Auberge Des Papes - Grillon

We have a "maison secondaire" in the region and, for more than 10 years, we have visited the Auberge des Papes at least once during the summer and once at Christmas. It's predictable in the best sense of the word -- from Marie's always gracious welcome, to the slightly wacky decor, to the lovely garden and swimming pool. It's difficult for most restaurants to keep to the same level of excellence but Marie and Gerard, by virtue of fresh ingredients and obvious affection for what they do, more than manage. The ingredients are fresh, the cooking skilled, the sauces interesting and flavorable if a bit heavy for our tastes, the courses very generous and the desserts particularly good....not to mention the excellent regional and reasonably priced wines. Auberge has become on of our go-to places whenever we're in the area. Long may it continue to be.

Really big lunch size portions. They add orange peels into their orange chicken, which is something I really love.

HEALTH CODE CONCERN!!__I ordered take-out from here tonight, as I have about twice per month for the past 3 years.

Big fat NOPE! It had a couple dirty tables and such but we figured it was okayIt was hot, bland and mostly celery and overly reheated fried rice.

It is clear from the beginning that the entire auberge is not regularly visited by guests. first we got an old brot served, which they notice easily with the French baguettes. the menus are eur 27 and I have a strange tasting pâté, an salat that was not fresh and a descôte that was hard. the children have a little warmed pasta! and heated chicken for 15 eur. do not visit them!