The dining area at Le Club Cinquante Cinq is a vision of rustic loveliness and holds some of the most sought after lunch seats on this crescent of sand. The tables are touched with filtered shade provided by the grove of trees, and the sails strung between them, under which they sit. Misting water keeps diners cool and refreshed as they journey through a long, leisurely lunch.
The tables are set with blue and white linens in a variety of shades and patterns, the linens look as if they were washed and hung to dry {in the hot French sunshine}, but not pressed… very fitting for this casual setting.
The trees serve as shelves for the linens,
and napkins are stored in baskets lashed to the trunks. Using the trees as furniture gives the feeling that everyone is sort of camping out here in this little sandy oasis in a grove of trees.
But the pretty china, adorned with the fruits of the sea, strongly indicates that, in fact, we are not camping at all. Le Club 55 offers the epitome of my favorite dining situation
~ elegant food in a rustic setting.
On the day we visited, they sprinkled the tables for a wedding party with pastel rose petals. I’m thinking that today, they may have used red petals or flowers to honor the Americans in the house.
The setting above is the calm before the lunch storm. About 150+ people flow in here for lunch each day and the servers hustle and bustle to try to fulfill everyones wining and dining desires. They offer delicious regional fare. One of the most famous dishes is the crudites piled in a rustic cork bowl {click HERE for more info and a source}. The vegetables are served au naturel, with a paring knife that guests can use to cut and trim them.
It also comes with an anchovy dip and hard boiled eggs {nearly a meal in itself}. I usually ask for a side of aioli too, it’s a wonderful dip for the fresh vegetables.
Outside of the dining area is a snack bar and some of the best shopping on the beach.
The boutique offers a wide array of unique sarongs, swimsuits and cover ups.
There are also a lot of salty accessories for the home,
so you can bring a bit of the beach,
or at least some good ideas, to your abode.
After lunch, if you’ve booked ahead, you can move into a little palapas on the beach to lounge and linger the afternoon away, in between dips in the Med.
Do you think elegant food tastes better in a rustic setting?
Where will you be celebrating the Fourth of July??
mikky says
Great photos. I especially love the beach shot, the little beach cabanas, not sure what to call them are just so cool. Wish I were laying under one of those tomorrow…ahh…
happy 4th!
🙂
mikky
http://www.todaloos.com
Teresa at Splendid Sass says
This looks like an amazing place to spend the entire day, Emily! Beautiful shades of blue, and I would spend too much money in the shops.
Happy 4th to you and your family.
Teresa
xoxo
The enchanted home says
OMG..I am in textile nirvana…what gorgeous linens they use and the ones for sale….I would be in heaven!
I Dream Of says
Emily, I'm sure you won't be surprised that I'm absolutely dying over Le Club 55! Blue, while, an elegant rustic South of France setting — amazing! Can't wait to catch up with you and hear all about your wonderful adventures! XOXO
Karena says
Oh what a wonderful setting Emily I love the dining atmosphere and am sure the menu is excellent.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
quintessence says
Looks absolutely divine. So enjoying my vicariously Riviera vacation – thank you!!