We quickly learned that it's not about the food in Bordeaux. As you drive you see mile after mile of grape vines but almost no other farms. They don't even make cheese - they say they would rather "import" it from other regions. In France, that's a sacrilege. We quickly confirmed the truth of that statement with several uninteresting meals in local restaurants (including the beautiful 4 star (for lodging!) Relais du Marais). Our best food experiences were at a local spot called 'La Pauillac', where the mussels, fish and duck were mouthwateringly good. On Saturday night, a "typically French" place (not typical in my books Paul!) - the spa "Les Source de Caudalie" http://www.sources-caudalie.com/ on the grounds of the Chateau Smith Haut-Lafite. This was a spa with a difference ...
The following is from the front page of their website. How many spas highlight their restaurants and wine and cigar bars! Their spa specializes in "Vinotherapy" which is essentially soaking in vine and grape extracts.
Welcome to Les Sources de Caudalie !
Hotel de charme and Vinotherapie Spa
A charming four-star luxury hotel
49 luxurious rooms and suites, swimming pool, gym, 3 hole golf course, etc.
Two restaurants
Two different sorts of cuisine, two unusual atmospheres:
"La Grand'Vigne", a gourmet restaurant
"La Table du Lavoir", a country inn.
Le Bar du French Paradox
Devoted to great growth wines. You can enjoy the finest wines in the world by the glass.
La Tour des Cigares
A club where cigars can be tasted on top of a tower, with a panoramic view of the vineyard.
Vinotherapie Spa
This famous centre dispenses treatments to relax, slow down the ageing process, and lose weight.
There is nothing else quite like it in the world.
Their restaurant, on the other hand was terrific--not only from a food and drink point of view, but also the staff. Chris and I shared a "gigot d'angneau" (a whole leg of lamb). It was the best I have ever had. It was also so big neither Chris nor I could finish our portions--it meant Joe could have a substantial taste. We had a wonderful Smith-Lafite 1996 from the chateaux. It was marvelous. Joe and Sheila enjoyed incredible looking Dorade and a perfectly cooked piece of beef steak. We finished with a cheese plate and skipped dessert! That's what I call a spa!
Les Sources de Caudalie
Chemin de Smith Haut-Lafitte
33650 BORDEAUX-MARTILLAC - FRANCE
Tel : +33 (0)5 57 83 83 83 Fax : +33 (0)5 57 83 83 84
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