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Tartares Club Restaurant Review

A haven for anyone who loves tartare foods

featured in Restaurant reviews Author Jo Rothenberg, Provence Editor Updated

Located just a short walking distance from the central square of Saint Remy, on Avenue Durand Maillane, is the Tartares Club. A new concept of dining with almost everything on the menu from starters to mains and even dessert options of tartare. If fresh fish, meat and succulent fruit makes your taste buds tingle then this restaurant is for you.

As lovers of steak tartare this restaurant seemed like an obvious choice for us. A relatively new restaurant, opening in Summer 2012, the local B&B we were staying at had not yet heard of the Tartares Club so with promises of a report back for local knowledge we set off at the more European time of 9pm for dinner.

On first impressions the Tartares Club seems out of place on the old Provencal street of Avenue Durand Maillane, with its large white sofas and chairs with multicoloured cushions, arty decor on the terrace out front, and the hip and chic feel on the inside. However the decor, atmosphere and staff instantly make you feel relaxed and at home in a warm and trendy setting.

After finding a parking spot just outside the restaurant we were greeted with a friendly smile and seated to a cosy and comfy table on the downstairs terrace. Drinks were our first port of call so after browsing over the cocktail menu we opted for a couple of glasses of local house rosé, which had a light dry taste and arrived with crudités accompanied by 2 fresh dips. The wine menu consisted of local Provencal wines starting from around 24€ a bottle, with house glasses at 5€. With an extensive selection of champagnes, beers and spirits there are tipples for everyone.

Browsing over the menu our mouths started to water with the list of fresh ingredients and tempting dishes. Who knew there were so many different ways to have steak tartare? From veggie options to fish to steak; from the original Tartare Francais to the more unusual Tartare Oriental (infused with a variety of herbs and spices from Asia), making a choice was proving to be difficult. In the end we ordered the Tartare de legumes a la ricotta et son jus de roquette for starter: a fresh and succulent tartare made up of aubergine, courgettes peppers and pressed tomatoes with a layer of ricotta in the centre which was truly a delight to eat. We also ordered the Tartare d'artichaut a l'estragon: an artichoke, tomato and mozzarella tartare and we were far from disappointed - the chunky slices of artichoke with the sweet tomatoes and creamy mozzarella were delicious.

Next up we ordered the tastebud-tantalizing mains, they were superb. We went for one steak tartare: Tartare Italien and one fish tartare: Duo de tartares thon et saumon. On ordering the steak tartare we were asked if we would like it completely raw, seared or completely cooked - we opted for raw, but the option is a nice touch for those of you whose stomachs don't like the sound of raw meat! When the main courses came out and we tucked in silence followed, always a sign of a scrumptious meal I think.

The duo of salmon and tuna tartare was served with jasmine rice and soy sauce making the perfect accompaniments to the fresh and juicy fish that just melted in your mouth. The Italian tartare was a delectable dish, the combination of the fresh steak sliced into perfectly sized edible chunks, the capers, pine nuts, onions, basil, parmesan, balsamic vinegar and olive oil made your mouth go wild with exciting and fresh flavours, not to forget the chunky potato chips on the side. For dessert we asked our waitress what she would recommend, and immediately she said the Nems au chocolat: chocolate spring rolls served with a salted caramel butter.... there is nothing else to say but YUM!

Tartares Club was a great place for a cosy yet chic meal with delicious, mouth-watering food and excellent service - I will definitely be heading back next time I am in Saint Remy. The only downside to the meal would have to be the quiet of the restaurant: with only a few other tables the atmosphere was a little calm, but nothing the music softly playing in the background couldn't disguise. It's also worth noting that the terrace at the front sits on the road, but with so few cars trundling along this was hardly a problem.

The Tartares Club has 2 restaurants one in Saint Remy de Provence and the other in Gordes, open every day in high season.

Location

Map of the surrounding area