La Crémaillère - Le Val

We had dinner there yesterday and it was the best one we had during our vacation in Provence. Everything was absulutely delicious!! The service was excellent (we can't read French so the waitress/owner translated and recommended the best dishes to order and her recomendations were...indeed very very good). The prices are very reasonable as well.

In hindsight, I am surprised by the large number of positive reviews. We stopped for lunch, based on them, and were disappointed. The staff are friendly enough, and the Magret de Canard our main course was competent enough. The bread placed on the table looked...like it came from a supermarket. We ordered fromage as part of our luncheon special, and it also looked like supermarket quality. I understand the economic pressures on restaurants (and customers) these days. Offering a 19/5 Euro luncheon special may be a challenge, and perhaps what the local market will bear. I would certainly pay considerably more than that for a satisfying meal. After all the fine food we have had in France, despite the abundance of vineyards around here, I am beginning to think we are in bit of a culinary backwater.

We had looked around for a restaurant and had found this place on TA. Although it was second of three in Le Val it had 97 reviews whereas the top spot went to a place with three reviews. We had a starters of fois gras...and scallops. Both as good as they get. Then for main we had the lamb chops. These were beautifully pink and cooked so expertly. Possibly my favourite meal in France so far. Bravo Chef!

We visited upon recommendation of friends who live in Brignoles whilst we were staying in Le Val. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and immediately greeted with a friendly reception. Both my partner and I speak a little French but the chef insisted on helping...us and explained the menu which I thought was a magnificent and welcoming touch. We ordered a very nice bottle of local Rose. The food was beautifully fresh and extremely well executed. The service offered by the family is truly brilliant and even made a fuss of our 7 month daughter. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who is staying locally in the region. We look forward to visiting again next year. We visited on a Sunday afternoon, there is a lot of roadworks in Le Val at the moment which are due to end in July but do not let this put you off visiting!

In July 2022 La Cremaillere became Le Pitchoun and oh my god what a disaster. After probably eating at La Cremaillere at least 50 times and consistantly being delighted, tonight I sampled the food at Le Pitchoun. The comparison is shockingly bad. What was for...the money, an outstanding restaurant has now descended Into one of the worst places to eat in the region. The food was in the main preprepared, lacked any flavour and was of dreadful quality. To make matters worst, prices have been increased. Does not deserve 1 rating truly dreadful!