One of my favorite restaurants in Provence is Le Bistrot du Paradou. When you go there, you feel almost like family. The staff is super-nice and the food is excellent.
I love the fact that you get whatever they are serving that day – with a few choices. There is normally a choice between two appetizers (such as, their mesclun salad and escargot) to start. For the main course, you will often have a choice of the daily special or else chicken. The main course is followed by a cheese course and then dessert.
On my visits, I have had cassoulet, roasted lamb, roasted chicken, coq au vin and rabbit. Everything was prepared perfectly and was so flavorful. Their cheeses (primarily local goat’s milk cheeses) are delicious and the desserts are house-made and wonderful – chocolate tart, lemon tart, walnut tart, chocolate mousse, peaches in wine, etc.
Owner Jean-Louis Pons takes care of the front of the house while his wife, Mireille Pons, prepares the amazing food.
Reservations are much harder to come by now, as more people are finding out about this memorable place.
Le Bistrot du Paradou
15 ave. de la Vallee des Baux
Paradou, France 13520
04 90 54 32 70