Youpala Bistrot

[Margaret Pilgrim]

Having read good things about Jean-Marie Baudic and finding that we would be within an hour or so from his restaurant, I had high hopes for our dinner last week. However, Baudic surpassed my expectations. His passions are vegetables and seafood which he treats with respect and imagination. There is no carte, only a chef's choice three course meal which eventually became eight as five small desserts are rolled out, one after the other. Every plate is beautiful but more important every bite on every plate is delicious and in no way gratuitous.

With aperitifs, we were served these seafood bites, each one incredible.

An entree of scallops, beets, pumpkin, greens atop a fine pumpkin soup.

Perfectly done bar with a clam stuffed with exotic mushrooms plus foie gras emulsion.

An optional cheese course, 8€ additional.

The parade of desserts, small and exquisite: exotic fruit salad, quince sorbet, nougat tapioca with liche, figs with fig sorbet and cocoa, touronne souffle.

Even mignardise with our coffee and tissanes.

The cost of this menu is 49€; with three beautifully matched wines it became 59€. Although we had enjoyed a wonderful meal at Roellinger two nights before, without doubt Baudic served us our meal of the year. He is a delightlful host, his dining room staff is excellent and I can't overemphasize the simple deliciousness of his food. Youpala Bistrot has become a destination restaurant for us. (TGV from Paris to Saint Brieuc is 3 hours.)

Edited December 13, 2008 by Margaret Pilgrim (log)