FR – Following the ‘dynamic of the Tiers-Lieu Le 21’ and the more cinematic atmosphere of the Capitole, Pollen returns to the forefront until the end of summer at the Galerie de l’Uzège, opposite Saint-Etienne Church.
‘Continuing its exploration of the vibrant spots’ in Uzès, the Pollen team is donning their aprons once again for a new pop-up event with a… gourmet twist in the art gallery that Pollen promises to transform, with the exhibited artworks serving as an artistic backdrop, all in good taste…
A pop-up gourmet destination
‘A stone’s throw from the Place aux Herbes’, far from the summer hustle and bustle, Pollen offers you the chance to book one of the few tables bathed in the warm light of late afternoon and early evening…
With a fine selection of wines chosen ‘for the stories they tell’, the menu gives the right place to ‘seasonal cuisine with a farm-to-table focus’, whilst also highlighting the Gard region’s terroir. It is also a participatory dining experience, a meeting of flavours and palates, a story unfolding through a range of dishes spanning sweet and savoury.
The wines, selected for their intensity and character, are thus paired with the menu, allowing guests to discover the best combinations. We find grape varieties such as Sauvignon, Viognier, Grenache and Roussanne… which exude fruity and toasty scents and aromas, with floral notes, hints of dried fruit or honey, black fruits and vegetal nuances…
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Among the selected wines are the Alfred cuvée from Domaine LBV (Uzège), the nectar from Domaine Malaïgue (Uzège), the A Capella cuvée from Domaine Agarrus (Uzège), the Zénite from Domaine Terres d’Hachène (Cévennes), the White Rabbit from Domaine de Berguerolles (Cévennes)…
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Pollen is working with ‘around fifteen local producers’ to ensure the success of this new summer culinary venture, ‘created as a joint effort’. Alongside Lucas is Anne, ‘a farmer and eco-farm manager in Collorgues, who supports the kitchen on a daily basis by supplying the treasures of her vegetable garden, including flowers, herbs, and summer fruits and vegetables’.
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One of the highlights of the summer menu? The light and airy lentil hummus (from Ferme Chaux devant in Aigaliers) topped with raw cream (from Ferme du Pélissous, in Tornac) and chorizo pesto (from Mont Lagast, in Aveyron), where the spices from Maison Arcadie, in Méjannes-les-Alès, find a flavourful playground.
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There’s also the delicious bread from Thibaut Schelstraete in La Capelle-et-Masmolène (read our paper Le pain de la Capelle : organic bread with character), which brings out the flavours of the cheeses, such as the creamy Pelardon from Ferme du Bougès in Pont-de-Montvert, the Saint-Antoine (Camembert-style) and the Armandou from the Ferme de Puech Cabrier in Uchaud, or the olive oil from the Domaine de Catresse in Arpaillargues.
Tempting, isn’t it? So, all that’s left for you to do is embark on this gastronomic adventure in the heart of the historic centre of the ducal city!
And once summer is over?
Pollen is already planning to treat diners’ taste buds this autumn, starting on 1 October with the first event, ‘A dinner exploring the concept of robustness’, as part of the Parlement des Liens, featuring Olivier Hamant, and on the 8th and 9th, two dinners organised in collaboration with the J’enracine association during the Saveurs et Savoirs Festival.
About Pollen
Founded in 2023 by Lucas Botebol in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, the Pollen project aims to act as a link between the local area (winegrowers, chefs, farmers, etc.) and the local community. From its beginnings as a summer refreshment stand, Pollen has grown and diversified, combining gastronomy with cultural events. As a member of the Réseau de la coopération, a ‘network of committed stakeholders working to strengthen and promote the well-being of the local area’, Pollen has participated in and/or organised more than 20 events since its inception.
Many thanks to Lucas Botebol, from Buvette Pollen, for his collaboration on this article and the tasting session of the summer menu.
The place to go: Pollen at the Galerie de l’Uzège, 1 plan Saint-Etienne, Uzès. Find Pollen on Instagram.