La Maison Forestiere - Les Estables

The service was friendly, not overbearing, a little bit on the slow side but we weren 't in a hurry I had the impression that the young woman serving us was a trainée. We were there for lunch during the week, the place was maybe half full. We stopped by after a hunger inducing hour long hike through the surrounding woods on some of the GRs Grandes Randonnées big hike trails . I sure got spoiled on this vacation! I lived in France for several years a long while back, and I visit every few years to see old friends and new places. I often go back to the same places, but this time it seemed that every friend had a new favorite place for me to try, so ... I did! This was one of them. So this place has been open a few years, the chef/owner used to work in Régis Marcon 's kitchen if you recognize the name, well ... nothing needs to be said. If you don 't recognise the name, this says it all : three stars in the guide Michellin for the last ?10? ?15? years. The owner here decided to chuck the whole gastronomie game and open a simple delicious food restaurant, using local ingredients and just focus on making and serving good tasting food, well presented. I went with 3 friends for lunch. We had the lunch prix fixe menu 24 € and ate : starters Assiette fraîcheur freshness plate which was a plate with dressed baby lettuce, a brick au chèvre turnover filled with goat cheese just doesn 't do it justice, as the crust is pâte feuilleté light, fluffy puff pastry . The plate also had mini melon balls, small cubes of watermelon, a couple of mini peach crescents, radish slices, and chickpea spread also house made . main course today 's fish This was a duo of fish, both carré fish cut as rectangular blocks, slightly larger than a deck of poker or bridge playing cards . One of the fish was cod, I can 't remember what the other was, except that it was a fresh water fish. The fish was prepared oven baked, with a light sauce more of a juice than a creamy sauce . special of the day : lemon and ginger poultry The poultry was juicy and delicious. Both dishes came with the same multitude of sides: mashed potatoes , except made from wild mushrooms, so whipped mushrooms ; a wheat grain bulgar cold salad not really a taboulé with sauce/dressing; a pumpkin or squash purée; a small helping of ratatouille; with fresh, sautéed vegetables carrots, green beans, tomatoes, baby potato singular , cauliflower, broccoli . dessert fruit tarte, house made ice cream Apricot torte/cake it was sort of between the two ?with almond flour in the crust?, house made apricot ice cream not sorbet , whipped cream on the side , a creamy flan/milk cream/pudding served in a baby jar , several perfectly, exquisitely ripe fruit pieces served on top of a fruit sauce like an apple sauce, but multiple fruits were used . Every plate was beautifully presented, and the food was delicious. It 's a shame that the restaurant is in the middle of pretty much nowhere, but if you are anywhere close, it is worth a detour. Try and reserve if you can, I 'm told by the friend I went with, a local that the place fills up, especially on weekends.

Traditional regional food. The main attraction is actually the location, incredibly scenic, in one of the most beautiful regions at the border between Ardeche and Auvergne.

We had dinner here on Saturday and I must say its one of the best meals I have eaten in recent years. I had the veal which was very tasty and a taste of the lamb fillet too. All meals were served with an amazing potato/mushroom puree and vegetables too. Great service but sadly we were in the clouds so unable to enjoy the views well that is a good excuse to return. I would highly recommend a visit.

Far from some high-altitude restaurants where you gather a maximum of skiers-consumers, here the atmosphere is quite different. The reception is very kind, the generous and quality plate... for a reasonable addition.

Super reception and a gargantue plate Take the time to stop and enjoy the view