Lunch "Chez Rose"

A hidden Gem - Lunch at the Calanque de Sormiou

Some people are doing their very best to do what the French call “cacher son jeu” (hide what you are really up to). When we first arrived at the small bay at the Calanque de Sormiou I cynically thought “yeah, sure” and was convinced I'd been ripped off. Because in order to have access to this Calanque on the outskirts of Marseille not only do you have to brave a hair raising ten minute drive along hairpin bends, but you also have to make a reservation at their restaurant “Lunch” or the guards won't let you pass the entrance barrier to the Calanque by car.

"Lunch" Chez Rose

Quite frankly, from the outside this restaurant looks like a hut in dire need of restoration. But once inside I very rapidly fell in love! Not only with their quirky decoration – but their food! I ate the best, fattest, freshest and juiciest king prawns I've ever had. Fresh from the grill, herb scented and with just some mashed up potatoes and carrots on the side. Simple and fantastic. As was the sole my OH had or the squid salad we shared for starters. What a hidden gem! Too bad they now call the it “Lunch” . It seems before it was called “Chez Rose” - much nicer name. Cheap it ain't, but worth every centime. And the service is lovely, too. Go there if you can.

Maritime Murals

Calanque de Sormiou

Restaurant Rant

Had an interesting experience in a restaurant the other day: There were no dishes on the menu, just “formules”. The French are big on “formules” which usually means you either get a starter and a main course or a main course and dessert for a fixed price. So when I asked what I'd get to eat the answer was “we don't work like this”.
I am still sorry I didn't follow my first impulse – get up, say “and I don't eat like this” and leave. Because it got worse. First we were asked if we were allergic to wheat, dairy, fish, meat etc. etc. What is this – a doctor's surgery? By this point I remembered a friend from New York who always used to say “I'm here to eat, not to have a conversation with you” to overly familiar waiters. Not that I'd ever dare to be that rude....

Next Madame was miffed when I wasn't in the mood for soup as a starter - “but our soups are legendary – didn't you see the Gault Millau recommendation on our door?” Yes, great, but why does that make me have to eat soup?And so on.
In all fairness, the food wasn't bad but what I really hate is when restaurants take themselves more seriously than their patrons.
What is wrong with a well thought out menu that gives a couple of choices and more importantly – lets me know in advance what I get to eat?
And don't tell me how I have to eat it! Because in this place we were told to eat the amuse bouche (a drop of kefir surrounded by five or six different herbs and salad leaves) starting on the left and working towards the right side of the plate. And I thought I'd outgrown kindergarten! Do I need to say I won't be back in a hurry?