grahamtigg

I was told last year Le Temps de Vivre had closed, but this perhaps explains why on our last visit Laurent was running the whole show (kitchen, front of house). Not the most relaxed lunch experience sadly.

Thanks Pierre, have already taken Ann's suggestion and booked Stephane Derbord.

Not a suggestion but a second request - we're considering Dijon as a stopover so interested in any dinner recommendations. Similar criteria to Nikkib with a slightly larger budget if necessary given that bargain lunch menus obviously won't be available.

Casual is fine - if smart jeans is you then that's certainly acceptable.

I haven't come across much about L'Auberge du Vieux Puits (down in Corbières and pretty remote). Dined there back in 1998 and didn't feel a pull to return let alone anything to suggested a future three star establishment.

Interesting timing. I came across this interview with Pujol Izard yesterday having never heard of it before. In French though. Pujol Izard on Love that Languedoc

Le Mimosa indeed, but they don't open until 26th March. If you are there then and don't mind the drive (1h 20m) then go. Sunday lunch would make the journey easier (the only day they open for lunch).

For strong Michelin 1*s in the area I'd recommend Octopus in Beziers and La Galinette in Perpignan. O'Bontemps in Magalas is up there as well and great fun. En Bonne Compagnie in next door Homps has a nice Canal setting but doesn't open until Easter. Les Halles in Narbonne are excellent for local produce. You will be on the border of duck and goose territory. A bit early for new seasons produce, but you should be OK for Asparagus later in the month. Plenty more restaurants and notes on local dishes plus wines on my sites (see signature). Have a great time.

Parigi - totally agree and excellent advice. For some reason Sete struggles with acceptable restaurants and value for money. Bouzigues across the Etang does a bit better.

Thank you for all the supportive comments on my site. I would also recommend Arrazat's Aubergines which is Patrick Moon's follow up book to Virgil's Vineyard. It has a bit more substance with plenty more food and drink related addresses.

Being based in the middle of the Herault these days means that there have been few ventures down to the Pyrenees Oriental in recent years. If you're around Beziers then Octopus is a fine favourite and very consistent. At Gignac (north of Pezanas) De Lauzun is up and coming and was awarded a Michelin star this year just 14 months after opening his first restaurant. In a different mould, we still love the nearby Mimosa that continues to refine simple preparations and shun fashions.

If you venture to Perpignan we had an excellent meal last year at La Galinette, 23 Rue Jean Payra 04 68 35 00 90. Fish dishes are the speciality and the vegetables are local organic.

Thank you for posting such fine observations Gavin. Good to hear Entrepots was on form. My only grumble is the lack of everyday priced wines on the list, the reds started at 20 € for the house specimen. La Table Saint Crescent has history. The current chef Lionel Giraud's father Claud had a restaurant in Narbonne that achieved two Michelin stars that went bust in the early '90s, but he bounced back. After a spell in a neighbourhood site he obviously stuck a deal with the Palais du Vin that lower overheads and offered exceptional value, especially for everyday wines as you experienced. This decade Lionel has gradually taken over and is moving the cooking forward with his cutting edge creations, but there are some more restrained offerings on the carte. Personally I find the location ideal if one is driving as it's out of the town centre. Le Temps de Vivre is the subject of Patrick Moon's book Arrazat's Aubergines. A good read that also covers other local gastronomic highlights. The restaurant struggled with the upgrading of the Lodeve bypass that caused dreadful bouchons for at least two years. They have keep going and you always know Laurent will be personally preparing your plats. His mentors were the Pourcel's at Le Jardin de Sens in its heyday. Your not alone is failing to find a decent meal in Clermont l'Herault.

O Bontemps is the restaurant of the moment in the area and seems to be booked up weeks ahead this time of year. Just as good, and I find a little more refined, it Octopus in Beziers (Olivier B helped establish it a few years ago). Reserve a table outside in their private courtyard. Went to le Temps de Vivre last year and the cooking is still excellent. Go in daylight to enjoy the view. L'Entrepots is a good choice if in Pezenas. Another place to consider and reasonable striking distance from Soubes is Ocre Rouge in Herepian. Our most recent discovery in the area is de Lauzun in Gignac. A bit more urban than country but the chef has talent and sound training.

We had lunch at O Bontemps on the second day of opening back in June. There's no doubt Olivier can cook - the Galette de pieds en mousse de volaille (literally pigs trotters cake with chicken mousse) was one of the star dishes, as vas a faux-fillet of veau. The wine list had some serious bargains. Service was slowed by the unreasonable number of walk-ins – eventually they needed to turn people away. Why can’t people make reservations? The only other gripe is the large portion sizes; I mentioned this and it sounds like it's been fixed. Will definitely go back when we’re down in September. <p> There are four other recent openings in the area I’d recommend. Use the links to find co-ordinates. <p> L'Entre Pots, Pézenas, similar style to O Bontemps. Seriously popular and that can put a strain on the service. <p> La Terrace du Mimosa, Montpeyroux, the Pugh’s of the nearby Le Mimosa have taken over what was the ailing Les Vins de l’Horloge. <p> L'Adonis Rouge, Nr.Olargues, a seriously remote location in the chestnut forests of the Haut-Languedoc. Sublime imaginative dishes from locally sourced ingredients. <p> L'Ocre Rouge, Hérépian, has actually been open a year or so. Young couple from Paris put on a fine solo show with cooking that keeps it refreshingly simple.