Bistrot Tonin'ty - Cordes-sur-Ciel

Booked for family birthday and we have been every year for the last 17 years. It was a quiet day. Two course meal with aperitifs and wine €160 for 5 people. Excellent magret de canard (pink) with a fruit coulis x 4 and one fillet of trout. Sumptuous chocolate mousse with panacotta type topping and profiteroles. Ate indoors as weather was dubious. Lovely old world feel to restaurant. Previously ate on delightful terrace last year with superb service. Only one sour note, my elderly Father in Law placed without thinking his napkin on his plate which became chocolate stained with profiterole remains. The head waiter made a play of it like it was a tragedy. He announced it would have to be thrown away and held it between thumb and forefinger like it was soiled linen at arm's length. Was this an attempt at humour? His facial expression suggested disgust. It was certainly a strange demonstration leaving my FIL a little bewildered and a sour note to finish an otherwise excellent meal. It was indiscreet I think.

Doesn't look like much from the outside, and you have to pass by the reception of the hotel with which it shares the building, but oh my!The view is spectacular and the food is to die for!We had a duck burger with girolles and I think this must be the best burger I ever had. Perfectly cooked, exploding with flavour... I didn't even touch the hand cut fries...Their tonin'ty dessert with all sorts of chocolatey goodness was just a perfect end.

We had one of the most memorable and delicious dinners of our trip in the hotel restaurant which included seared foie gras and poached pear, a duck breast croustillard, cassoulet, and a light fruit custard-style dessert that was one of the best we ever tasted. The rose wine we had was very good and almond cookies of the region were served with our coffee. The service was excellent, the staff were helpful, and the surroundings, very comfortable.

Friends have been telling me about this restaurant for some time, so after a trip to the market in Cordes this was an excellent choice for lunch. It specialises in salmon and duck and this is very evident on the menu! Prices aren't cheap but what you'd expect for cuisine of this high a standard. Infact, the menu of 2 courses for €26 is excellent value. My companion ordered a starter and main course, I ordered a main and dessert and it was assumed that we would share starters and dessert. I like that approach, even though we hadn't intended it that way. All dishes were impeccably presented, ingredients being of a high quality and fresh, and the flavours fantastic. The raspberry gratin shouldn't be missed at any cost! Service was attentive but descrete and the inner courtyard with vines growing overhead is perfect for an early autumn treat.

Our family had a fantastic late night dinner at this restaurant. As good as the food was, the presentation was one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.