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Christian Etienne: Restaurant Reviews

10 rue de Mons, Avignon, France
+33 0. 490 861 650
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Ranked #6 of 301 restaurants in Avignon
Cuisines: French
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Restaurant details
Good for: Romance, Doing business, Local cuisine, Special occasions, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Reservations, Late Night
Description: Set next to Avignon's magnificent Palace of the Popes, Restaurant Christian Etienne is a divine dining destination with sweeping views of the city and of the Rhone valley. Michelin-starred chef Christian Etienne is passionate about food, and his seasonal menu ��� themed on tomatoes in summer, truffles in winter, asparagus in spring and mushrooms in autumn ��� has been inspired by the kitchens of his mother and grandmothers. This is a sensational spot for meals with a view, and the food certainly lives up to the restaurant's stunning setting. Etienne's signature dish is the roasted lobster claws served with asparagus and a confit of fresh ginger root and sesame seeds, and the restaurant has a superb Cote du Rhone-led wine list.
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167 reviews from our community

89% Recommend
    118
    33
    11
    4
    1
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
There are newer reviews for Christian Etienne
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Seattle, Washington
Top Contributor
56 reviews 56 reviews
33 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
42 helpful votes 42 helpful votes
“The Christian Etienne Experience is Superb”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 25, 2012

From the reservation process to the final course, the experience at Christian Etienne is superb.
The website allows you to make reservations (in French or English) and all requests are promptly replied to.

The restaurant nestled against the Palais des Papes and overlooking the square in front of the palais, is beautiful, both inside and out.

We were graciously greeted and seated in the open-air terrace and then the marvelous experience began.

We both choose the Tomato Menu which is a 7-course taste treat featuring all things tomato and also proteins that pair nicely with tomato.

After several pre-course appetizers, we were served an excellent tomato aspic in a glass jar.
Next a tomato, shallot and olive oil tartar that really showcased the fresh flavors of the region.
Also included in the tasting menu were: A strikingly beautiful plate of mozzarella with crushed vine tomatoes and snails; tender lamb Provencal-style; and goat cheese paired with candied Roma tomatoes.

The lunch ended with coffee and several desserts.

Chef Etienne greeted us during our meal and we found the staff to be professional and courteous.

The experience was very, very good. If you have a chance to dine here, you should.

  • Visited September 2012
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Food
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Phoenix,AZ
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
9 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
86 helpful votes 86 helpful votes
“A True Dining Experience”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 7, 2012

This restaurant, with a prime location next door to the Palace of the Popes, provided one of our most memorable meals on a recent trip to Paris and Provence. We both opted for the Menu du Palais. Over the course of 2 1/2 unhurried hours, we were served (roughly translated)
terrine of duck liver with absinthe and espelette pepper, zucchini and marjoram; filet of John Dory with sage, spring onions and roasted pine nuts; Duck three ways with caviar and fried eggplant with a lemon emulsion; a "chariot" of cheeses; two desserts and multiple amuse bouches. Each course was delicious and beautifully presented. The chef and his staff were
warm and attentive. A truly wonderful dining experience.

  • Visited September 2012
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Food
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Top Contributor
57 reviews 57 reviews
27 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
24 helpful votes 24 helpful votes
“Spectacular”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 1, 2012

This is a totally excellent restaurant. We hit Paris (twice), the Rivira, and Provence on our recent honeymoon and we had planned to have this place as our one big splurge and it did not disappoint. It's very expensive so not for everybody but if you are willing to drop a large amount on an upscale dining experience then you will not be disappointed. Was our best meal in France. Of 8 courses most were excellent. And the cheese cart is totally off the hook,probably 16 or so cheeses. I haven't tried every restaurant in Avignon but I'm confident this is the best restaurant in that city.

  • Visited September 2012
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Food
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Vaucluse
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
16 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
“beautiful outside terrace”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 28, 2012

32Euro for lunch , good quality food, view on the Palais de Pape, a real surprise as with all the tourist in the restaurant (70% of the clients were from Asia!) you would think that the quality must be so so...it is a little 'theatre'' with the chef talking to everyone...too much trainees! one girl wanted to pull in wine every 5 minutes!

  • Visited August 2012
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Food
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Sydney, Australia
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
14 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Outstanding”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 26, 2012

We had a large group and left it up to the chef to provide a degustation banquet which
simply blew us all away. Outstanding fresh local produce prepared with love and passion!
It simply was excellent in all aspects. Thank you!

  • Visited September 2012
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Food
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