Arriving around dinner time at the Rue de la Saraillerie in Avignon is like stepping into the perfect French dream. I mean, look at the pictures above and you will see what I mean. This is the exact street where you find the utterly charming restaurant C’est la Vie (to make it even more French). The tables on the cobblestoned street seem to wait for you. Inside, a smiling Salim leads you to your seat while his wife, Ilva, stirs the food in the pots and pans.
C’est la Vie
I was on a girls’ night out in Avignon, and one of them had gone to C’est la Vie before and hadn’t stopped raving about it. As we all like good food and trust my friend’s opinion, she made the reservation. This is highly recommended, as places are limited and Ilva and Salim are the only staff. They both have extensive hospitality experience, but they felt the urge to start something new. Something from themselves and something small to find pleasure in their work again and pamper their guests with great food. So it was done, and C’est la Vie opened its doors in spring 2024. With great success! And despite the fully booked tables, the hardworking couple takes the time to actually see you for a chat and a quip.
Effortless rustic style
Although the exterior setting looked very tempting, the girls and I opted for a table inside given the rather chilly temperature on this late summer evening. Like outside, the tables were set in an effortless rustic style with blue and white checked tablecloths. Natural jugs with simple white flowers completed the provençal look. The menu showed some French classics combined with Middle Eastern flavours. About five starters, all vegetarian, ranged from 6 to 8.50 euros, or you could order a two to three person platter to share. The choice of main dishes was huge. It included shakshouka, beef, fish, burgers, and pita bread or salad with many additions (14.50 to 23 euros). Dessert only had three options, all for 7.50 euros, but good ones, so it was still hard to make a choice.
Irresistible
We wondered how Ilva managed to prepare such scrumptious food from the equally small kitchen. And tasty it was, from the shared starters (hummus, halloumi cheese and baked brie with honey and za’atar) to the main courses (a serious burger, a mezze bowl with falafel, tabouleh, glazed beetroot and more, and a freshly cut beef tartare). Next, an irresistible speculoos tiramisu and a generous profiterole complete with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sauce saturated our sweet teeth. A final nightcap made our table the last one to leave. Although this happens most of the time when out with the girls, this was a night for the books.
