Sunset dinner at Le Mesculan in Seguret
Sometmes, it's just like a fairytale. Sounds trite, way over used and even a little silly - but there you have it. I made a reservation for dinner at the restuarant that I stumbled upon yesterday, while making my way to the "Musique dans les Vignes" concert, and tonight I ate at this perfect little jewel of a find that looked like it was right out of the pages a medieval fairtale. Le Mesculan, nestled in the hilltop town of Seguret, has the most glorious setting for enjoying your Provencal repas. You have the choice of outdoor eating on the centuries old stone and vine covered patio, with the vineyards and the chateau laid out before you below like an artfully aranged picnic meal. Or the small and intimate private room, with only two tables, just located off the entrance to the restaurant. I chose to eat on the patio and surround myself with the warm balmy evening air.
There was a very good selection of Entrees (the French word for starter courses, not like the American use meaning the main course), Plats (main courses) and desserts. The wine menu was composed almost entirely of selections from the local chateau so that you could really get a feel for the local terroir and how it affects the bouquet and taste of the wine. The prices were reasonable for a restaurant of that caliber (approximately 26-45 Euro for 3/4 courses). I wasn't hungry enough for a three course meal so I chose a single a la carte entree of Terrine de Fois Gras that was as smooth and creamy as I have had with a light, delicate flavor - which is just how I like it. I simply can't remember the origin of the wine although it was certainly acceptable. My waiter was friendly and obliging and didn't even blink an eye when I asked for my bol de glacon. I like my water really cold and I've found that the only way to make this happen in a French restaurant - whether you're in Paris or the countryside - is to, right up front when I place my initial order, ask for a bowl of ice so I don't have to keep asking the wait staff for plus glacons. I've gotten into the habit of doing this and it has assisted in the process of making the waiter my friend rather than my adversary.
I think for me, the evening meal was one of the more enjoyable exeriences of my vacation to Vaison and the surrounding villages. But truly the most memorable part of the evening wasn't the meal, or the great service, or the smooth and creamy fois gras. It was the feeling I had just sitting at the table, watching the sun go down and the sky turn to shades of magenta and purple, sipping a glass of cabernet, and thinking how lucky I was and wishing how I could simply freeze the moment in time. Hmmmmm . . . . but I already had.
Sometmes, it's just like a fairytale. Sounds trite, way over used and even a little silly - but there you have it. I made a reservation for dinner at the restuarant that I stumbled upon yesterday, while making my way to the "Musique dans les Vignes" concert, and tonight I ate at this perfect little jewel of a find that looked like it was right out of the pages a medieval fairtale. Le Mesculan, nestled in the hilltop town of Seguret, has the most glorious setting for enjoying your Provencal repas. You have the choice of outdoor eating on the centuries old stone and vine covered patio, with the vineyards and the chateau laid out before you below like an artfully aranged picnic meal. Or the small and intimate private room, with only two tables, just located off the entrance to the restaurant. I chose to eat on the patio and surround myself with the warm balmy evening air.
There was a very good selection of Entrees (the French word for starter courses, not like the American use meaning the main course), Plats (main courses) and desserts. The wine menu was composed almost entirely of selections from the local chateau so that you could really get a feel for the local terroir and how it affects the bouquet and taste of the wine. The prices were reasonable for a restaurant of that caliber (approximately 26-45 Euro for 3/4 courses). I wasn't hungry enough for a three course meal so I chose a single a la carte entree of Terrine de Fois Gras that was as smooth and creamy as I have had with a light, delicate flavor - which is just how I like it. I simply can't remember the origin of the wine although it was certainly acceptable. My waiter was friendly and obliging and didn't even blink an eye when I asked for my bol de glacon. I like my water really cold and I've found that the only way to make this happen in a French restaurant - whether you're in Paris or the countryside - is to, right up front when I place my initial order, ask for a bowl of ice so I don't have to keep asking the wait staff for plus glacons. I've gotten into the habit of doing this and it has assisted in the process of making the waiter my friend rather than my adversary.
I think for me, the evening meal was one of the more enjoyable exeriences of my vacation to Vaison and the surrounding villages. But truly the most memorable part of the evening wasn't the meal, or the great service, or the smooth and creamy fois gras. It was the feeling I had just sitting at the table, watching the sun go down and the sky turn to shades of magenta and purple, sipping a glass of cabernet, and thinking how lucky I was and wishing how I could simply freeze the moment in time. Hmmmmm . . . . but I already had.
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