This review is courtesy of Languedoc-Dining.com
Cost for two: 100 €. April 2004 + previous visits. Web: www.ranquet.com
A highly positive review by Jonathan Meades when he wrote for the London Times brought us to this isolated hotel where the garrigue meets the Cevennes and it didn't disappoint. Their Web site is informative about their fine chef Anne Majourel as well as the pleasant hotel that seems to be comfortable yet relaxingly informal. Simple, skilful cooking using regional ingredients. I'm not sure why the Ranquet isn't better known.
As you drive through the wooded scrubland south east of Tornac you soon come across Le Ranquet that proudly announces itself as a 4* hotel, although with all the bedrooms sited in the grounds it actually feels more like a restaurant. A colourful shaded conservatory extends the dining room away from the stone Mas and extensive bric-brac creates a pleasant informal atmosphere. This is just as well as the staff stay in the background.
Sliced artichokes, cubed tomato and tiny grilled sardines with a balsamic dressing and olive oil was excellent. Lapin fermier with white courgette and a sage sauce thickened with the liver was simple, skilfully cooked and succulent. A spring roll of pelardon cheese mixed with sweated vegetables and a green salad was an enjoyable change to the cheese board. A Madeleine with a plum sauce for dipping and yoghurt ice cream was highly enjoyable and not too sweet.
A very pleasant lunch. Our fellow diners had chosen the 40 € "les yeux ferme" (surprise menu) and seemed to be enjoying the foie gras and lamb creations. The wine list is very reasonably priced and a white Pic St. Loup went down well. Disappointingly only one wine from the neighbouring Baruel estate was listed. Coffee, petits fours and a walk round the splendid herb garden in the grounds completed a very pleasant lunch. Being a hotel there is a small boutique shop (mainly stoked with food items) that at least was very unstuffy.
We returned for Sunday lunch on a cloudless June day and sampled the les yeux ferme surprise menu. Being busier (but far from full) made for a better atmosphere. Another good recommendation from Jonathan Meades. Cusinière Anne Majoural also runs what seem like interesting cookery weeks of weekends.
See www.ranquet.com for details.

A superb restaurant in a really lovely (though slightly touristy) village. Run by a young couple, it avoids much of the fustiness of many nice French restaurants. Beautiful Provençal decor mixes with inventive and delicious dishes. The courtyard is especially nice to eat in. The staff are very friendly. Book - because it gets very full with locals who know how lovely it is...