On their chalkboard advertising their daily specials, La Cassolette wishes you Bonne Dégustation! And Bonne Dégustation it certainly is!
I spot the chalkboard on our first lap of the tiny hilltop town,on arrival from Cannes in the morning. It promises a menu that the Michelin guide was built on and indeed it boasts three Michelin stickers in the window: 2019, 2020 and 2024. I log it in my mind for later, a forerunner for tonight.
La Cassolette
When we return in the evening after another round of the town on foot, I’m sold. There are a couple of other restaurants in the small square that are already filling up. This little corner, just outside of the Hotel de Ville, is still quiet. We are seated straight away as, across the square, a musician starts up. Ordering a bottle of wine, a La Martinelle Château, Côtes de Provence), which we think is quite fitting, plus it makes me feel like we’re fitting in.
With two of each entrée, main and dessert on offering, the menu choice is easy and we once again sit back to take in our surroundings and enjoy the European evening atmosphere.
It’s not long before we have a little chef’s compliment on the table. Some olive tapenade and crusty bread. I like the tapenade, it’s packed with flavour and not too salty. Jason sticks to the bread.
Plat du Jour
When our entrées arrive, it’s difficult to decide where to start. The homemade foie gras, with apricot and ginger chutney, is rather delectable. On the other hand, the (also) handmade parmesan tart with candied tomatoes and goat cheese mousse wins on the optics. In the end I declare them equals, unable to distinguish a favorite.
There is an entirely suitable pause between entrée finishing and our main arriving. It gives us time to sip our wine and observe the musician, making his way around the tables. My Sea Bream fillet with curried cauliflower and seasonal vegetables seemed a bit of an odd combination on the page. On my pallet, however, it all makes perfect sense! Still, I eye Jason‘s poultry fillet and mash potatoes with summer black truffle enviously. If only we were to have another night here. I make do with a second mouthful, before he makes it all disappear.
Desert is more difficult choice than anticipated. With an à la carte selection, in the end Jason settles on the apple pineapple crumble with vanilla ice cream, while I select the nougat. A rest break in between nearly cost Jason his apple crumble as I’m eyeing it off when it arrives in his absence. Lucky for him the photos and live music distract me, and he returns to his , third course unharmed.
The Crumble, Le Crumble, pommes ananas servi avec une boule de glace vanille (apple pineapple crumble served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream) sounds so simple and yet the flavors seem complex on my palate. The nougat glacé avec coulis de fruits rouges, frozen nougat with red fruit coulis, seems simpler, yet no less delicious.
Once again, I battle for a second try of Jason’s . I scrape up the last of the ice cream, having barely making it to the first taste, there’s almost nothing left. Once again they’re both so good. It’s difficult to distinguish our favorite and the desire to return tomorrow lingers.
An Evening to Remember
The musician makes his way over to our table for a serenade and we linger a little longer in the moment. Eventually the cheque arrives and it’s time to accept that dinner is done.
La Cassolette certainly lives up to all expectations of both it’s Michelin recommendations and Bonne Dégustation! This has been an evening to remember.
Good To Know
Vance is in the lesser visited, but must see hinterland of the Côte d’Azur. Here, medieval hilltop villages preside over the surrounding landscapes. Fine dining, fresh produce and local history are a focus for holiday makers. Many days could be spent wandering cobbled laneways and gazing at soothing scenery. Did I mention the fine dining?
La Cassolette is one of the many excellent choices in this small town.
Would I Return?
Yes