(En Français plus bas)
Whenever my guests at the B&B ask what my favorite restaurant is, the answer is always the same: Le Clos Mirande. It is, to me, the archetype of the perfect French country restaurant. My guests can also walk there through the vineyard, which, in the sunset, is probably the most romantic little adventure you can go on :0)
Nothing overly “creative” here! What I mean is that the chef does what REAL chefs always do: he cooks fantastic local produce in the simplest way possible! Sorry fans of molecular cooking BS… It is home cooking with humility and finesse.
The restaurant is located in the owners’ home. The terrace opens on the little valley below over the vineyards of Montagne Saint-Emilion. Nothing grand, but almost too romantic to bear :0)
But I think that the best asset of this little piece of heaven on earth is its owner Beatrice. Of course she is nice, lots of people are; but there is an ora about her that no one can quite define… Even if you’d just met her, you’d immediately feel like you’d known her for years. She displays such genuine care for each and every guest, she will make you feel like you are the only people in the place…
So next time you are in the Saint-Emilion or Bordeaux area, do give Le Clos Mirande a try! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Chaque fois que les clients de mes chambres d’hôtes me demandent quel est mon restaurant préféré, la réponse est toujours la même: Le Clos Mirande. Il est, pour moi, l’archétype du parfait restaurant français, tant dans le cadre que dans l’ambiance. Mes clients peuvent même s’y rendre à pied à travers les vignes, ce qui, au coucher du soleil, est sans doute la ballade la plus romantique du monde.
Rien de trop “avant garde” ici! Ce que je veux dire, c’est que le chef fait ce que seuls les vrais chefs savent faire et continuent de faire: il cuisine des produits du terroir de la meilleure qualité de la façon la plus simple possible! Désolé pour les fans de la cuisine moléculaire… Tradition, humilité et finesse dans un cadre de rêve.
Le restaurant est situé dans la demeure des propriétaires. La terrasse s’ouvre sur une petite vallée et le vignoble de Montagne Saint-Emilion. Romantique au possible…
Pour ma part, je pense que le meilleur atout de ce petit coin de paradis sur terre est sa propriétaire Beatrice. Bien sûr, elle est gentille et attentionnée, beaucoup de gens sont; mais elle possède en plus une sorte d’ora que personne ne peut tout à fait définir… Même si vous venez de la rencontrer, vous aurez l’impression de la connaître depuis l’enfance. Le charme dans tous les sens du terme. Lorsque mes clients rentrent du Clos Mirande et que je leur demande leur avis, leurs premiers commentaires, SYSTÉMATIQUEMENT, se portent sur Béatrice…
Alors, la prochaine fois que vous êtes dans la région de Saint-Emilion, essayez donc le Clos Mirande. Vous ne serez pas déçus!
MY FRENCH HEAVEN 
I fell in love with Clos Mirande on my first visit, so I just had to return two more times during my week-long stay in your neck of the vineyards. Madame Beatrice is a wonderful hostess, and what a beautiful smile she has that just seems to never leave her face.
I am taking my guests there in a few minutes. I’ll think of you 😉
Sounds like a place I would love!
I will take you there when you come visit me!! 😉
Soon… I am saving my money. I hope to get there next fall. I hope you have availability. I should know by November when I can come.
Are you kidding? Oh you made my day!!! I just cannot wait to have you here. We will plan the most amazing vacation you’ve ever had!!!! So so exciting my darling Elizabeth!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I usually am not interested in nor take any notice of ‘restaurant reviews’. But this one from you will surely get me there if I have the opportunity.
I will take you there when you come visit us! 😉
I think we may have to reserve a table for six in September…
Already done darling!! 😉
Thanks 🙂
Wow! Sounds great!
What I would not give to experience a meal here and meet new friends. Just wonderful!
I hope you come one day so I can take you there!!
That place looks like heaven. I cannot wait until we can visit!
I cannot wait for you to visit L!!!!!
Alfresco dining in such surroundings always feels romantic to me, no matter whom I’m with! Clos Mirande sounds a wonderful place.
PS: I’ve corrected the spelling of your surname on my latest JMNPIXELS.com post; sorry! I was a bit tired….forgive?! 🙂
It’s no problem! Thanks again for the mention!!! I really enjoy your blog very much!!!
I’m so glad…thank you for that! Cheers to you! 🙂
So good to hear that there are chefs preparing simple dishes very well. It gets rarer each day. Beautiful setting. We lack restaurants of that calibre in the Vendee.
🙂
Love the sound of Clos Mirande. I’d love to have a “local” like this. Your pictures are beautiful as always!!
Thanks so much Sandra! Means a lot coming from you!
A beautiful post. Truly.
Thanks! It’s easy when the subject is so attractive…
This sounds so wonderful – you almost made me buy an airplane ticket… This is sounds like a place I must visit!
What do you mean almost? You have to come! 😉
What an absolutely beautiful lady.
She is gorgeous inside and out
I already LOVE this place, too!:)
I will take you there when you come!
🙂
Sounds like my kind of place. My b-i-l and s-i-l used to live in Provence and knew a chef who would have gotten a start and his food was amazing! I so wish I could visit again. Maybe in the not too distant future, although they live close to Dijon now.
janet
I hope you come here on the way to Dijon Janet
It was a truly wonderful experience eating there last month. Exactly as you describe but even better because words are not enough. We’ve been married 38 years (yes, to each other) and it was still romantic! 🙂 My wife better not see this!
I hope she does read the post!! It will make her want to come back 😉
I love these types of restaurants. I’ve been to a few in Belgium and it’s just amazing what you can have for food.
I know right?! For me, the simpler, the better, even when it comes to fine dining…
The first one I went to was an amazing experience. There was the language barrier so I wasn’t sure of the menu. The chef came out and designed a meal with me so I would enjoy the food! I was blown away.