Le Rive Gauche sur Narbonne

15/08/2026: A mixed experience for this second lunch (the first in May 2025 was exceptional). The setting is splendid and the food truly delicious. The service, however, was shocking: the waitress was cold and her manner was forced. She noisily placed the water bottle on the dessert spoon. When pouring the wine, she left a trail of drops on the table, without apologizing or wiping them away!? There were no olives or petits fours with the aperitif. The meat dishes on both menus lacked variety: only beef. And all the meat in the starters and main courses was raw or just seared: not everyone likes this type of cooking, or beef in particular. The wine was average (€45 a bottle, though). Considering the price (€180 for two), we were disappointed this time. We will still come back a 3rd time to give it a second chance, but out of season and we will take a good look at the menu before (and the next customer reviews).

15/08/2026: On my way to visit my brother in La Londe-les-Maures, I passed by Fontfroide Abbey again, where I had once had lunch at the restaurant whose owner at the time was a friend: Nicolas de Chevron Villette. For the past 16 years, as a consultant for a two-Michelin-starred chef, I've rediscovered dishes at the restaurant, still in a pleasant setting, that I thoroughly enjoyed, particularly the squid strips accompanied by a duo of coco and lingot beans in a parsley sauce, red pepper coulis, and crisp fennel. Both the taste and the presentation were perfect (see attached photo). The elegant and trilingual restaurant manager did a great job. The major disappointment came from the wines, which are no longer from the estate next to the abbey, but rather from the famous "Deo Gratias." Dissatisfied, I opted for a non-alcoholic beer.