Hangzhou has very few independent western restaurants worth talking about, and Provence is one of them, probably the best of the lot. Tucked into a small well-liked leafy street near the stadium, the simple decoration stands out amongst the jumble of the rest of the street. Inside the this 农民房, or farmer’s house, the decoration is again simple, light and airy. There is a good bar on the way in and some high tables to get going on a pastisse while reading the menu.

The menu is pretty simple, with loads of real fresh looking stuff, good cuts of meat, some pasta; while the owners are French and the restaurant advertised as French, the menu has a more Mediterranean feeling about it.

Provence is run by Eric, a man who likes his wine, no surprise there, and he takes great pride in providing a range of wines unavailable elsewhere in Hangzhou, and all fairly priced, for China at least.

The place is open for lunch as well, with fantastic salads so huge that you might if it should be a part of your diet. Then hang around in the afternoon over some coffee and get online or have a bit more Pastisse – after all you are now in a small slice of France and you had better do like the French…

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