This beautiful restaurant is elegant, civilized and right next door to the Pope's Palace so Pope Clement V, no doubt, would pop over with a few buds to be treated like he was, well...the Pope. I know I was. The decor is all hushed tones just like the other diners conversation. Everyone is catered to, too in an atmosphere of the Old World injected with 50 cc's of modernity. So, settle back with your flute of Roderer Champagne Brut Premier Kir Royale and let the kitchen have it's way with you. The Staff: All subtle attention to duty and detail. Our first server had only a little timid English, so the manager tapped his left hand and went to the Bull Pen. Out trotted Gaeton who was energetic, patient, charming, genuinely warm, totally professional with a quick smile and dash of sly sophisticated humor. You want wine? The Wine List required an engine hoist to heave it on the table. Lift with your legs when they set it down near by. Or, better, ask the Somm to make it all happen for you. You will not get a bota bag and instructions to hold it over your head and squeeze. That was easy, wasn't it and now you're all perfectly paired up better than being on e-Harmony. The Food: You pick. There was a local Tomato Taster which was not all vegetarian and a Palace Menu which had some vegetarian courses. While you're perusing the menu like the Pope in the Pulpit, an Amuse-Bouche arrives. Mullet Pate, Goat Cheese Gougere (ask for a bucket of those), and a Fennel Mousse with Crispy Prosciutto as light as a Trump policy. Then comes the bottomless basket of Country French Bread, Chia Bread (not suitable for making a Macron Chia Pet), and some unique Tomato Bread. By now you're full...but wait there's more. Here comes an Artichoke Panna Cotta with Mullet Roe and a Rice Chip which made me flip with joy. Next there was a wholesome healthy wedge of Fois Gras as livery as your father's forearm and loveringly (as Trump might say) paired with a lovely late harvest Vigonier. A Seabass swam to the table. Served with Asparagus, it was stellar and neither Cimarusti nor Ripert could find anything negative to say about this dish, nor could they have cooked it any better. The fish came with pickled Pearl Onions which were so perfect they might have been plastic. Naw...they were real, and gone in 60 seconds along with the Baby Beet Leaves. A Duck Supreme did a fly-by. The plate had a sausage like Shaquille's ring finger and a nice slice of breast. Often duck is a fatty, greasy, chewy attempt, closer to a Gummy Bear or an Adiddas Court Shoe but in Chef Sevin's capable hands it is regal and sublime. Then the pace slowed thankfully. Like 7th inning stretch it is time to loosen your belt, and unbuckle those pantaloons that sorta fit before you left home. Get ready because the Cheese is heading your way like a runaway freight train. Livarot (aka Colonel), Cure Natais, Trappes, Vieux Chevre Carles, Salers, Munster (not the Kroger Deli stuff, either), Pouligny Saint Pioole, Marroiffes, for those of you who know your cheeses, read it and weep. Aren't these all in your fridge at home ready when you are? Finally, just when you think that the match is over and you've survived, if barely...dessert service begins. Why not have some Pineapple, Mango Coconut Foam in Mint Pearls, won't you? Or, how about some Chocolate Surprise in Mexican Vanilla with Vanilla Ice Cream, Chocolate Wafers and Vanilla Cream? Just ask for the Panna Cotta Groiseille and the kitchen will know that you know what the kitchen knows. And only the real ballers will be able to manage the Sour Raspberry Marshmallows, Mini-Chocolate Hazelnut Cups, and Lemon Macronettes. Check please and stretcher bearers...stat. read more

See all

Truly kind to my family, including two kids. We had a very nice bridge lunch today. The terrace is beautiful and the service impeccable. I wouldn't call the food memorable, as it lacked any strong flavors and I struggled to find perspective beyond "clean and simple," but we really enjoyed it. My favorite in Provence- Michelin star or not!- remains in Aix- Le Bouche a Orielle. read more

See all

Excellent. Great food. Great service, awesome view. Delicious desserts, good selection of wine

Amazing food and wine experience at Christian Etienne on a September lunch. We had the menu tomato and it was such a great dinning experience!! The use of color, the freshness of ingredients and the chef's cooking techniques made the food dance on its own plate. It was a very memorable meal!! Thank you Chef Christian Etienne!! read more

See all

I cannot believe this restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star. Appalling service -- capped off by the server emptying the wine bottle into my husband's glass despite mine having no wine it and his having about a quarter of a glass. With the server still there, I reached over and poured half of my husband's glass of wine into my glass. No response from the server -- flat-liner. I wrote an email (in French no less) to the restaurant to complain about the server and didn't hear a word back from them (despite my having communicated with them in French via email to make the initial reservation). The food was fine, but unremarkable. Couldn't even tell you what we had. Avignon, itself, is a dirty town -- among my least favorites (although there are a few cool architectural sites). When we visit this area again, we'll stay in a smaller town. We stayed at a place in the heart of Avignon (behind the Palais du Papes) called La Mirande -- it is a former cardinal's residence and while it's been refurbished at some point, we found it to be a bit run down and musty. If you want to see the Palais du Papes and other religious sites, I'd suggest seeing Avignon as a day trip and skipping dinner at Christian Etienne. read more

