Bistrot Cayou - Vallon-Pont-d'Arc

After a late visit to the Caverne de Pont d'Arc, we were just looking for anywhere with decent food that was still open before we headed back to our apartment in Arles. Calliou Bistro was the first place we saw so we pulled in to the convenient parking lot, saw that the prices were reasonable and walked in. Immediately the chef let us know that they had run out of several of the options on the menu, but we decided to stay for dinner anyway and boy are we glad we did. The restaurant is in a stunning location, with a lovely large terrace overlooking the Ardèche river where we were able to watch the sun setting over the mountains, and the waitress was very friendly and knowledgable about the food and wine, giving us good recommendations and making sure all of the tables got attended in turn even though they obviously had more business than they were expecting on a Monday. All of this simply set the stage for the food, which was simply delicious. A green salad with good, fresh ingredients including the sweetest red onion I've ever eaten and warm local goat cheese was followed by our main courses which were even better - my steak tartare was hand chopped and came with all the "fixings" on the side so I could mix it to my liking, and the chicken breast in Louisiana crayfish sauce and pork stew topped with puff pastry that my parents ordered were top notch. The local wine recommended by our waitress and desserts were the perfect accompaniment to the meal, and we enjoyed chatting to the chef about the region and his time living in the USA. Highly recommended to anyone wanting to try the local delicacies or just enjoy a great meal in a fantastic location.

We stayed on the local site that used to be a municipal site and decided to give this place a visit after seeing the people sitting out on the terrace over the River Ardeche.The food was a delight, full of flavours, great portions and served by some happy smiling staff.We liked it so much we went back and again was served with fantastic food, this time we tried the set menu which was a bargain, I was expecting smaller portions or not so good food i'm pleased to report that the meal was just to the same high standard of our first visit, the cold Jupilar beer was a delight to drink while watching the sun go down.I hope they have a great season and I hope you can visit, great staff, great food and fantastic atmosphere.

We enjoyed yet another fantastic night at the Bistrot Cayou.This is the second visit on this years vacation, we sat on the Terrace watching the sun go down with a glass of chilled champagne.The food was excellent, tasty and filling...We had a beatiful bottle of red to go with the dinner.What a great way to celebrate our wedding anniversary the staff as usual were attentive but without overly so..the owner stopped by to congradulate us and a chat.The food is cooked and served with such passion that should have them #1 in the area.Please book a table, enjoy the views and savour the delights of well skilled chefs..

In a former life, I was a food reviewer and a travel writer. Now, retired, I'm a traveler and a serious eater but the view of the Ardeche River is stunning at Bistrot Cayou. The food will make you forget about anything other than what's on your plate. From the chicken with crayfish to the pork stew in puff pastry, from the beef tartare to the warm-goat-cheese salad, we were swimmingly charmed. Who needs a river? Try to get the owner, who used to cook in Washington, D.C., to come by your table and let you know what's the specialite du jour.

I returned at the end of the season with my son for our motor biking holiday, the service was fantastic, the food fantastic and the Jupilar beer just as refreshing and well kept.We both picked the fixed menu and enjoyed a great dining experience again, its so good to see the staff paying just as much attention at the end of the season as the start of the season.My son was delighted and actually said "Dad, you do find the best restaurants" that is the best compliment I could pass on to the Chef and staff of my favorite restaurant in this region. They also use fresh local produce and are always looking to promote local suppliers...Please visit, enjoy the food and the atmosphere and tell them Dave sent you ;-)Thank you Bistrot Cayou see you next year....