SHANAEL

It wouldn't be very smart to describe Toulon as a gastronomic desert, out of consideration for the two or three restaurants that are making an effort, but let's be honest: the gourmet scene quickly becomes repetitive, prompting diners to head for the hinterland or Saint-Tropez. Finally, here is a restaurant ready to turn the tide. Having learned his craft under the watchful eye of Christophe Saintagne, Jean-François Piège, and Alain Ducasse, and after shining at Le Meurice and the Hôtel Burgundy, Anthony Denon was destined to open yet another trendy Parisian restaurant. But no. Ready to strike out on his own, he headed south and fought to take over the premises of Le Sourd, the former traditional bouillabaisse restaurant of Toulon families. In a chic and understated dining room with soft lighting and creamy tones, the wait staff twirl around in pantsuits, little navy dresses, and stewardess-style scarves. The dishes, the result of impeccable expertise, are sincere. Perfectly cooked, masterfully creative, with hints of vegetables and a distinct iodine flavor, lunch is reasonably priced: the positioning is clever, the offering clear-sighted. So, has the gamble paid off? Certainly, the charm is working, especially with the cauliflower en croûte served that lunchtime. Admittedly so, since Shanael has already charmed the Red Guide, earning a star in March 2026, barely three months after opening.