La Grand’Vigne - Fine Dining in Bordeaux
Just south of the city of Bordeaux in Martillac you will find a wonderful hotel amidst the vineyards of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte with a 2-Michelin-Star restaurant: La Grand’Vigne. The inventors of fine dining and the inventors of red wine…this could be good.
(For a review of the hotel Les Sources des Caudalie go here)
Ambience
I really love the old wood style of the Les Source de Caudalie, because it fits so perfectly to the vineyards of Bordeaux. More on this in my review of the hotel.
The neighbouring chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
On of the vegetable gardens for the restaurant
The dining room itself had an elegant atmosphere and view of the gardens.
I like to be the first one in the restaurant, but it was filling up quickly
Apéritif
I asked the sommelier to surprise me with something special as the aperitif and boy did he deliver.
Excuse the bad picture quality, I may have been too excited
The Henri Giraud Aÿ Grand Cru Fût de Chêne Brut MV10 was really something special and new for me. This champagne was so creamy, peachy, just fantastic. One thing to note though: whenever you tell a Fine-Dining-Sommelier to give you something special, the bill is going to increase substantially ;) (here by 50 EUR for a glass).
The Menu
I chose the five step journey through Aquitaine.
Amuse-bouche
The bread did disappoint a little. It did not feel fresh and rather dry.
1st Course - Walk in the garden
2nd Course - Crayfish and foie gras royale
3rd Course - Sea bass from “La Cotinière”
4th Course - Miss Le Guen’s pigeon
5th Course - Dessert: The fig
Wine
Of course I chose a red wine from the area: Chateau Latour-Martillac Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé 2014. Good value for money.
Summary
| Restaurant | La Grand'Vigne |
|---|---|
| Brand | SLH |
| Chef | Nicolas Masse |
| Michelin | Two Stars |
| Gault&Millau | 17/20 / 3 Hats |
| Verdict | A wonderful experience that was only tainted by the quality of the bread which was a little dry and didn't seem freshly made. I think in a 2-star restaurant the bread needs to feel like fresh out of the oven every time. Everything else, though, was up to par: thoughtful, friendly service, dishes following an overall arc (Aquitanian journey) and were a delight on the palate. And of course the suggested red wine was fitting, as expected. The recommended Champagne did surprise and made me note it to buy for myself. |
| CT Points | 95 |
Since I was a solo diner, they gave me this book about the hotel’s story
