We'll be staying in Marsailles, Cassis, Vaison-la-Romaine, Gordes and Avignon on a trip the end of September. Two nights in each. Would love to have your recommendations for restaurants. I have all the "listed" places for the splashy dinners, but we love the little local places that are overlooked by the guidebooks. We're all foodies and are looking so forward to great local meals and wine, however we don't always find that bigger is better. Some of our most memorable meals have been less about the food and more about the people or the atmosphere. Thanks.

Le Mas Tourteron in the tiny village of Les Imberts, very near Gordes.

I'll second Grandmere's resto.It has the wonderful chef, (one of the best in Provence) Elizebeth Bourgoius(Sp?)If you read French buy her cookbook. Mine is not enough to translate her recipes.
The Le Bellfroi in Romaine. Even if for a drink the view from the terrace is nice.
Outside of Vaison in Seguret, two excellant restos, Mesclun and La table du Comtat.
In Avignon the wonderful Heily Lucullus,
Christian Etienne, wonderful al fresco overlooking the palace of the popes.
Hotel Europe
you will be in the area here of the Abby of Senanque, one of the most photographed places even when the lavender is not in bloom. (sunday chants) Also you will be neat The Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, I recommend dining At Chez Philip overlooking the falls and there is a Jewish museum and paper making site.
Cassis is fun any Quaiside dining, I had my first Oursins(sea urchins)here. They should be in season at your visit.
Marsailles, I've yet to explore but hoping to find a great Bouillabaisse by the old port in early September.

I recommend Ferme de la Huppe, just outside Gordes. wonderful, charming little place. It's listed in the Fodor's Provence restaurant index.

I'll second cigalechanta's recommendation of La Table du Comtat in Seguret! Mimi, I didn't know you'd been there, too; quite an obscure setting, isn't it? I don't think I've ever seen it mentioned here before.

nor has Mesclun, which has a better view. they really should trim the trees on the terrace at La table, they block the scenery.

A nice restaurant in Avignon, which has been recommended on this site previously is Le Vernet, on Rue Vernet, Avignon.

It has a very nice outdoor garden for al-fresco dining, and as recently as June 2003, the food was very good and the price not overwhelming at all..

I hope you have a great trip!! Best wishes, Dave

In Gordes we highly recommend Les Comptoirs de Victuiller or something close to that. It's right on the main square. It's owned by Jean Michel Schmidt, a real character, and has excellent Daube. It was one of our favorite meals in Provence. Also in Gordes we enjoyed a lovely meal at La Gacholle, a hotel of modern Italian style, just outside the city perched on a lovely hilltop with an open air balcony where meals are served on artsy square glass plates with compartments for the various beautiful foods. Terrific. In Avignon, try the Auberge de Cassagne, in the nearby suburb of Pontet. It's a Michelin one star set in a beautiful garden with large trees. Good food and one of the best cheese carts anywhere. In Cassis any of the places on the harbor are great fun.

Thanks to all. Keep the suggestions coming. I'm printing them all.

I got some very good recommendations for Avignon on this thread: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34413663

I enjoyed meals at Le Vernet, Le Chandelier and L'Epicerie in Avignon.