In a village with a mere 710 souls, beautiful timbered houses and a 14th-century abbey, you won’t want to miss Le Bouche à Oreille! In his eco-friendly, musically minded restaurant (bistro tables, red faux leather benches, a stage for small concerts at the back of the room), owner Arthur Pailhès takes orders while his partner Séverine, a slow food advocate and Arpège-trained chef, sends out some seriously impressive grub. In her kitchen, you won’t find anything but local, organic ingredients, including vegetables from Léontine Dewitt’s permaculture garden, lamb from Clotilde Sibille or bread from country baker Marie Cosoglio. Featured on the menu the other day at lunch: a lovely salad combining leeks, orange, mustard greens, winter purslane, olives and sweet onions; stunning lamb shoulder rubbed with bay leaf, honey and fermented lemons, perfectly cooked at a low temperature and served with carrots and crushed hazelnuts; before a smoked chocolate tart for the very simple but no less remarkable dessert. // P.L.
FEELING THIRSTY? Holy wines: a Côtes-du-Rhône red from Marcel Richaud (€4 a glass), a Roussillon red from Stéphane Morin (€21.90 a bottle), a Gaillac Mauzac from Plageoles (€27)…. Or an organic Gers brew from the Brasserie La Roque (€4.50 for 330 ml).
PRICE: Menus €15.60 (lunch), €19.80 (Friday night), €22 (Saturday night) and €32 (Thursday night, five courses).
