Fodor's Expert Review L'Esprit de la Violette

Steps from the Cathédrale St-Sauveur, Michelin-starred L’Esprit de la Violette lets you watch Chef Marc de Passorio at work from a table d’hôte right in front of the kitchen. If you prefer, book the private dining lounge adorned with 400 bottles of wine. Despite the proximity to the Mediterranean, De Passorio turns inland for inspiration: vegetables come from the north of Aix or Châteaurenard (where his producer cultivates 80 different types of tomatoes), lamb from the Hautes-Alpes, and cheese from a small producer in Gap. From a subdued kitchen he creates tangy, colorful yet simple dishes like smoked beef tenderloin with thyme, parsnips, and sweet onions. The weekday lunch set menu at €39 is a good value, as is the three-course dinner menu for €49. More adventurous €79 and €128 set menus are for the true foodies at heart, to be appreciated with a selection from the very extensive wine list.