L'Oustau de la Mar sur Cassis

11/12/2025: An exceptional experience. I chose the game menu and thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Special mention goes to the hare, foie gras, and black truffle: an absolutely remarkable dish. Bravo to Norman chef Dimitri Droisneau and his entire team for this unforgettable moment.

06/12/2025: An unforgettable experience that transcends gastronomy, transcends "fine dining," and surpasses even what one imagines when thinking of a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. Villa Madie doesn't simply serve a meal; it offers a suspended, gentle, harmonious, and profoundly human moment. We were discovering haute cuisine for the very first time, and we couldn't have dreamed of a better setting. From the moment we arrived, everything was designed to soothe: soft lighting, a calm atmosphere, subtle music, and the perfect temperature. Nothing is jarring, nothing abrupt—everything flows smoothly, everything accompanies the experience. It's immediately clear that this establishment isn't about showmanship, but about precision. The service, remarkably precise, was also exceptionally gentle. The head waiters guided us with kindness, professionalism, and genuine warmth, never intrusive. Their discretion, their sincere smiles, and their evident pleasure in sharing the chef's work created a perfectly orchestrated, almost invisible, yet essential ballet. Every time we mentioned a dish, they humbly returned the compliment to the chef's talent—an elegant ritual that speaks volumes about the restaurant's philosophy. And then there's the cuisine. Dimitri Droisneau's cuisine. A cuisine that doesn't seek to impress but to move. A cuisine that doesn't shout, but whispers. A cuisine that doesn't overwhelm, but reveals. Everything is mastered: the textures, the cooking times, the iodine, the acidity, the Provençal herbs, the ever-present umami. We felt as if we were rediscovering ingredients we thought we knew. Each course on the menu tells a story: the sea, Provence, the light, the balance. You don't just eat: you travel. You discover. You taste the intention. You feel the precision. And above all, you experience that unique taste that lingers long after the last bite: a blend of happiness and sweetness, that enveloping umami sensation that continues to resonate even after a final coffee. The chef came to greet the tables. Humble, unassuming, and genuine, he added an emotional depth to an already profound meal. Something authentic, something real. A word also for the team's thoughtfulness: having heard we were celebrating a birthday, they offered a sublime extra dessert, presented with a smile that, in itself, was worth all the stars in the world. We left satisfied, but with a refined satiety: the kind that nourishes without weighing us down, that satisfies without overwhelming us, the kind that leaves an indelible memory. Villa Madie has not only earned its three stars: if a fourth existed, it would deserve it too. It is a place of heart, precision, and truth. A place where gastronomy becomes emotion. A place where you feel welcomed, respected, and at peace. A place we will never forget. Thank you to Chef Dimitri Droisneau. Thank you to his team. Thank you for this moment that will remain etched in our memories forever.