Bordeaux, June 2018 – One of the hardest tables to reserve in Bordeaux was the recently minted 1 Michelin star Garopapilles, led by Chef Tanguy Laviale and co-owner, Gael (Chef de Cave, sommelier). Mr. King and I considered this our best meal during our last visit to Bordeaux.

We selected the degustation menu that comprised of 5 courses (Eur60++). The restaurant also offers a menu du jour (lunch menu) at Eur35++. The more extensive menu allowed us to savour a broader variety of dishes, especially since we ordered a nice bottle of red wine.

Amuse bouche – smoked lard emulsion. Lots of texture with from crunchy cereals folded within.

Spinach dumpling, shimeji mushrooms, garlic emulsion.

Carpaccio of St. Pierre, little peas, caviar and lemon emulsion.

Lobster, mushrooms, coconut juice – This was the most memorable dish. Lobster was cooked just right, a little raw in the center, and the lobster juice with coconut cream was absolutely amazing.

Lamb, white asparagus, Japanese celeriac, mushrooms – The lamb was so tender that we almost couldn’t tell it was lamb. Chef Tanguy used a very special cut of lamb, neither loin or chops.

Religieuse dessert – sesame coated, chocolate crunchies, almond ice cream with grapefruit.

The intimate 20-seater is casual, and the service staff was friendly. A real gem hidden in the small streets behind busy Rue Judaique, off Place Gambetta !

Garopapilles -62 Rue Abbé de l’Épée, 33000 Bordeaux, France.  www.garopapilles.com

All photos were taken by Mrs. King.