La Corniche - Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val

Great romantic setting for couples. Great authentic food. Brilliant view over the gorge. Drive downhill away from the corniche on the way home.

Engagingly eccentric and alluringly authentic, it epitomises la France profonde of dreams, myth and legend. Le patron appears to do everything himself, being both cook and waiter, yet has time to discuss the food and expand on his philosophy with his clientèle. The set menu encompassed four courses: soupe, entrée, plat and fromage or dessert, with three little extras before or between courses, just for the joy of the thing. The whole atmosphere is that of delight in the home-made, the delicious, the local, and the available: M. Corbeau has a real gift for la cuisine and glories generously in it.

Fourth visit in as many years and a combination of many previous comments: fantastic location, traditional feel and delicious food. HOWEVER the patron's standards left much to be desired: Charlie Chaplin meets Basil Fawlty! Obviously plastered when we arrived at 7.20pm: nearly knocked himself unconscious when he walked into the door-frame of the kitchen as he went to get us a menu. Dining room occupied by a group of 4 French, 4 British , my wife and me. He was struggling on his own to run the restaurant AND the kitchen however consumption of his own cellar's produce didn't help: cutlery dropped, retrieved and wiped on sleeve, orders taken twice, orders forgotten, bread appeared as an afterthought, water delivered to empty tables. Sounds of cooking from the kitchen interspersed with the glug of another glass being loaded and the bottle being put down. Time of departure: 10.30! I don't think we will bother again, life's too short to waste on an evening like this.

We've eaten here once or twice during our stay in the area, over the past four years as a treat to those new to the area. The patron is chef and waiter with one assistant in the kitchen. He said he grew up in the house and has converted it into this gem of a restaurant which seats only about 23 folks. Reservations are a must. Everything, at least for now, is made home-made, except as he notes, the ice creams are made by a neighbor. In warmer weather, you dine on the terrace with a sweeping, post-card perfect view of the valley and the Averyon River below. If you've got an issue with heights, stay away. In the cooler months you are inside in the dining room. The cooking is mainly derivations of French classics with 3 or 4 choices for entree and plat and about 6 choices for dessert. There is his choice of soup as a starter and an "amuse" before the soup. This summer, gaspacho was the soup in the fall it was a vegetable soup. Entrees were sweetbreads, escargots in cream, salmon tartare and fois gras and cured meats. Plats were roast lamb, pork roast, duck and a fish. It's a seasonal menu. This is for special occasions or a treat, but well worth the cost. This summer the fixed menu was €30 with wine and coffee extra.

After promising ourselves a meal here for many years we finally made it on our last night in the region. One sitting at 7.30pm overlooking the spectacular valley. Excellent food, a gazpacho soup to start, chose lamb and then great selection of deserts. Half a bottle of local red and a bill for 78€ for 2. Only concern was the length of time between courses but as all food appeared to be freshly prepared and time wasn't a concern we were able to ignore this. Friendly and amenable host.