This is the story of three friends – Antoine Fourès (ex-Camdeborde and Aux Deux Amis in Paris), Alexandre Béné and Erwan Belpaume (ex-Compagnie des vins surnaturelles in London), who got their hands on a country inn in the middle of the Aveyron department and gave it a cool new makeover (vintage furniture, a foosball table, a colorful terrace…). What should you expect? Locally sourced ingredients (vegetables from Les Roualdès in Port-Agrès, charcuterie from La Ferme de Mayrinhac in Rodelle), which Antoine faultlessly stitches together with zero fuss. For us, the night we went: a very simple grated carrot salad with pomelo, feta and cilantro; memorable pan-fried chanterelles that were freshly harvested, placed atop a slightly lemony butternut squash purée and sprinkled with almonds and chives; before a lovely apple crumble or peach melba with lemon meringue on the side. At lunch, there’s a menu ouvrier that might feature something like rice salad, sausage with mashed potatoes and fouace (an Aveyron galette) prepared like French toast. // P.L.
FEELING THIRSTY? Alexandre unearths natural, regional wines: an Hérault white from Le Clos Rouge (€6 a glass), a Marcillac from Yvan-Marie Rufié (€21 a bottle), a Gaillac red from Plageoles (€25)…
PRICE: Menu €13.50 (lunch), plates €3.50 to €15.50 (dinner).
