Favorite restaurants in the south of France?

[sistereurope]

I am hoping that some of our gourmet members (Laidback?! ;D) will give me some recommendations for can't miss restaurants as we eat our way from Nice to Barcelona next month!!
We'll be in Nice for 3 nights (over Easter weekend), in Lourmarin for 6 nights, in St Pierre des Champs for 2 nights, then we go to Barcelona for 5 nights.
So, does anyone have any fabulous restaurants to share? My husband didn't get to go to Paris in December so he's really craving some wonderful French food.
Thanks!

[Anne]

When we visited Lourmarin this winter we went past a restaurant called "l'Antiquaire", where our friends said they like to eat while in Lourmarin . It is located downtown, but in a rather secluded street . Good unpretentious regional cuisine I remember they said . I had a look at Michelin on the web, the place is rated 2 forks .

We also walked past a posh and rather expensive restaurant on the way to the château : "Le Moulin de Lourmarin" . They had never tried it . I found some not-too-good reviews on the web about this one .

[sistereurope]

Thanks Anne! I just checked my list, and l'Antiquaire was already on there! I'll know for sure not to miss it now (especially since we are staying right in Lourmarin). I can't wait to see a "new" part of France...

[gracejoan]

Hostellerie de Crillon le Brave is a nice spot, Ferme de la Huppe near Gordes is another good spot....how about over in the St. Remy/Les Baux area? Oustau de Baumaniere, La Cabro d'Or, La Riboto de Taven(lodging guest 1st, so do call ahed)....there are so many, many in the area...Maussane, Eygalieres, Arles............Joan

[cigalechanta]

I agree with all of Grace joan's sugggestions. Yes the Moulin de Lourmarin is not as good as it once was, mostly because the chef, Loubet went to take over his fathers more expence place, the Mas de Capelone. Have a better time at the local sidewalk cafés.

[sistereurope]

Thanks for your suggestions! As always, the problem isn't a lack of places...rather, it's TOO MANY CHOICES! ;D

[Laidback]

I was disappointed after all the hype for the Moulin in Lourmarin...we much preferred the also starred, also expensive Auberge Feniere on the edge of town. An enjoyable place, especially if the weather is nice, and much less expensive is the Auberge du Loube out in the boonies near Buoux.

There is a delightful coastal village right before the Spanish border, Collioure, which you should try and visit;

the two gourmet restaurants there with spectacular views over the harbor are Neptune and La Balette and there are scores of good little quay side bistros like Les Templiers.

Warning...we got so enchanted with Collioure that we wound up staying there several days and never made it across the border to Barcelona!

[gracejoan]

Yes, stopping in Collioure may well delay getting to Barcelona!!

[sistereurope]

We ALMOST decided to stay in Collioure...I've heard so many great things about it. We do plan to spend some time there and we'll be sure to at least have lunch. My husband is an anchovy fiend!