Demeure de Flore
Grand Rue - Allée des Tilleuls
81240 Lacabarède - France
Tel. 05 63 98 32 32
Website

I had a discussion with Francisco the charming owner of Demura about exactly what it is? Michelin gives it a few red turrets suggesting it is a comfortable hotel. On his website Francesco says ‘passionate about food.’ I suggested restaurant avec chambers was a better description as the hotel status belittles the splendid food that is served within this delightful petite chateau.
The house is set well back from the road with tree lined drive and plenty of grass to keep Francesco busy on mowing duty when the grass is growing. At the back of the house is a charming terrace on which I ate breakfast just outside my room everyday and in a hedged in area a swimming pool lurks. The area surrounding is steep hills with the black mountain towering over this attractive valley. Not far away are some high lakes that are picturesque summer destination: barely surprisingly then, that from early July to mid-September all eleven rooms are booked solid. However for the rest of the year this is a wonderful haven either for a night or a few days.
This website suggests food is the main attraction of this chateau in the hills. Francesco, who is from Italy, spent his youth working in some of the finest hotels in the UK: from the Ritz to the Old Course Hotel, as a waiter and often the maitre’d. However since setting up his own hotel Francesco has taken to the kitchen. As he explains as a good waiter you must understand food, and maybe all those hours spent looking at it and not being involved in putting it together has stirred up some hidden juices. I understand because I have indeed worked and indeed earned my living as a chef: primarily because I owned businesses that needed a chef. Fully trained and experienced chefs are a tricky breed and if you are not in control: which you seldom are unless you can say: I’ll do it: they will quickly control you and your business.
Francesco produces a four course fixed menu each night. There is no choice unless you express an allergy or similar to the offered food. This is not bad because you will be exposed to some wonderful new ideas: such as carrot capochino. This is smooth full flavoured hot carrot soup with pesto crafted into the top. I also had wonderful gnocci and large individual ravolli as starters. The best main course I had was described as veal but not white veal: this was more like baby beef. The fillet was cooked and seasoned to perfection and served simply on a bed of baby grilled artichokes. This course is followed by cheese: one option I had was a brie split in half horizontally with a thick cream cheese and walnut layer being spread before putting the cheese back together again. The final course is desert occasionally featuring tiramisu with a wonderful creamy.
This is all served in a elegant dining room which features art deco as well as modern art. The house wine is carefully selected and thoroughly recommended and comes from a vineyard about an hour away in lower Longuedoc.

Demeure de Flore
Grand Rue - Allée des Tilleuls
81240 Lacabarède - France
Tel. 05 63 98 32 32
Website

I had a discussion with Francisco the charming owner of Demura about exactly what it is? Michelin gives it a few red turrets suggesting it is a comfortable hotel. On his website Francesco says ‘passionate about food.’ I suggested restaurant avec chambers was a better description as the hotel status belittles the splendid food that is served within this delightful petite chateau.
The house is set well back from the road with tree lined drive and plenty of grass to keep Francesco busy on mowing duty when the grass is growing. At the back of the house is a charming terrace on which I ate breakfast just outside my room everyday and in a hedged in area a swimming pool lurks. The area surrounding is steep hills with the black mountain towering over this attractive valley. Not far away are some high lakes that are picturesque summer destination: barely surprisingly then, that from early July to mid-September all eleven rooms are booked solid. However for the rest of the year this is a wonderful haven either for a night or a few days.
This website suggests food is the main attraction of this chateau in the hills. Francesco, who is from Italy, spent his youth working in some of the finest hotels in the UK: from the Ritz to the Old Course Hotel, as a waiter and often the maitre’d. However since setting up his own hotel Francesco has taken to the kitchen. As he explains as a good waiter you must understand food, and maybe all those hours spent looking at it and not being involved in putting it together has stirred up some hidden juices. I understand because I have indeed worked and indeed earned my living as a chef: primarily because I owned businesses that needed a chef. Fully trained and experienced chefs are a tricky breed and if you are not in control: which you seldom are unless you can say: I’ll do it: they will quickly control you and your business.
Francesco produces a four course fixed menu each night. There is no choice unless you express an allergy or similar to the offered food. This is not bad because you will be exposed to some wonderful new ideas: such as carrot capochino. This is smooth full flavoured hot carrot soup with pesto crafted into the top. I also had wonderful gnocci and large individual ravolli as starters. The best main course I had was described as veal but not white veal: this was more like baby beef. The fillet was cooked and seasoned to perfection and served simply on a bed of baby grilled artichokes. This course is followed by cheese: one option I had was a brie split in half horizontally with a thick cream cheese and walnut layer being spread before putting the cheese back together again. The final course is desert occasionally featuring tiramisu with a wonderful creamy.
This is all served in a elegant dining room which features art deco as well as modern art. The house wine is carefully selected and thoroughly recommended and comes from a vineyard about an hour away in lower Longuedoc.