The story
At Moment in Saint-Trojan-les-Bains, chef Adèle Poupin channels her Brussels training into a bright market-driven cuisine that honors her Oléron upbringing. She designed a menu that reads like a personal travel diary while staying firmly rooted in local producers. This flexible approach shifts with the seasons and favors crisp techniques over heavy sauces. Her work recently earned a place on the 2026 Le Fooding list for balancing wanderlust with hometown comfort.
The kitchen treats this French cooking as a revolving showcase for seasonal finds rather than rigid tradition. Crispy arancini hide earthy mushrooms cultivated near the local citadel, while roasted beets rest on labneh dressed with chimichurri and preserved lemon. Fried octopus pairs with an apricot mayo, and daily catches appear as delicate fish balls topped with local seaweed ketchup. A finish of chocolate ganache folded with buckwheat and fleur de sel rounds out the meal.
Sky-blue walls and a white-tiled bar set a playful eighties tone that welcomes families alongside visiting food lovers. Opaline pendant lights hang above compact tables, leaving just enough room for a tiny terrace to catch the coastal breeze. Children are encouraged to share in the relaxed pace, making the narrow layout feel surprisingly spacious. This unpretentious setting lets the ingredients take center stage without demanding formal reservations or stiff service.
Recognition
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