Hôtel d’Alibert

We did something highly unusual and went out to eat. We figured we should try someplace new, at least new to us. Many of our friends have raved about the Hôtel d’Alibert in Caunes-Minervois, so we headed there.

Actually, we were on our way to a different spot. For a small village, Caunes has several good restaurants. But there was a concert and it didn’t seem to be one we would appreciate. So we hoofed it up the hill to the hotel.

The hotel is across the square from the mairie, or town hall, in a beautiful Renaissance home. The hotel has only eight rooms (with garage! do Street View or Google Earth of Caunes and you will see why this is important).

I spy the local Caunes marble–the counter on the left in the foreground.

On a balmy June evening, dining was in the courtyard. Classical music segued into Carlos Jobim and Stan Getz. Very, very pleasant. Much better than the concert.

The restaurant offers a fixed-price menu for €29, comprising a starter, main course and dessert.

For starters, my husband had foie gras; I had asparagus with vinaigrette. Then he chose the pintade (kind of chicken), cooked with olives, and served with a large dish of potatoes, creamed spinach, and zucchini in tomato sauce. I had mushroom lasagne, served with a green salad.

Novice blogger–I ate first and photographed after. It was GOOD.

He foolishly skipped dessert and had cheese. I had the dark chocolate cake, which was more like chocolate mousse on a layer of soft fudge (bad blogger: I didn’t take a picture but snarfed the whole thing down immediately).

Everything was very good. And the ambience was just right. The owner, Frédéric Guiraud, bantered easily in English with the out-of-towners.

Two thumbs up!