L'arlatan - Arles

This restaurant is part of a hotel in a very impressive 16th century building. It looks very classy. However, the night we were there, there must have been some... read more This restaurant is part of a hotel in a very impressive 16th century building. It looks very classy. However, the night we were there, there must have been some serious problems in the kitchen (or maybe it is always like that . We started with a shared plate of charcuterie which took a long time to arrive – how long does it take to arrange the cold meats on a plate? We then waited a very, very long time for our main courses. While waiting, we saw a dispute at another table involving the maître d’ and resulting in plates going back to the kitchen. We had both ordered duck à l’orange which came with Camargue rice. The rice appeared to have been baked in the oven and was so crisp and dry that it resembled a cereal bar. The ‘orange’ was not the usual sauce, but instead was four cubes of orange that appeared to have been scorched on a grill. They added nothing to the dish. It had been suggested that we should share a side of seasonal vegetables. These turned out to be big chunks of boiled potatoes (with rice! , a boiled root vegetable and a couple of dry artichokes. We had interchanges with two servers and the maître d – all were cold and brusque. We lived in France for more than 20 years and appreciate the fact that the French like to take their time with meals, but there is a big difference between leisurely and glacially slow. Perhaps we were there on a bad night, others seem to have had a better experience.

The looks of this restaurant are quite unique a total design, also of the hotel, by the Mexican artist Jorge Pardo. Mixed feelings about that great lighting, ve... read more The looks of this restaurant are quite unique a total design, also of the hotel, by the Mexican artist Jorge Pardo. Mixed feelings about that great lighting, very restless ceramic tile floors. Service was faultless. And the food: I had no idea what is Cromesquis (same both in French and English) so I ordered Cromesquies de Taureau. It turned out the be very neat plate with 6 crispy deep fried balls filled with minced bull. Splendid, it really tasted bull. My girlfriend craved melon, so Melon avec Infusion Hibiscus. This too very pretty, a ball of thin slivers of melon sitting a wine red hibiscus gele. Main course, Risoni, Gambas Seiche was sumptuous. The jewel was the desert Soufflé Abricot with Glace Amande. This was a desert I'll remember and cherish.

Restaurant: one of the chicest in Arles, the courtyard is quiet, and the setting at the bar is magnificent. The food is very good but the plates could be more g... read more Restaurant: one of the chicest in Arles, the courtyard is quiet, and the setting at the bar is magnificent. The food is very good but the plates could be more generous, that's just me.

Superb atmosphere for the chromatic patio read more Superb atmosphere for the chromatic patio

A magical, magnificent place. I've never seen anything so beautiful, and yet we're used to fine, Michelin-starred establishments and Relais Châteaux properties,... read more A magical, magnificent place. I've never seen anything so beautiful, and yet we're used to fine, Michelin-starred establishments and Relais Châteaux properties, but this… how can I describe it… it's something you experience, something you feel… this remarkably colorful place where a sense of tranquility reigns, a haven of peace, a harmony of colors… we had an excellent lunch in the superb patio. We'll be back to stay there very soon.