The setting is white with hints of ocean blue and other colors very reminiscent of a Matisse work (check out the FB photos) and so calm and cool, especially in the heat wave we have had! House water here is filtered and offered in sparkling or still! Sam is a huge fan now of French cider and Amber suggested a bottle of Eric Bordelet Poiree Cidre(one of the most famous Normandy pear ciders) made from 17 types of pears! He loved it as we did our very local Domaine de Puy Redon 2016 Chardonnay which is not a common Bordeaux grape and was from only 100 miles east of us!
One of the main reasons we wanted to go here was that they offer an amazing tasting menu of 4 or 6 courses priced at 100 and 130 Euros respectively which is a steal at today's exchange ($117 & $152). we chose the six and the veggie option was only 4 for Sam. They also have wine pairings, but again we prefer to order two bottles and save a bundle. Our red that Amber said was amazing and indeed it was, was the 2021 Beaune 1er Cru from Domaine Phillippe Bouzereau, a magnificent full-bodied Burgundy Pinot Noir that opened up magnificently after Amber decanted it!
There were cocktails of course and Janice had the requisite champagne while I tried to Dolce Vita of Italicus, Champagne and sparkling water while Will tried the Acapulco made with Limoncello, Green citron and thyme verjus.
There are always amuses and we had two sets of them. First came a vegetable tartelette with tarragon cream and zucchini balls, a marinated Sea Bream with watermelon (Sam got something else) and a Cauliflower tartelette, ours having a tiny lardon on top.
The second amuse was an unbelievably tender Cuttlefish two-ways: marinated and paired with a truly subtle cuttlefish cream topped with mirabelle (those amazing tiny French plums) and radish, while Sam got Candied Apricot with cream and black garlic. This was served with oregano & basil focaccia and a smoked fir tree butter!
Course I was a Smoked Tomatoes with a Vanilla Tomato Sorbet, Oil and Tomato Jus that was about one of the most refreshing tomato dishes ever made from superb heirloom tomatoes. While this might be a vegetarian's delight, this was one dish we all agreed was stupendous.
Course II was Langouste (lobster) with Lobster & black garlic sauce paired with Roasted Eggplant and candied apricot! The sauce had a pesto feel and was extremely mild and unique. I wish we knew that Janice did not eat lobster as she pawned hers off to us making me feel a tad sad! A lotus shaped fried bread topped with lobster accompanied the dish.
Course III was a Roasted Sardine with Rocket (Arugula) & Spinach cream, Peppered Hollandaise and roasted Padron pepper. This dish totally surprised me as it was spicy and so not French! Mackerel is common here and of course, it is fishy, but the hollandaise was not very rich and a tad spicy which was the perfect foil to the fish. Of course, the Padron was quite spicy, too! Sam got a gorgeous plate of Carrots with Citrus Jelly.
Our main course IV was Pigeon Leg Confit with foie gras stuffing as well as gorgeous plump breast roasted and served with a very mild caramelized fennel and sweet onion cream that I adored. Sam got caramelized fennel and the same cream sauce that he loved.
Cheese was next (a main reason we chose the 6 course option) and it was a beautiful tray(see FB photos) we each chose from. I wnet with Corse du Maquis, a light firm cheese; Chevre et brebis (goat and sheep mix) persille (parslied) that was divine; Marotte made from sheep and looking like Tete de Moines (which is shaved off in this coils); and Pont L'Eveque an always fab French choice. They were paired with Rhubarb puree. My notes indicate we ordered a glass of Graeme & Julie Bott 2022 Condrieu, but I cannot recall doing that or where we drink it! Of course, we are huge Condrieu (very rare and specific Rhone Viognier) fans and drink it whenever we can, if the price is right!
Dessert course VI was Roasted Peach with Brunoise of Peach, Shiso pesto and Peach Sorbet, a dehydrated green shiso leaf on top all in a peach & oil vinaigrette. This dish was a mirror of the opening tomato dish and treated the fruit like it was a goddess. We all oohed and ahhed and gobbled it up.
Of course, petit fours arrived but this was not a candy to take away, it was a delicious scoop of Cardamom & Pepper Ice Cream that was like a fluffy mousse all topped with cacao crude. Again, not a dribble left in anyone's bowls.
We loved it all (save for Janice & the lobster!) and can't wait to return and maybe meet the chef team of Sophie et Frederic as well!
