In between our back to back dinners at AOC, The Astronomer, Mom, and I lunched at Ginette et Marcel, a petit restaurant specializing in tartines (open-faced sandwiches). While there was plenty of seating available inside the restaurant, most everyone who dined here this afternoon chose a table al fresco. Another day in Avignon, another lovely meal set in a picturesque courtyard. Life sure is beautiful in Provence.

We chose a table inside because the space was just so lovely. From the shelves lined with dried goods to the sausages hung to dry, the vibe and aesthetics here were effortlessly stylish. As far as I am concerned, this is the most adorable restaurant in all of France.

The tartines du jour were scrawled on a chalkboard.

The tartines were prepared in a small kitchen staffed by two lovely ladies. The entire room smelled of melted cheese courtesy of the double decker oven working overtime.

The Astronomer’s chèvre miel tartine (goat cheese and honey) came sprinkled with dried thyme. It was a simple sandwich, but just what he was in the mood for.

Mom chose the tapenade & anchois (olive spread and anchovy filets). The two principle ingredients offered a double punch of umami savoriness.

My champignons a la crème & chèvre was piled high with sliced buttons and topped with salty cheese.

Mom and I shared a side salad dressed in honey mustard and topped with croutons. The dressing was so very potent that the mustard-averse Astronomer had to order his own. I almost never remark on the greens in a salad, but it must be stated that this lettuce was incredibly fresh, tender, and even a little sweet. There wasn’t a trace of bitterness in the entire bowl.

The Astronomer enjoyed his raspberry vinaigrette dressed salad with toasted sesame seeds much better.

The highlight of our meal at Ginette et Marcel came at the very end: a slice of raspberry tart for dessert. Of all the sweets I sampled across France, this was my absolute favorite. Simple puff pastry served as the base for the tart. Next, came a slathering of pitch perfect pastry cream. And finally, a heap of ripe raspberries coated in a tart glaze. It was phenomenal.

—

Ginette et Marcel
25 Place des Corps Saints
84000 Avignon, France
Phone: 04 90 85 58 70

One year ago: Langer’s Delicatessen Restaurant – Los Angeles (Westlake)
Two years ago: Dongbu Live Fish – Rowland Heights
Three years ago: Cien Años – Tijuana
Four years ago: Eating in Xi’an II
Five years ago: Bánh Chưng & Bánh Giò