Happy New Year 2009

When in the spring of 2002 Town & Country wrote a glowing review of L'Oustalet in a big article the magazine did on Provence, we made two predictions. The first was that it would become hard to get reservations here. The other was that while fame might inspire the kitchen to even greater culinary heights, it would not change the restaurant's essentially amiable character, ….: Chef Johannes Sailer's cooking is better than ever - refined, flavourful and sophisticated without being overly elaborate - and Madame Sailer and her staff continue to run the dining room in their usual friendly and efficient manner. What we did not predict was that the restaurant would ever move from its cozy niche in the village square of Gigondas, and that - almost unthinkable - it would change its title after years of building the name,
L'Oustalet, into virtually a legend in Provence.

But there it is - as of Valentine's Day 2004 the Sailers reopen in the neighbouring village of Sablet under the banner of Les Abeilles. Sablet's gain is Gigondas' loss, alas, but fans of this great restaurant will follow it anywhere, especially to the new location where for summer dining there is a large, pretty terrace shaded by plane trees. The dining room - quiet and subdued yet cheerful - is conducive to conversing with friends while enjoying a wonderful dinner. Try the cozy bar for an after-dinner digestif.