Café Llorca - Vallauris

Next to the famous chapel decorated by Picasso, a small market place with a statue of the same, an ugly man carrying a beautiful goat. If the weather is good (i.e. almost always) you take your seat on the terrace, at lunchtime overviewing the merchands terminating their business. The famous cook Alain Llorca lets his staff spoil you with more or less simple perfect dishes. His brother, the patissier, takes care of the desserts, mostly cakes. Nothing is expensive, the menu is value for money. And if it rains, the interior is modern and tasteful too. One of my favourites in all France.

Expected better dishes. Location was interesting. Staff was polite and efficient. Dishes were satisfactory and prices were ok. Reputation did not match execution. Perhaps better on another day. Perhaps management needs to review marketing. Wine list was average, tasty dishes, good location and nice staff.

The restarurant is very good and it is worth a visit. The menu changes regularly, and it offers season dishes. Highly recommended to make a reservation.

Perched on the edge of a historic square, which features a stunning, beautifully lit cathedral-like church, majestic trees and Picasso museum, six the eponymous fine dining, minimalist Llorca restaurant. which is very surprising, given that the glory days of Vallauris are well and truly behind it - it has degenerated into a giant "banlieu" council housing estate (public housing project) despite the governments efforts at regeneration, which includes a huge modern cultural centre and a pedestrianised cobbled street with a long line of boutiques featuring local artisans and artists. The restaurant is nevertheless worth the journey with exquisite food and flawless service, especially the mouth watering array of desserts. Good wine list. Be warned though, it's not a cheap night out!

Le Café Llorca is yet another bistro of a Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant in the Cote d’Azur, offering excellent food without ridiculous prices. (The mother restaurant - Restaurant Alain Llorca, named appropriately after the famous chef – is located just a few kilometres away in La Colle-sur-Loup.) As with similar bistros in the area, you certainly don’t seem to sacrifice much in terms of quality when you go to the “step-down” bistros of these establishments. I had the gastronomic lunch at Café Llorca for €32, and the quality was exceptional. Along with a couple glasses of wine and a coffee, I got out for under €50 which is amazing for a place of this quality. Outside, the bistro is located in the square of old Vallauris which is lovely outside in an otherwise busy and not-so-nice area around the old square. There is outside seating which looks nice, although the weather was not conducive to sitting outside the day I was there. The interior is nicely done with original and unique paintings and sculptures. The maître d’ the day I had lunch was Franco – he speaks perfect English and assures that the service is attentive. This will be a go-to lunch venue for me going forward when I am in the area. And based on my one visit, I suggest going with the chef’s gormound recommendation (although there is a lower priced fixed menu as well as the ability to order a la carte should you so choose). Next on the list will be the mother restaurant, the 1* Alain Llorca Restaurant! I can’t wait.