Thousand Oaks Restaurants:
Cafe Provencal

Simply put, Cafe Provencal is the finest French restaurant I have ever had the pleasure of visiting, here or in France.  Others love it too.  Read other reviews here.

Of all the restaurants in Thousands Oaks we have visited, of all the French restaurants we have visited, how do we begin to describe Cafe Provencal?

Our dear friends and Ambassadors of Romance, Beverly and Carl, introduced us to Cafe Provencal.  Truthfully, when we drove into the small strip shopping mall and saw a neon "OPEN" sign, we had serious doubts about the evening.  But those doubts were very rapidly set aside.

Your host and chef, Serge Bonnet, and with celebrating musician on right.

We were shown to a private corner table graced with a delicate bouquet.   The picture with Beverly and Carl shows the atmosphere of Cafe Provencal.  It is dimly lit, with candles sprinkled on each table.  Absolutely delightful paintings grace the walls.  I noticed several couples holding hands, so I knew immediately that we were in a very romantic restaurant.

Dining at Cafe Provencal -- A Very Memorable Experience

The menu was varied, and it all sounded quite tasty.  (Forgive my adjectives -- I hadn't yet tasted the true delicacies that greeted us.)  Our selections for the evening included Bouilabaisse (a Marseille fish stew with half a lobster), Filet Mignon et 3 Sauces, Poulet Provencal (free range roasted chicken breast stuffed with cheese, mushroom, spinach and Madeira sauce), and Carre d'Agneau a la Menthe (stuffed rack of lamb served with mint lamb demi glace). 

Delicious? Oh, yes.  Memorable?  So very.  Ken got so entranced with the sauce on the rack of lamb that he got some bread so it could devour more of it.  Needless to say, there wasn't a remote possibility for a doggie bag -- we joyfully ate it all.

The wines were all, of course, exquisite.  Each was chosen for how well it complimented the palate, and none overpowered the wonderful flavors of the various dishes.

If pictures could show what happened to our taste buds, I would load up 100 pictures.  But it can't.   Each meal was truly indescribably delicious.

Then, to make matters worse, I had a creme brulee for dessert.  Now, I know my creme brulees.  I love them.  But I have never, never had a creme brulee lavender -- and that is what this was.  The delicate, sensuous taste lingered far too briefly before being eaten.   The memory of it still conjures up a smile.

The Real Cafe Provencal

Many years ago I travelled through southern France as a student, and I recall with such fondness the tiny cafes that dotted the countryside and villages.  Each one had Mama (or Papa) as the chef, and each meal was prepared and served as fit for a king.

THAT is the feeling I had with Cafe Provencal.  The owner could just as easily bus your table as cook your meal, and everyone did everything humanly possible to ensure that your evening was truly perfect.

That they succeeded so splendidly was such a wonderful surprise.  In fact, we all felt so much like family that everyone in the restaurant chimed in to sing "Happy birthday" for one of the guests.

If ever a restaurant deserved to be in the Golden Triangle in Beverly Hills, this is it.  But I do hope they stay right here.  Somehow it just seems perfect.  (Ahem, Monsieur, should you wish to have a second location, please come to Newport Beach, preferably right next door to me!)

The final delight was the bill.  I still cannot believe that such exquisite cuisine can be served for such a pittance.

GETTING THERE

Cafe Provencal
2310 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362               

Click here for map

Incidentally, Cafe Provencal is just one block from the Civic Arts Plaza.  Should you be planning an evening at the theater, do make it an extra romantic evening by dining here first.

For reservations call:  (805) 496-7121

Valet parking?  No.

For more information, see The Cafe Provencal website

Review by:  Beverly and Carl, Ambassadors of Romance (with a little help from Kingsley's scribe)

Here's What Others Have Said About Cafe Provencal:

From Brandi in Lodi, California:

I might have been one of the couples that you saw holding hands at Cafe Provencal.

Actually, my husband proposed to me over a glass of champagne at Cafe Provencal. It was so romantic. We held hands, and I cried. What a guy! We've been married three years now, and that proposal no doubt has helped the marriage along.

Note from Kingsley:

I love romantic stories. I would have cried in my soup too. Congratulations on your romantic proposal, your romantic wedding and your very romantic marriage.
Best,
Kingsley

From Suki in Westwood Village:

We had our office staff lunch catered by Cafe Provencal, and it was really lovely. Oh my, what the French can do with a sandwich. And the desserts! Yes, we had the creme broulee with lavender too (a friend has recommended it to me), and what a treat. I am so glad I learned about this lovely, lovely restaurant -- it really makes my lunch planning so much easier.

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