Villecroze is a different sort of village. And whether by chance or not: so is Serge Aza-Vallina. Not a village of course. In the style of wise old Africans who watch over you, this warm man is slightly off track on the way to Aups. This quietened-down globe trotter who remains an adventurer at heart, has been stuck to his "rocher" (rock) for a while now. And who are we to complain as we greeds are very taken by his sane simplicity! If I say "simplicity" it is only to express the subtle rusticity of his spread. Anything snobby or soppy has been shut away. Here you are looked in the eye, not in the headlamps of what type of car you came in. The cuisine conforms to local spirit: simple quality but well applied cooking. Scrambled truffles from the "Haut-Var" (the north of the Var), grilled mussel duo, boar stew, XXL size entrecote... But also Périgord salad with smoked duck breast and homemade foie gras, or crystallised duck with white beans: the boss is originally from the South-West! So! The carte's inventory being done, let's make room for elderly emotion.

Despite the fact that Mauricette isn't here. I have Friday's famous "aļoli"! To be taken away to a desert island for all of the Fridays that you have left! It is generous and conventional Robinson! Cauliflower, carrot, beetroot, potato, green beans, shellfish, snails, egg, real cod with skin, and an olive oil aļoli with just the right amount of garlic. A great moment under the first rays of a shy April sun that tickles my bald spot. Poetic eh? And very good! 14,5/20! I have to say that Serge Aza-Vallina is a "good food" fundamentalist. He uses remarkable products from dairyman Robert Bedot, whose reputation has already been made. As we are wary of reputations we prefer to try: yoghurt, Conté and Saint-Nectaire cheeses. They are remarkable but I'm not sure that there will be any when you get here. There will be others. Both days and cheeses. "Le Rocher" is open all year round and is surrounded by space for children and mothers-in-law to run around after the meal. If they've been good. And this boss is really someone!