Jardins Secrets
Languedoc-Roussillon, France[view map]
Comments from members who've stayed at Jardins Secrets
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Take Home: Violet, Lavender and Rose scented liqueurs (a dash in gin and tonic is heaven)
Avoid the Restaurant des Artistes, Rue Etoile. Boyfriend said it was possibly worst meal he's ever had!
The hotel was lovely – a real oasis in the centre of the city. We probably did not have the best room, however – the Chambre Matinee is set away from the other rooms on the ground floor, but it backs onto the staff office which was a little noisy and intrusive. Also, €20 for a gin and tonic was a bit of an unpleasant surprise – particularly when that is the same cost as the terrific breakfast, which is a must. We ate at a restaurant called A La Table de Clair, at Place des Esclafidous (+33 (0)4 66 67 55 61). The restaurant is located about 10 minutes walk away and was outstanding. Michelin star quality food at bistro prices, and a lovely location in a secluded square. We paid €87 for dinner for two, including drinks and service, and the food was excellent. A great Mr & Mrs Smith break!
Le 9 in Nîmes is a very relaxed, simple restaurant. A lovely courtyard off a quiet side street, serving simple food all from the market. We liked a lot. The market itself is worth a trip and Jardins Secrets are very good about you taking food back during the day. Every day we would buy fruit at the market and eat it in the gardens and the staff provided us with plates and fruit knives. There are some local delicacies, such as Le Petit Nîmois, which are fun to try in the market too. On Mondays it's very difficult to find good places open to eat in. There is one local place, La Bouche du Marche, which specialises in rotisserie food. It's not the most sophisticated in the world, but choose wisely and you can find a treat on the menu. The wine list is good too. Villaret in the old town is a very good boulangerie/patisserie where they make the famous croquants. The ice-creams are also worth trying.
We ate at a restaurant with the fantastic name of 'Darling', just one minute away from one of the other restaurants, Le 9 listed in the guide. Fabulous. It has a Michelin Bib Gourmand mention already, despite being only a new arrival, and in my view completely eclipsed Lisista, the restaurant opposite the Arena which has a Michelin star. Small and intimate, an excellent Provençal menu and innovative amuse bouches that kept on coming to surprise us.
