"Me and my foodie friend from Tasmania are very fussy eaters in that we both appreciate brilliant food, great ingredients, skillfull Chefs, artistic talent that plays with your taste buds, and Au Pois Gourmnand has it in abundance, its is an AWESOME restaurant in a...stunning location right by the Garonne. We were a little surprised when our Uber driver said is was expensive and not very good!!!!! IGNORE TAXI DRIVERS this one was COMPLETELY WRONG, its an ACE place to eat. This meal was the 2nd in a three day eating extravaganza, we had already done night one which was amazing, and now night 2 was in front of us. During the day we had debated which menu to choose, it was a no brainer, The Lobster Lobster Tasting menu with wine flight, yum. Service was friendly and welcoming, the Sommelier was the most enthusiastic we had ever met, talk about passion for wines, he had it in abundance so onto the dinner, we were both excited and expecting great things. We had one of my favourites as an Aperitif, Floc de Gascogne, a fortified wine made of Armagnac and Grape Juice, very tasty. So, along comes Liège of Langouste and Langoutine, in a lovely white porcelain cup, with a dusting of Piment D’Espelette, an ingredient I am very familiar with as it comes from a small number of villages in the Basque region of France, a Red Pepper, that is dried in the sun and ground, used as a condiment, or whole in stews, I have some at home in my spice cupboard! This was a subtle but very rich first course, the palate was going ping pong always a good sign, delish. Course no.2 was BOOOOOOM delicious, knockout and very very tasty indeed…. (Just Saying! . Gambas and Lobster Tartare, Carrot Citrus Vinaigrette, Puffed Quinoa…. It was just amazing, delicate flesh of the prawn and lobster, which was soft and giving, the Vinaigrette was delicious and the crisp Quinoa grains adding some subtle texture, it was brilliant and I would have had a second serving! What next we discussed, being so happy with the first few courses we sat watching the Garonne, discussing if it was maybe a bit tidal as it appeared to be heading in the wrong direction! Another shocker (positive not bad , Big Breaded Langoustine with Puffed Rind, White Chocolate-Yuzu Cream and its Juice. Was I miss-reading the menu, white chocolate and YUZU, a Japanese Citrus fruit, a bit (bit Not like Lemon…….. I had to look again at the menu and then tuck in, another BOOOOOOOM moment, it was stunning, perfectly balanced, almost sweet and sour, but in a different way, this Chef is VERY clever with matching flavours….. AWESOME. So lets have a Half Lobster, roasted with Asparagus, Girolles Fricassee and New Pink Garlic Siphon….. slightly more conventional this course but equally delicious. During the courses we had enjoyed glasses of Coup DE Gueule, Vin de Lune, a very nice l’Eden des Serenes from Limousine, where the famous Cremante is made, the ‘original’ champagne (google the story its fascinating, I have visited the town and one of the original vinery’s .. Onto Pre- Dessert, a ‘charcoal’ and Lime with cream delight which really settled and cleansed the palate ready for the final course, “Surprise” Exotic Chocolate and Passion Sauce, it finished the evening beautifully. Au Pois Gourmand was a brilliant restaurant, relaxed service, awesome food, peaceful setting and yes I would recommend it and yes I would go back and eat again here given the choice, it was AMAZING…… take a detour and try it."
