You're Invited: Thanksgiving in St. Remy!

Co-owner Bastien Matagliati and chef Richard Smache will host their first-ever American-style Thanksgiving at the Bistrot de Saint Remy on Thursday November 28. Chef Richard has spent lots of time in the US and is very familiar with the traditional Thanksgiving menu...but plans to give it a little French twist, of course. "No worries!" he told me. "I've got this!" 

The 60€-per-person lunch is open to everyone--singles, couples, families--and all nationalities are welcome! 

The Bistrot de Saint Remy is a sister restaurant to the Bistrot du Paradou; Paradou owner Vincent Quenin is Bastien's business partner. These are two of my favorite restaurants and I'm so delighted that the owners have offered to host this special fête! Vincent (who also has the Bistrot Saint-Roch in Maussane) says he hopes it will become an annual event. 

The festive afternoon begins at 1 pm with a sparkling Thanksgiving aperitif. Seating will follow at communal tables of 10 to 14 people each, with the meal served family style. The party will be indoors or out, depending on weather, and is expected to end around 4 pm. 

MENU

*Starter of squash soup
*Turkey with French-style stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce
*Mashed potatoes
*Green beans
*A selection of traditional Thanksgiving desserts
*Serve-yourself wines in red, white and rosé

Cocktails, coffee, tea, bottled water and soft drinks will be available at an extra charge.

Seating is limited and you must reserve and pay in advance; booking info is below. The deadline to book is Thursday November 21.

Chef says most special dietary requests can be accommodated but please let him know as much in advance as possible. Do this by sending a message with your name, phone and request to the email below. 

My friends at the dining-and-travel club La Table des Amis have kindly offered to handle booking and payment for Thanksgiving. You need not be a member to attend but think about joining anyway...they'd love to have you! 

To book for Thanksgiving, click here. 

Questions about the event? Email: info@latabledesamis.com. Or, call me (+33 6 29 22 16 96) or Barney Lehrer (+33 6 19 82 36 27). 

For the backstory on La Table des Amis, click here. For info on joining, click here. 

The Bistrot de Saint Remy is located at 12 blvd. Gambetta, 13210 St. Remy de Provence. Parking is on the street or in nearby lots. To see what I wrote when they opened in 2020, click here.

Can't join us in St. Remy? Dommage! Just in case, here are some other nice holiday options for you...

*The Avignon Chapter of Democrats Abroad will hold their annual Thanksgiving lunch on Saturday Nov 30 from 1 to 5 pm. This will be a pot-luck, family-style celebration in a private home in Cavaillon, for 40 people max. For more info or to reserve: dennis.shibut@gmail.com. 

*If you'll be on the French Riviera rather than in Provence in late November, not to worry! The American Club of the Riviera hosts an annual Thanksgiving luncheon for members (195€) and guests (245€), at the Hotel Hermitage in Monaco. This year it's Thursday Nov 28 at 12:30 pm. Non-members who join the ACR for 2025 get special Thanksgiving pricing; email Timothy Molyneux (teldata.consulting@gmail.com) for details. Otherwise all the Thanksgiving info is here. 

*American chef Jon Chiri will once again offer a Thanksgiving plat du jour for lunch on Thursday Nov 28, at his cafe and cooking school in the Les Halles Market in Avignon. For info: +33 6 46 89 85 33, contact@jonathanchiri.com. 

Wishing you and your family a joyous Thanksgiving, wherever you plan to spend it!