The best Drôme spot in all of Nyons! It’s holed up in a 20 m2 space with four small tables, fifties-era tiling and a map of France made from wine corks as the only decorative touch. That’s where Florian Bras and Valentin Ecochard, two friends who met at the École Hôtelière d’Arbois, draw in gourmet diners from near and far with their sublime wine list. What’s more, Val’ (ex-Lausanne Palace) sent out a sensational menu at an affordable price the day we went for lunch: moist gougères served as an amuse-bouche; a striking veal carpaccio with savory, Nyons olives and homemade sun-dried tomatoes; masterfully prepared free-range chicken supreme with creamy Comté polenta and a reduction; before a mouthwatering pear poached with thyme, frozen yogurt and a sesame tuile. At night, the menu takes things up a notch: a veal-pork-foie gras pâté en croûte; a Montbéliarde steak with spelt wheat and morel mushrooms; and a piping hot Grand Marnier soufflé. // Antoine Antoine

FEELING THIRSTY? A plethoric wine list: 665 Jours, a Côtes-du-Rhône white from the Clos des Mourres (€6 a glass), Aux Bois, a Côtes-du-Jura Savagnin from the Domaine des Marnes Blanches (€33 a bottle), Madame Placard, a Beaujolais from Yvon Métras (€48)…
PRICE: Menus €23 (lunch), à la carte €41-53 (dinner).