Wow. This place... This place reminded me that with the right ingredients and a bit of skill, food is transformed into magic.
If you ever find yourself anywhere near Villefranche-sur-mer you must give La Mère Germaine a try. I called to reserve a table but they said they were fully booked (obviously.) So with the utmost disregard we headed there anyway. Boy am I glad we did! Tip: they have a valet service. Villefranche is a hilly town. If you park anywhere above the port you're gonna climb back up there post meal. It's great cardio but you're on vacation so why bother.
The Lobster Salad. I mean. Let me tell you. This dish defines freshness. It's as simple as a dish can ever get. But the magic is when everything on the plate sings on your palate. This dish will for ever live on in my memory as the sweetest song my taste buds have ever heard. Every element on the plate made sense. From the lobster, to the mesclun greens, to the grapefruit, to the (ever so light) balsamic dressing. A cohesive dish is a successful dish. A++++
In random order our table also ordered: Prawn Curry, Sole Meunière, and the daily special; John Dory and 2 scallops with squid ink pasta.
The desserts were outstanding as well. We had the creme brûlée; (nature, chocolat, café) and the gateaux au chocolat. The praline feuilletine base was extraordinarily delicious. It added the perfect crunchy balance to the creamy mousiness of the chocolate. Superb!
This historic restaurant has been doing just fine since 1938. They know what they're doing. And that's fresh fresh fresh food!
P.S I read that their bouillabaisse is quite good.
(They played this track at the restaurant and I've been loving it ever since.)
Hey guys, I’ve found a teleporter! But it only works from Abu Dhabi to Paris, (sorry). Step in through the doors of Brasserie Angélique and voila! you’re in the city of lights! Sans the speaking in French part, obvs. I felt very welcome by the staff at the door and throughout the whole meal...this is the sercet portal to the friendly side of France. [Shout out to Nicolas!] This place was so good I went twice in one week!
For the first dinner, I find myself uncosciously ordering the proverbial epicurean combination of surf and turf. I had the Lobster starter and the Steak for my entree. The lobster was tough to cut but thankfully not tough to chew. The accompanying veg were harmonious with the dish but the gnocchi pieces almost stole the show! Divine! I’m encouraged to order the gnocchi main next time.The steak was beautiful and even more wonderful considering the price. Order it however you like, but medium is the best way to enjoy it personally (or medium-rare). Also recommended are the escargots...for the French purists and adventurous palates.
The Apple Tart Tatin was legit. A little on the sour side, but that’s how it is!
On both occasions I had their signature drink aptly named; pour quoi pas? “Yes, why not mix banana, peach purée and Earl Grey tea...it’ll be marvelous!”, said the bar man one day...and it paid off! This beverage, to put it mildly, is sublime. If Strawberry Shortcake had a sister called Peach Shortcake, she'd be this drink.
For my second indulgent dinner, I had the Onion Soup (classic), the Seabream (yum) and the Crème Brûlée (naughty). The soup looked like sludge (in a good way) and was soooo intense!! It was like a boeuf bourguignon without the beef! I thought to myself, “This is France. Pure, unfiltered, no excuses, in your face. Bold and daring and French. Only they would have the Gaulgall to make a soup like this.” I felt out of place in Abu Dhabi, a city, a desert. This soup was so à la campagne. It should be snowing outside. Anyway, let’s talk about that little tartine of cheese. OMG I could have that emmental tartine every morning and not get bored! Side note: I had to ask the, very knowledgable staff about the cheese. He informed me that was emmental. I thought it was comté. Shame on me. I know.
The Seabream, or Daurade if you’re fancy, is cooked en croûte de sel, meaning, freaking covered in sea salt! It arrives at your table looking like a mini sand dune that your server has to archeologically dig to uncover the fish within. He then presents the dish to you with a smile. Each element alone was perfect. The salty fish, the bitter caramelized endive, and the coconut wild rice lends its much needed nuterality to this flavorful party.
When all four elements (5 counting the lemon) are combined in one bite, signals are sent to your brain, you feel a tingle of nerves, a smile starts creeping up on your face and you feel like you never want this moment to end. I will admit I had a hard time cutting the endive, mainly because I had a fish knife...bitter til the very end! But then I thought I must be doing something wrong. Indeed one has to simply pull it apart gently, and it will come undone. I almost wish I had ordered some spinach or haricots verts, just to have something green. Unfortunately the only green thing on my table was a bottle of Pellegrino. If you're a really picky fish eater (like me) or a hard core piscivore, you'll thoroughly enjoy this.
A night at Brasserie Angélique is a special one. It is the cure to any of your worries and anxieties. After all Lumière said it best, “If you’re stressed, it’s fine dining we suggest!” And I’m sure the team at BA would be delighted if you were their guest. Jumeirah Etihad Towers Abu Dhabi, UAE T: +971 2 811 5666
