Four New Restaurants in the South of France

Not surprisingly, the south of France attracts many of the best young chefs in the country when they decide to open their own restaurants. The excellent local produce and wines, the pleasant climate and an affluent clientele of both locals and visitors all contribute to the allure. Here are some of the new places we enjoyed most.

L’Armoise

Chef Laurent Parrinello cooked at La Chèvre d’Or in Eze and the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc before setting up shop with this small and charming bistro in the Old Town of Antibes. The Mediterranean cuisine that emerges from his open kitchen has made it a local favorite. Expect dishes such as arugula risotto, and half-salted cod steak with grilled baby onions and chorizo. And don’t miss the local goat cheese.

L’Armoise 2 rue de la Torraque, Antibes. 
Tel. (33) 4-92-94-96-13.

La Table 2 Julien

Just a few miles outside of Uzès, chef Julien Lavandet and his partner Jennifer Henriksen have created a delightful and deservedly popular restaurant with excellent market-driven Provençal cooking. The menu changes regularly, but dishes such as herb-garnished red tuna and shrimp tartare, and yellow pollock with Swiss chard, artichokes and spinach show off his style. Several large terraces provide venues for fine-weather dining.

La Table 2 Julien 12 route d’ Uzès, Montaren-et-Saint-Médiers. Tel. (33) 4-66-03-75-38.

Jan

South African-born chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen’s casually elegant new restaurant has become a hit in Nice because of his precise and original cooking. The menu follows the seasons, but dishes such as grilled scallops with cauliflower velouté, and a beignet of smoked haddock and guinea hen with raisin-garnished pumpkin purée and pancetta panna cotta are representative. The service is excellent.

Jan 12 rue Lascaris, Nice. Tel. (33) 4-97-19-32-23.

Le 46

This friendly and casual bar à vin near the Palace of the Popes in Avignon is an excellent address for lunch or a light dinner. Owners Nicolas Martin and Véronique Bonnemer know their wines and serve a good selection by the glass. I especially recommend their take on shrimp tempura, and the lamb chops with pea purée.

Le 46 46 rue de la Balance, Avignon. Tel.
(33) 4-90-85-24-83.