Le Carré d'Alethius

Between the départements of Drôme and Ardèche, this restaurant named after Roman senator Alethius has a distinctly Provençal air about it. The villa is arranged around a square courtyard, a gorgeous verdant patio where you can dine in fine weather. After working for Jean-Michel Lorain at La Côte Saint-Jacques, Olivier Samin occupied the post of sous-chef for Anne-Sophie Pic for a long time. He delivers fresh cuisine that reflects the seasons and market availability (eg regional fruit and vegetables, escargots from Helix Eyrieux, local cheeses), and he also has a tremendous sense of balance: precise cooking and meticulously plated creations.