Meet Jardin Secret, a gem tucked away on a facet road within the antiquated village of Cotignac in Provence.
You could be pondering: What makes this place so particular?
Positioned within the coronary heart of the village of Cotignac, which I’d argue is among the most charming ones within the Haut-Var area of Provence, Le Jardin Secret is about an hour drive from the cities of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille and 45 minutes from the Gorges du Verdon. It’s a secret backyard hideaway surrounded by flowers and herbs, the place dishes will take you away.
Welcome to Jardin Secret
Behind the centuries-old stones of a constructing nestled amongst vineyards and olive bushes, the restaurant advocates naturalness and a return to fundamentals. Chef Benoit Witz, who I had the possibility to satisfy within the kitchen briefly, creates instinctive delicacies, pushed by seasonal produce. Every day, a singular three-or four-course menu celebrates Provence in its most genuine kind. That interprets to this: You by no means know what what’s going to be on supply, however I can guarantee you, the dishes received’t disappoint.
Did I point out that they’ve nice cocktails and mocktails? And bread. Europe is the one place I take pleasure in bread basket after bread basket and don’t placed on the burden or really feel bloated. It’s their dedication to wholesome natural farming with out infusing all of the dangerous chemical compounds that throw your system out of synch.
Not lengthy after we arrived, the 12:30 pm church bells went off within the distance, a reminder of the antiquity of the place and the truth that it was Sunday.
Accompaniments come to the desk first.
Yeah, I introduced our e book with us.
The out of doors patio is totally charming and at occasions, you are feeling as if you happen to’re sitting amongst a mini jungle. The pure environs are inspiring and welcoming.
I began with a scrumptious Viognier as a result of it was an ideal pairing for the dishes we have been about to order. Later, they inspired us to attempt their Sancerre les Calcaires (2022) which was an ideal advice. Each have been scrumptious. Different ones value calling out embrace the Mirabeau Pure Rose and a neighborhood Cotignac wine known as Clos de ‘Ours (Milia 2023). They have been so good for the nice and cozy Autumn day.
We began with Grilled Squid with eggplant and basil over veggies. It was so contemporary and light-weight, an ideal option to begin the luncheon.
Above and beneath, the Grilled Squid at Jardin Secret in Cotignac
This fascinating appetizer (beneath) is named a Boa Bun, which is thought for its comfortable texture. The time period is a repetition of the Chinese language phrase for bun, “bao,” which suggests “to wrap”. Inside this one was squid and the discount sauce consists of white wine, tomato, onions, garlic, carrots, celery and pistou, which is the Provençe equal of Pesto. Pistou is a Provençal sauce comprised of basil, garlic, and olive oil—just like Italian pesto however sometimes doesn’t embrace nuts or cheese. The identify comes from the Provençal phrase for “to pound” or “crush,”—consider the the standard methods we used to crush or grind utilizing a mortar and pestle.
A Bao with Squid at Jardin Secret in Cotignac
Then out got here the mains, which have been as scrumptious as they have been fantastically offered. The hen dish was served with foie gras and accompanied with carrots, mushrooms, inexperienced beans, potatoes, onions and basil after all. I can by no means get sufficient of Basil and we develop massive pots of it in our backyard at house.
Subsequent up on their inviting plates was the Royal Shrimp with Quails Eggs and Spinach. The sauce is made with cream, French dressing, and a neighborhood spice they check with as Espelette, which is a wide range of Capsicum annuum that’s cultivated within the French commune of Espelette, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, the northern a part of Basque nation. Simply have a look at this presentation – it was completely divine.
Then there’s dessert. How about this Pastry Dough concoction with do-it-yourself vanilla ice cream and apples, good for the Fall Season.
One of many issues I had forgotten was how numerous the French cheese board choices are in comparison with the states. After I lived in Europe, it was widespread to finish a meal with cheese and right here, at Jardin Secret, we did as properly. We paired it with KIR, which the waiter steered. It’s a famend French cocktail made with white wine and crème de cassis, a candy blackcurrant liqueur. It’s historically served as an apéritif. One thing often known as Kir Royale is a variation, made with the identical components however makes use of glowing wine relatively than white wine.
Beneath, our KIR selections — we went with Pêche (peach) and Mûre (blackberry), each good selections with the cheese board.
Beneath, you’ll get a style of their kitchen.
The skin space is admittedly the true gem of the place (along with the meals after all). You are feeling as if you happen to’re sitting amongst a sustainable backyard and lifestyle. In different phrases, it isn’t only for present.
Afterwards at Lou Calen (the resort related to Jardin Secret), they provide live shows and different leisure. We have been fortune to be there throughout a weekend the place they’d a classical live performance with 4 musicians. Zofia Neugebauer joined us on flute, Mihaly Racz on trumpet, Marcell Szabo on piano and Mattias Nicely on violin. Generally the live shows are held outdoors and different occasions contained in the La Farandole. Beneath is the live performance we skilled, held inside with home windows going through nature and an eclectic, artistic and colourful ceiling. Bravo!
The efficiency was known as SCHUBERT IN MOSAICS and it was so becoming given the musical picks and the ceiling design. The artists we heard from have been winners of the Fanny Mendessohn Awards, a corporation that honors younger classical musicians. It’s an exquisite program and we have been grateful to have the ability to be there for a Fall occasion.
We completely liked this expertise, a lot in order that I’ve listed it in Renee’s High Pics. For those who make it to Provence within the Summer time or Fall, be sure you try their schedule and don’t overlook to e book a luncheon at Jardin Secret. Particulars beneath.
DETAILS:
Jardin Secret
13 Rue de l’Araignée
83570 Cotignac
Renee Blodgett is the founding father of We Weblog the World. The positioning combines the magic of a web-based tradition and journey journal with a world weblog community and has contributors from each continent on the planet. Having lived in 10 international locations and explored over 90, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural variety. She can also be the founding father of the Magdalene Assortment, a jewellery line devoted to girls’s unsung voices and tales, and the award-winning creator of the bestselling e book Magdalene’s Journey
She is founding father of Blue Soul Media and co-founder of Blue Soul Earth in addition to the producer and host of the award-winning Blue Soul CHATS podcast, that bridges science, know-how and spirituality. Renee additionally based Magic Sauce Media, a brand new media providers consultancy centered on viral advertising and marketing, social media, branding, occasions and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped corporations from 12 international locations get traction available in the market. Identified for her international and natural method to product and company launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an energetic consumer of social media, she helps shoppers navigate digital waters from around the globe. Renee has been running a blog for over 16 years and often writes on her private weblog Down the Avenue, Huffington Submit, BlogHer, We Weblog the World and different websites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Journal and is listed as a brand new media influencer and recreation changer on numerous websites and books on the brand new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed because the sixth most influential girl in social media by Forbes Journal on a High 20 Listing.
Her ardour for artwork, storytelling and images led to the launch of Magic Sauce Pictures, which is a visible extension of her writing, the results of which has led to producing six picture books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee can also be the co-founder of Touring Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to different international locations to share and be taught from friends, governments, firms, and most of the people with the intention to educate, share, consider, and promote progressive applied sciences.
