Don't let its unusual location near the pool of Espace Liberté on the outskirts of Narbonne deter you from making a reservation. Les Grands Buffets in Narbonne is a much more elegant gourmet restaurant than I had imagined before my first visit in 2019 to celebrate a birthday.

From the moment you step in, you'll be immersed in a lavish setting. A smiling hostess will guide you to one of the rooms you selected during your reservation. The table setting is impeccable: cloth napkins, embroidered towels, stemmed glasses, fish cutlery, and more. The refined decor creates a warm atmosphere that will put all food enthusiasts at ease. Once seated, a sommelier will suggest wines from the region, and you'll be directed to the location of the 'grand buffet' in question.

What will you choose then? Seafood, unlimited lobsters, or one of the delicious foie gras options? Servers continually replenish dishes straight from the kitchen. If you have questions, one of them will promptly assist you. Guests and servers alike swarm around the appetizers without crowding. During the COVID period, traffic is well managed with everyone respecting social distancing measures.

It's time to move on to the hot dishes: What will you choose? Rotisserie cuts or one of the chef's specials? Once again, you'll be spoiled for choice: Lièvre à la royale, lobster à l'américaine, pan-seared duck foie gras with mushroom puff pastry, tournedos with foie gras, duck breast, duck hearts, parsleyed calf liver, kidneys, skate wing with capers, whole roasted turbot, frog legs, Burgundy snails, bone marrow with fleur de sel, apple sausage, and more.

But it's not over: You won't leave this place without making one final decision: which of the 111 cheeses will you savor? Since January 2020, Les Grands Buffets have been included in the GUINNESS World Records as the 'Largest Cheese Platter in a Restaurant in the World'! So, to celebrate, you might as well end with a small dessert. Shall I give you the list? No, I prefer to let you dream...

And if you're here to celebrate a birthday, as was the case on my first visit, the team at Les Grands Buffets will have prepared a surprise for you. Everything at Les Grands Buffets is designed to make your visit an unforgettable experience.

Enjoy Les Grands Buffets: Book directly on the restaurant website www.lesgrandsbuffets.com

Photos credit: Les Grands Buffets