Dîner au château

April 16, 2025

Back in January my friend Scott and his paramour spent a romantic night at Chateau de Labro, which included a phenomenal dinner. Knowing we’d be in this part of world in the not-too-distant future he suggested we consider having our own night at the chateau. We just have. There were multiple food orgasms. (WARNING: Vegans should stop reading now!)

After settling in at our table to enjoy the view, we were brought the first of the three pairing wines we’d opted to have.

The first thing to arrive was this amuse-bouche.

It looks like carrots and yams – and indeed those were involved – but the second your fork touched anything orange it turned immediately into an insanely delicious mousse-like liquid. How? Don’t ask me, but it was amazing!

Next up, the entrée (or appetiser as North Americans would say). I confess my French wasn’t really up to understanding exactly what this was. Looked like beetroot, tasted like celeriac – fantastic cream sauce and (get this) savoury ice cream. Ooh la la.

I did understand the French when the plat arrived. Veau. Veal. I haven’t eaten veal for more than four decades. I used to love it, then I discovered what the poor calves were put through and decided never again. Until last night. Oh, my lord! Unbelievable. Okay, never again. Really. And I am sorry, calf.

Then it was time for the fromage.

All lovely, but, holy moly, that one in the middle! Asked the waiter what it was. Pavé Cendré. Definite food orgasm and certainly not the first.

Request une petite pause before dessert, because, well, it was needed.

Dessert arrives with an explanation the young waiter has clearly been coached to deliver in English. (His English is about on a par with my French.) He tells us it is inspired by pina coladas – rum soaked cake with pineapple-flavoured Chantilly. Yum.

Oh, my goodness, like we need amazing petits-fours brought with the café, but here they are.