LALLOUZ INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE :: The Epicurean Experience

“LE CHEF”

Located in the commune of St. Laurent D’Aigouze, RESTAURANT L’EIGOUSO is situated in a charming 18th Century construction. Upon entering the fortress-like wood doors, one is suddenly standing in a foyer of eclecticism. Layers upon layers of crockery, tureens, carafes, vessels of stoneware, vases, a multitude of Provençale bric-a-brac enhanced by the greenery of plant life. In a word, this hideaway exudes tremendous ‘warmth’.

One of the most popular French delicacies is Fois Gras Canard. Chef Marie-José shares L’EIGOUSO’s secret recipe as consisting of high quality duck, salt, pepper, fig preserve and quince paste (quince is a yellow fruit related to the apple and pear families), resulting in a most pleasurable appetizer.

Surrounded by the magnificence of exhibited painted works by French Artist Gil Pirès, we were about to embark on an Epicurean Experience ‘à la Saint-Laurentais’. We respectively eased into our dining adventure comprised of palatable delights; Salade de Fois Gras Maison avec Toast Chaud (house specialty of duck liver served up with miniature toasts on wild field greens), Salade de Chèvre Chaud et Magrait Fumé (Domaine Muriat warmed goat cheese and Matagot smoked duck over wild field greens), Salade d’Escargots de Mer et Laïoli (wild field greens with Grau du Roi snails accompanied with a mayonnaise-like sauce traditionally served with seafood -- ‘laïoli’ is made of garlic and olive oil), Salade Petit Sèches Persil avec Ail et Huile d’Olive (parslied cuttlefish ‘similar to the squid family’ seasoned with garlic and olive oil over wild field greens).

Created more than a dozen years ago by husband and wife business venturers, Christian and Marie-José Vuillermoz-Bonnefille, Restaurant Traiteur L’EIGOUSO caters to a traditional ‘Cuisine Camarguaise’.

Our dinner party was greeted and seated at a lovely table in a cozy dining area built of old stone and overhead wood beams, while stained glass lamps glimmered all around. The recommended choice of wine; an award winning “Medaille d’Argent Paris 2007” Gris de Gris Vin de Pays des Sables du Golfe du Lion -- most reliably ‘a choice selection’ amongst Caves of the region.

L’EIGOUSO’s eclectic foyer offers originality

And for dessert... an assortment of thigh widening marvels! Maître Chocolatier-Patissier, Eric Vuillermoz-Bonnefille is a twelve-year veteran Artisan when it comes to the ‘Sweet Course’. The son of Restaurant L’EIGOUSO proprietors, confections such as the Petits Choux Caramel (cream puffs with caramel) and the ‘pièce de resistance’ La Crème à la Poire (a pear based treat similar to crème brulée) simply holler divinity!

RESTAURANT L’EIGOUSO

Approached some 3-years ago by good friend Alain “Momo” Moya requesting dinners for his troupe after a comedic event, Chef Marie-José has since added a ‘full service catering’ enterprise to the already popular Restaurant L’EIGOUSO. Be it single portion orders, intimate dinner parties, or the grandiosity of burlesque shows as great as 400 persons, Marie-José shares, “It went over so well, and following that we received many requests for catering. It’s thanks to Momo and his troupe that we were able to build our catering division.”

Having championed a most pleasing first course, our party unanimously favoured to move ahead selecting L’EIGOUSO’s famed Gardianne de Taureau avec Riz et Ratatouille (marinated black bull beef stew with Camargue rice and a zesty homemade ratatouille) served with Mache et Salade des Champs (mesclun and wild field greens)... outstanding both in the arena, as well as the stew. A huge success!

SABLÉ À LA FRAMBOISE

Restaurant Traiteur L’EIGOUSO

240 rue Carnot, 30220 St. Laurent d’Aigouze

Tél. +33 04 66 88 17 36 www.eigouso.com

A chaleureux 18th Century hideaway located in the charming Provençale village of Saint Laurent D’Aigouze. Affordable traditional restaurant specializing in Regional dishes, and offering full service catering of the finest specialties to an array of clientèle. Chef Marie-José Vuillermoz-Bonnefille brings old-fashioned goodness to Camarguaise Cuisine. A quality selection of Hérault wines for aficionados. Cozy dining ambiance amidst rotating Art Exhibitions. Private soirées. Menu changes daily pending availability of fresh produce. Open every night. Call for reservations. A Euphoric Epicurean Experience in Camargue!

RESTAURANT TRAITEUR L’EIGOUSO

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Painting of “LE CHEF” by Elyahou Lallouz