Luberon - Wedding Reception Recommendation

[christy_yyc]

Can anyone recommend a restaurant in the Luberon for a wedding reception next summer? We are expecting 35-40 people and would prefer an outdoor event. We are unable to get over there before the wedding and as such would really appreciate any ideas or advice anyone has. We are looking for something with great food, and a nice, casual atmosphere. At the moment, we are considering Mas Tourteron in Gordes. The garden looks beautiful, but the food and service reviews are all over the map which makes us a little nervous.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Barbaluc]

For that number of people, try le Jardin du Quai in L'isle sur la Sorgue. The garden is beautiful and a good size for your numbers. The price will be much better than Mas Tourteron( although I think that is also a good choice). They could also accommodate you inside in case of bad weather, I think. Casual in just the right way. For me the La Castelas location is too casual, especially if people are coming from Calgary. You can get that at home! I have several pictures of the restaurant and garden at various times of year as it has been one of our favourites since it opened.

[Parigi]

"You can get that at home! I "

Good one !

[Kurtis]

How about these? We passed by them en routes, and noted them for future discoveries. All are well situated in regards to access point.

Le Mas du Loriot: between Joucas and Murs
Le Mas des Herbes: in Joucas
Auberge de Carcarille: between Gordes and La Ferme de la Huppe

It must be a daunting task to plan this from afar without having visited this region; impressions from the websites can be misleading, and the imagination from them far from reality. Following the recs of above hounds, we really liked le Castelas and la Ferme de la Huppe and both should be a great choice for such event; le Castelas need more logistical consideration as it is less accessible but comes with the prize of unmatched natural beauty.

How would Auberge du Presbytere in Saignon work? Will there be too much foot traffic during the summer to afford casual and relaxed atmosphere where local folks can drop in for congratulatory toasts and the grumpy old man with the 5 euro dog photo-op up the street still making no money? If this is only ideal in the movies, then perhaps a meal a day or two after or before the reception at Le Castelas would be great too.

[mangeur]

Good to see you, Kurtis.

Also in this area is Mas de Gres, just south of Isle sur la Sorgue. http://www.masdesgres.com/en/the-hote...

The Corvaras are excellent hosts and I would trust them with the catering and arrangements without hesitation. I am sure that they would also work with whatever reasonable budget you required.

[boredough]

First note that everything is pretty casual in Provence - I can't remember the last time I saw a tie on a man, no less in a shop. That said, le Castelas is a great choice and a wonderful experience - at the "very casual" end of the spectrum, with food served family style. I would also suggest la Ferme de la Huppe in Gordes - http://www.lafermedelahuppe.com/ - for a regular sit-down meal at a charming farmhouse. (It's also been recently reviewed by Kurtis.) Their terrace has an overhang & might offer some sort of protection against winds, should the Mistral decide to visit that day. Also the Ferme has 10 rooms for you or your guests, in case that is a consideration.
And although it may not be what you are looking for, I feel the need to also suggest Domaine de la Coquillade http://www.coquillade.fr/uk/index.php - just in case the site's photos can tempt you to at least check it out. The more casual restaurant - le Bistrot - "moves" to the "Jardin des Vignes" - overlooking their own vineyard - when the weather permits. Even if it's too windy, you could still have cocktails on a terrace just next to the vineyard. It's a stunning setting in the summer.

[degustazione]

I'm bumping this post to see if anyone has any additional/updated suggestions. Including perhaps near Menerbes or St. Remy de Provence. Thanks in advance.

[boredough]

It would be helpful to know what aspects of our (Parigi's & my) recommendations did not suit your idea for a wedding reception, especially since bookings will be harder to obtain now that a few more months have transpired. Too rustic? Too expensive? Too remote? In Ménerbes there's la Bastide de Marie (http://en.labastidedemarie.com/) , and although the setting is a Provençal dream, I hesitate to recommend it without a recent review of the food. (I have not dined there in 3 years.) I mention it only in case the name has come up in your research. As for St Rémy, the town itself is great, but possibly a nightmare for parking for your guests. You might look into la Riboto de Taven (http://www.riboto-de-taven.fr/anglais...) just south in Les Baux. It overlooks (well, underlooks) the ancient perched village, and has several rooms, 1 or 2 of which are "troglodyte" (very cool). In fact, all the recommendations made so far have rooms (except for Val Joanis as far as I know) and adequate parking facilities.

[mangeur]

Also Reine Sammut's La Feniere, located a km or so south of Loumarin, can accommodate such an event. http://www.reinesammut.com/auberge-la...

[boredough]

I was thinking of that too, although it's out of the requested area (this time, that is). However La Fenière is rather expensive (last time I checked) - Reine's other, less expensive restaurant La Cour de Ferme is on the same property and worth considering. It has an indoor dining room as well as a small courtyard that I think would be able to accommodate 40 diners (weather permitting).

[Parigi]

Absolutely the farm-restaurnt Le Castelas in Sivergues. You can use the search function in the top right corner of this page to find many current references and reports. The most recent and most informative is this report by Kurtis
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/781261

More upscale, with an impeccably groomed garden, and also more expensive and less casual, is the vineyard-garden Val Joanis, in Perthuis.

Both restaurants also have the habit of organizing such festive occasions.

Bear in mind that, well, weather happens.And there is the famous Mistral wind that may or may not strike. Both restaurants are used to tge caprice of the Mistral and will be prepared for an indoors plan-B. But you should be psychologically prepared too, as for all outdoors celebrations all over the world.