L’Épicurien - Abbaye de Villeneuve

The fine dining restaurant of this charming hotel is run with panache by a chef with bags of experience, Aymeric Depogny. He has perfectly assimilated the ingredients and influences of the region and seemingly effortlessly rolls out elegant cuisine in the zeitgeist. His dishes are balanced and pared back, even minimalist, to allow each ingredient to shout its name. Examples include langoustine flanked by a gutsy bisque, a genuine explosion of umami, offset by a hint of floral kombucha that adds a refreshing tang. Two dining rooms sport a soothing, intimate vibe in perfect harmony with the sophisticated culinary score. The wine list is impressive, starting with very reasonable prices and features an attractive lineup of regional tipples.