Le Tourne au Verre, Cairanne
A real gem in the wine village of Cairanne! What used to be one of those sleepy and worn places serving mainly steak and frites was transformed into a country style wine bar and restaurant by new owners in 2007. Alexandre Gilbert, a former sommelier from the 3 Michelin star restaurant Regis Marcon in the Haut Loire, and his wife Sabrina run a veritable "coup de coeur" in this well known Southern Côtes du Rhône wine village.
As residents of Cairanne, we have all felt for a long time that our excellent wines deserve an excellent restaurant. The concept chosen by Alexandre and Sabrina preserves the informal village bistro character. The no-choice lunch menu (appetizer, main course and dessert) at Euro 13.50 during weekdays is unbeatable. Dinner - also of the one menu variety (but a vegetarian dish is always available) - runs at around Euro 23 (amuse-bouche, appetizer, main course and desert). The fare is light and healthy: salads and vegetables prepared with that special touch, fish, chicken, rabbit and the occasional meat dish. Desserts are simple but elegantly prepared.
How do they manage to keep prices low? Sabrina told us that they prepare about 40-45 no-choice menus for dinner. That keeps prices low. One can only hope that this concept spreads around a bit more in the Provence. The menu is written on a blackboard as are the choice of wines by the glass (Euro 1.80 - 7). A well chosen and ever changing selection of Côtes du Rhône as well as a few from other French regions. You can order a bottle of course and take a couple home if you like - they sell wine retail. Take a look at the wine list and you see the "take away" and the "drink here" prices side by side. Honest approach, n'est-ce pas?
The Tourne au Verre is very popular. It has become a real meeting place in the village. The other day, when we had lunch there, Laurent Brusset, one of the largest wine growers in Cairanne, was sitting at the table next to us. The place was brimming with people, locals as well as visitors. French, English, Dutch and Schwizerdütsch - truly international. But the ambiance remains casual, village bistro like and Sabrina's informal style and cheerful personality will keep it this way. During the warmer season lunch and dinner is served outside under - you guessed it - plane trees.
Special theme dinners are offered throughout the year. On the 1st Thursday of every month there is a women only table with blind wine tasting, where locals and expats meet. Haven't seen this too often in the Provence. But then again Cairanne is a special place.
One last piece of advice: make a reservation!
Le Tourne au Verre
Bar à Vins -, Restaurant
Route de Sainte-Cécile
84290 Cairanne
Tel: +33 (0)4 90 30 72 18
Website: http://www.letourneauverre.com/
E-mail: letourneauverre@wanadoo.fr
