La Vague d’Or, Cheval Blanc, Saint Tropez
You needn’t be a hard-core foodie to surrender to the highly personal cuisine imagined by Michelin three-star chef, Arnaud Donckele, whose conceptual, nuanced textures unfurl with quiet elegance that defies categorical description. Dining here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that goes beyond the lovely sea-facing setting and multi-course epicurean journey. Begin with the signature starters dishes – open sea anchovies from the Mediterranean bathing in a lukewarm “ephemeral” sabayon sauce, or the Potager “Calin de la Piboule,” a medley of colourful vegetables and black olive “velvet” conceived as a tribute to the Bay of Saint-Tropez. Relish everything from the poetic menus (“A Tartlet of Angel Hair French Beans Harvested at Morning’s Dew”) to enchanting desserts like vanilla biscuits with strawberries spiked with basil and citrus.
Address: Plage de la Bouillabaisse, 83990 Saint-Tropez
Website: chevalblanc.com/la-vague-d-or-st-tropez
La Réserve, Ramatuelle
At the quiet end of the coast atop a bluff, the minimalist stylish La Réserve continues to shine, both for its professional spa (with an ultra-light menu) and as a glowing gastronomic destination, all masterminded by versatile Michelin two-star chef Eric Canino. Indulge in the tasting menu at La Voile – an extravaganza of red tuna carpaccio rubbed with exotic spices, and lobster galore (caviar, roasted or mascarpone-stuffed ravioli), plus John Dory fish, Bresse chicken, and a medley of citrus sorbets. Over at their Pampelonne beach outpost, La Réserve à la Plage, work up an appetite in the turquoise waves for a yummy lunch of marinated salmon tiradito, watermelon and feta salad, pork ribs and a custard cream tarte tropezienne.
Address:Chemin de la Quessine, 83350 Ramatuelle, France
Website: lareserve-ramatuelle.com