And unexpected surprise in the heart of Avion on Maison Christian Etienne restaurant what is one of the highlights of our trip. The tomato starter with chicken was one of the best salad and lunches I've had. The Hake with saffron mousse was tremendous. read more

Restaurant Christian Etienne - French Near Me - Avignon, 84

Great experience. Single Michelin star, but feels like they are trying hard to improve on that. Our sommelier was great and although there is no wine pairing on the menu, put together a very nice one for us. The food was fresh and the flavors were very tasty and interesting. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Overall a great job and the chef coming out to say goodbye was a nice touch. Strongly recommend. read more

Service is attentive and über polite. Food is lovely. Dessert superb. Wine flowing and the view, adjacent to the Palais des Papes is both gothic and beautiful. One complaint I see here here shows a relentless pattern and fuss over minutiae. Boo.. If you are happy before you arrive you won't waste time about why the last sip of wine goes in another glass. Really? Order another glass . read more

Restaurant Christian Etienne - Wonderful Michelin experience with Gothic views of the Palais des Papes. More tastings than you can fathom. All clever - French Near Me - Avignon, 84

See all

Ooh La La!! A culinary treat from start to finish. Located next to Palais des Papes which is magnificent itself, this 11th century building where Restaurant Christian Etienne resides in beautiful Avignon is gorgeous with its Gothic design and artistic decor. We felt like we were going to see members from the royal family having their nightly meal here! Definitely a 'Royal' establishment! So French!! So France! Expensive but expected when you have one of the most memorable meals in your life! The elegant and pristine staff greeted us and delighted us through this amazing experience. All of the staff were extremely friendly and informative despite the language difference. This was definitely what a Michelin quality restaurant was all about! Superb service, delicious and artistically presented courses, extensive wine list, great ambience and what a setting! Thank you Chef for delighting our palettes with your expertise! Truly a special occasion and we will treasure this memory forever! read more

See all

Unless you are rich, this is to be regarded as a very special treat - mortgage required. The Michelin starred restaurant is next to the Palais des Papes, with a cool awning-covered 1st floor terrace, bedecked with potted herbs. We had lunch (evenings were fully booked). There is a famous 'Tomato Menu' in the summer, at 70 euros, so we had that. Delicious amuse bouche, followed by seven impeccable courses, each small and light, but tasty and perfectly executed and presented. All sorts of tomatoes were used - beef, yellow, zebra, etc, but it wasn't entirely vegetarian. There was tomato cappucino to start, a fillet of plaice with tuna broth, cannelloni made with aubergine (not pasta) filled with lamb, incredible goat cheese mousse with green tomato chutney, and so on. Even the pudding was tomato - an amazing confection of sun dried tomato grissini with basil and tomato sorbet, and mustard! Midway through, the great man came out to tour the tables for his accolades. I succumbed to the easy way out on wine, and had a glass selected by the sommelier with each course, including a superb rose with pudding. Service was impeccable without being unduly stuffy, overseen by a maitre d' who earns his money. This was a meal to remember all your life, as was the bill - a hair curling 180 euros. Start saving...or at least go for the bargain 31 euro lunch menu. read more

See all

Outstanding meal and service. Well prepared food that was elegantly served. Great amuse boches. Outstanding veal, perfect cheese selection and memorable desserts. Enjoyed it much. Food like this will never be inexpensive but this is good value for a special meal. Will happily go back if we are in Avignon. read more

The worse service I have ever received in a Michelin star rated restaurant. Both of us were very sick after we came home from the food and we called and emailed and they did not offer to refund us OR do anything to correct the experience. We gave them several opportunities to correct the situation and they did absolutely NOTHING. Very disappointed in the customer care. Disappointed in the service. When I spend 400-500 Euro on a meal and get very sick I should be refunded or SOMETHING. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. They are not about LONG TERM Customers. Short term gains get you poor ratings. read more

I see that there are bipolar reviews on this facility and I have to say that our experience falls into the lesser category. Having arrived on time for a reservation we were greeted by.... No one. After being seated no one came over until after 10 minutes we asked for some water. I kid you not but upon asking the sommelier for a recommendation he assured me the restaurant had red, white and rose. I speak some French so language barrier does not explain it. The food was ok. Well presented at 30 minute intervals between courses, but not amazing. Water glasses were intermittently filled. Empty plates sat on the table for 20 minutes. The woman taking the plates got aggravated if she had to wait too long for you to shift out of her way. As our last course was served 3 hours and 45 minutes after we walked in, I wondered why I hadn't left way earlier. Perhaps my attention span is not that of classier folk who frequent such places but a hair short of 4 hours is a little long for me. Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere. read more