Would appreciate lunch suggestions. Don't need a Michelin place or formal, just good food. Will be there in July, probably on a Friday.

Stu, what are your recommendations?

Anyone else? Thanks.

Sebinah
Los Altos

I hope that you realize that the Michelin guide also recommends very good places to eat in the lower price category as well..

It is a mistake to think that Michelin is only fancy or expensive.

Look in the guide for "one forks" or "two fork" restaurants where you will eat well and they will show you the lunch and dinner prices.

Especially good value are the "BibGourmand" choices which are noted with two little coins next to the listing. Means a good meal and excellent value/low price.

Of course there are good little places that don't make it into Michelin, but I have found that the ones in the guide are almost always reliable and pleasant.

If you don't have a specific rec in a place, then Michelin is always a good backup in the lower price range as well.
Bon appetit, Rouss

ttt

The main square of Lourmarin has 2 cafes across from each other. They both have outdoor spaces together. You have to sit in the color of chair that belongs to your cafe. They are are both very acceptable. There is also a 1 star michelin restaurant at the hotel near the square (I forget the name). We ate there, had the daily special and were not impressed. At the same time one of the cafes in the square was serving a special meal that sounded great.

Friends of ours who spend a lot of time in that area really like La Cavette.
http://www.lacavette-luberon.com/

And a little "behind the scenes" info about the owner:
http://www.livingfrance.com/lvfra/co...?ArticleID=256

Le Fournil in Bonnieux (04 90 75 83 62) is a very popular choice. We had an OK meal there several years ago. Make sure you reserve ahead & ask for an outside table. It's on the western side of Bonnieux, so if you arrive from Lourmarin, you'll pass through most of Bonnieux before you spot the restaurant. Look for the large market umbrellas on your left.

Like roussillon said, the Michelin Guide list restaurants in all price & formality categories. Le Fournil is a 1 knife & fork - least formal/elegant.

Stu Dudley

We like Le Fournil alot. Across from it is Le Tinel, not as good but less expensive and it has a terrific view of the country side.
For a more expensive dining spot, The Bastise de Capelongue in Lourmarin. La Closerie and the Moulin de Lourmarin.

We've eaten at just about every restaurant in Bonnieux. La Flambee is a simple place with great food, popular with locals-- there is a terrace that looks out over the valley. Daube de boeuf is one of their specialities.

La Cavette is now closed, and a new restaurant-- L'Arome-- has opened in the same location. We had dinner there a few weeks ago, and it was excellent.

In between Bonnieux and Lourmarin, one possibility would be Auberge des Seguins, in a dramatic spot beneath the high cliffs of Buoux. We had a wonderful lunch there during our recent trip, and you can't beat the setting. http://www.lesseguins.com/anglais/accueil_ang.htm

You'll find many restaurant reviews for Bonnieux and Lourmarin here: http://www.slowtrav.com/france/resta...asp?r=Provence

Friday is market day in both Bonnieux and Lourmarin. Especially in July, a reservation could be very important... even if just made that morning.

Kathy

Bookmarking

Here's some more info about L'Arome, the new restaurant in Bonnieux. We highly recommend it.

http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/wood/archives/002020.html

Kathy

Thanks Kaydee, that's a new one for me.

Our best meal in Lourmarin was at LaLouche a' Beurre. We had wonderful crepes with eggs, mushrooms and cheese.

The Carpaccio of Beef was also very good.
This restaurant was very reasonably priced.
I don't know if they are open for lunch or not.