As promised, here are my picks for where to stay and, particularly, where to eat in the South of France.

In Limoux:
Grand Hotel Moderne et Pigeon
Owned by Eliane and Jean Luc Desmoineaux
1 Place General Leclerc-11300 Limoux
Tel:+33 (0)4 68 31 00 25
hotelmodernepigeon@wanadoo.fr
http://www.grandhotelmodernpigeon.fr
In the heart of the town—old hotel with spiral staircase and stained glass windows. They are getting a michelin star for sure. Eaten there two times—fabulous both times. Owner/chef is hands-on here. Worth a night's stay and dinner. Try the five-meat cassoulet—to die for—not literally.

Another place in Limoux:
Tantine et Tonton
29 avenue Fabre d'Eglantine Limoux
Tel: + 33 (0)4 68 31 21 95
Tantine was new and cozy. Fabulous food. Service is spotty. Decent wine list. Try the scallop ravioli.

Near Limoux, in Malepere (10 minutes west):
Domaine Gayda
11300 Brugairolles
Tel: +33 (0)4 68 20 65 87
Fax: +33 (0)4 68 20 78 31
www.maisongayda.com and info@maisongayda.com
Beautiful setting and stunning decor. Relatively new but superb service and excellent food. Try the floating island dessert The roti veau with puree of white beans was mouthwatering. Also a working winery.

In Montpellier:
Le Grillardin Restaurant
3 Place de la Chapelle Neuve 34000 Montpellier
Tel + 33(0)4 67 66 24 33
A quaint and very well-priced restaurant in the old part of town. Our meal was fabulous—nice small upstairs eating area. Good regional wine list.

Le Jardin des Sens (Garden of the Senses)
www.jardindessens.com
** Michelin. Jacques et Laurent Pourcel run the show. There’s also a hotel attached. Wow, what a romantic setting! The restaurant is surrounded by glass windows looking out into a vast garden with waterfalls, etc. Stunning. Fabulous wine list—pricey. Try the nine-course meal and give yourself a few hours. Great Valentine’s Day place. Bring lots of euros and a good appetite. -Make reservations-probably best restaurant in the area.

La Compagnie des Comptoirs
Managed by Frédéric CHÂTEAU.
51, Avenue de Nîmes - 34000 MONTPELLIER
Tel: +33 (0)4 99 58 39 29 Fax: +33 (0)4 99 58 39 28
This bistro is located across the street from Le Jardin. It was created by Olivier Château and the Pourcel brothers. A fun place that is very lively and a bit crowded tablewise. Food is fresh and delicious and wine list is very good.

In St-Chinian area of Languedoc:
Le Petit Nice
Nice lunch place on the river. Good food, cheap. All the locals are there. Semi-family style.
In the heart of this small hill town.

Near Pic St Loup, in small town of San Mathieu:
Lenny’s
Don’t let the outside look distract you. This is a serious eating place where the wine people all go. Find the town on a map and ask anyone around.

Les Baux in Provence:
L’Oustau de Baumanière
Relais Gourmand Restaurant
3520 Val d'Enfer Les-Baux-De-Provence
Tel: +33 (0)4 90 54 33 07
www.oustaudebaumaniere.com
Hotel here—bring big appetite. Rich food.

La Cabro d’Or
13520 Les Baux de Provence
Tel: +33 (0)4 90 543 321 Fax : +33 (0)4 90 544 598
http://lacabrodor.fr/anglais/index-gb.htm
contact@lacabrodor.com
This is the bistro restaurant of L’Oustau de Baumaniere. They have fabulous food (* star Michelin) and a spa. Gorgeous setting. I will go there someday for a rest.

Nice:
Restaurant Chantecler in the vernerable Hotel Negresco.
37 Pomenade des Anglais 06007 Nice
Tel: +33 (0)4 93 16 64 00
chantecler@hotel-negresco.com
** restaurant. Only go if you are hungry and have a few extra euros to spend. Great wine list especially from the South of France. Order the chef’s menu and plan to spend several hours. You may see the owner of the hotel dining with one of her dogs at her special table near the alcove on right side of restaurant. She lives in the Negresco.

Sablet:
Les Genets
Route de Vaison 84110 Sablet
Tel: +33 (0)4 90 46 84 33
cavesgenets@wanadoo.fr
www.gite-vaucluse.com
A rustic bed and breakfast place with a nice small restaurant. In the heart of the Côtes du Rhône area just a stone's throw from Seguret and Gigondas. Our friend Cecile Chassagne has her winery under the dining room.

—Clyde Beffa Jr