of neo-classism, essential and refined. Also worth mentioning is a very interesting wine list, managed by a curious mind with hidden gems at reasonable price. At lunch time in the Summer, the outdoor terrace shed by a thick vine invites to linger well into the afternoon. Of course, compared to 7 or 8 years ago, the bill has become explosive. Too bad, as it limits the number of opportunities to come back.

I was lucky enough to be a guest at a family lunch recently. We had a perfectly sumptuous gastronomic experience with highlights being the prawn ceviche, the pigeon and the chocolate cookie (never had a chocolate cookie like that before). The flavours were subtle and sublime. The service however was slow. It is a beautiful setting for a summer lunch in the Camargue, with good protection from the sun in the form of a permanent structure covered in canes.