Saint-Chinian is one of those typical Southern French villages where locals and visitors meet around the market square. Twice a week- on Thursdays and Sundays- it is a bustling mix of people. But you can also eat well in this market village. For over 20 years, Café de la Paix on the Grand Rue has served tasteful dishes using fresh and local ingredients. First run by Jeannot and Marie, now for the last eight years, their son David and his wife Eve have taken over the chef’s hat.
Secret garden
Staying in our holiday home in the hamlet of Le Priou, I was on a quest to discover new restaurants to propose to our guests-to-be. If you follow my blog, you know my bar is high and I wouldn’t suggest just anything. Until now, I hadn’t visited the renowned Café de la Paix in nearby Saint-Chinian. Friends had suggested going there and booking a table in the garden numerous times. And I really don’t understand why I haven’t been before, as this restaurant is a gem! Entering the place unfolded a contemporary in style dining room including a wine cave. Throwing some sneaky glances at the welcoming interior- I’d love to sit there next winter!- we were directed to the shaded courtyard in the back. And I completely understood why my friends suggested I go here, as it felt like a secret garden with its warm terracotta colours and romantic lights.
Good value
The whole family was present, including Oldest who arrived later from his summer job. Chéri, the twins, and I had already ordered the aperitif of local beer and lemonade. By the time Oldest joined us, we had made up our minds on the set menu (37 euros for three courses, 42 euros including cheese). It seemed good value, but you can also order from the menu which has more choices. Looking at the menu, it mentioned all kinds of labels and recommendations, so we were in good hands. The quality showed as of the starter. Chéri and the kids all went for the beef tataki and dashi broth. Of course, I had to order something different, which was an Andalusian gazpacho with burrata.
Little nosh
Café de la Paix knows its classics- burger for the kids, homemade, of course- but also offers some surprising options. Like the beef steak with a gorgeous sauce, seasonal vegetables, and a potato mille-feuille (Chéri) and fish of the day served on black rice paëlla-style (me). To finish our meal, all three dessert suggestions were tried. There was an iced ‘parfait’ with chocolate, pecan nuts, and caramel, a madeleine with raspberry and pistachio, and an apricot pie with a thyme and lemon-flavoured scoop of ice cream. Everybody had a little nosh from each other’s dessert, and we all concluded that Café de la Paix is worth mentioning in our visitor’s guide for our holiday home and on the blog. I’m afraid I’ve passed my high standards on to the kids…
