Le Bouche à Oreille
The Good tables, the Bad and the ones to avoid

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French Version
La Ciotat (13)
Les Gourman'dinent
18 rue des combattants
13600 - La Ciotat
Phone : 04.42.08.00.60
Very refined cooking

What a funny name for a restaurant! In a town where the simple word restaurant is synonym to mussels and chips (I know that this is a caricature, but take a look) I had a meal that I wasn't expecting: excellent, original without going over the top, fine without being fussy, my compliment bag is full! And on the port too! What better! And if the dishes are pretty the essential isn't lacking! Taste is there too! The weekday lunchtime menu at 19 € is ravished by the regulars. To try it is to want it. You aren't given much choice once you've dipped your little finger in... It's with a charming décor its' acidulated colours and view across the port that I begin with "parfait moelleux d'écrevisses et petits légumes du sud" and a vinaigrette with egg and basil. Oh yes? Crayfish? Parfait? Work and products that are rarely found in cooks' fridges who are trained to dish up ordinary dishes. A modern presentation, fresh, smooth and mastered. 15,5/20.

What follows is a dish for the greeds that can be considered gourmets: "filets de pigeonneau rôti, son aile et sa cuisse laquée au miel, jus à l'arabica" (roasted pigeon filets, wing and leg Peking style, Arabica gravy) served with a creamy corn puree with Parmesan cheese. It is serious and what gravy! 15,5/20. I was expecting more from my "soupe au chocolat 64%, glace à la cacahète, caramel mou au beurre salé" (chocolate soup, peanut ice-cream, salted butter soft caramel). It was nevertheless nice, but I would be damned for salted butter soft caramel; there wasn't enough to give out more than 15/20! Even so! The customers seem enchanted with the kitchens and the attendance which is feminine and full of life. The wine menu is already clever. Running a restaurant can only be team work! An excellent chef who comes from Belgium via Nyons (26); Anne Wisniewski is the mistress of the place. She allows Christophe Wernet the responsibility of creating and putting the dishes together. What a good idea! They match! Cuisine with four hands! Just to help: this used to be "la sardine de Marseille" and before that, "la Fresque". A good show, typically semi-gastronomic with no excess! And on the first floor facing the port! Perfect!

Welcome : 16/20
Attendance : 15,5/20
Quality/Price : 15/20
Setting : 16/20
Bread : 15/20
Toilettes : 16/20
Chef : Anne Wisniewski et Christophe Wernet

Weekday lunchtime menu at 19 €. Menu-carte at 38 € and 60 €. The carte changes every month. Closed patio facing the port. Groups up to 25 people. Closed out of season on Wednesdays, Saturday lunchtimes and Sunday evenings. In season: enquire. Booking recommended.