Thursday, August 21, 2008

Je Suis Gourmand, Makati


Gourmand, a word that some may say is the same as Gourmet (a person who loves to eat good food) and some people say Gormand is a Gourmet with a tendency towards gluttony...whatever the case is, all I have to say is Je Suis Gourmand can turn Gourmets into Gluttons....

We had dinner there last night ( a 2nd birthday celebration for me) with friends, E, C and R. I have to thank another friend, N, for telling me to try it this restaurant. He also helped me out making the reservation and talking to the Chef (Marc) who was gracious enough to agree to prepare a special favorite dish of mine - Steak Tartare.

We arrived at 7 Pm and the restaurant was full. There was a dinner hosted by IWFS (International Wine and Food Society) and all other tables were taken. I had a short list of things I wanted to eat based on N's recommendation, so I asked my friends if I could be in charge of ordering our appetizers. As soon as Chef Marc saw our table he immediately came and asked if I was the one who ordered the steak Tartare. So I said yes and he asked me if I liked its spicy. I normally like it a bit spicy but not too much that you cant taste anything anymore...

For appetizers, we ordered Escargot Bourgignonne, Steak Tartare and a special order of Pan seared Foie gras with Lentils, bacon and arugula that C insisted we try. All 3 appetizers were fantastic. The tartare had just the right amount of spice. It came with capers and it had a silky texture (probably the extra virgin olive oil). The Lentils just went perfect with the foie, bacon and arugula. The escargot had basil and olive oil. The only think I did not like about it was the size of the servings, I could have eaten more of those snails :)....




For the main course, I had the Goose leg confit, R had the trio of Lamb, E had the Lamb shank and C had the Chilean sea bass with saffron risotto. All our main dishes were very good. My Goose leg I found was a bit over cooked and had too much sauce but taste wise it was perfect. The other winner for the night was the sea bass, which combined very well with the saffron risotto.


For our appetizers, we had a 2003 Tourelles de Longueville (Paulliac) and a 2002 Sociando Mallet. For the main course we had a 2003 Chateauneuf du Pape by E. Guigal, which I think was the perfect companion for my Goose leg confit.


Over all I really loved the place and is probably in my top 5 favorite restaurants in Manila. The interiors are very simnple yet elegant and the price is very reasonable.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad you enjoyed yourselves, M. I actually went back out later on to check on you guys but you had already left. My sis, R, was also there that night, but came in late.

I had told Marc to make sure your tartare was precise as you eat that dish all over the place and so possess strong basis for comparison. Ha ha. Pressure!

Nice pics, by the way.

Best,

Noel

Gourmet Traveller said...

So, you finally made it to Je suis gourmand. I did my internship with Marc Aubry before heading off to cooking school in 1991 when he was still at his first restaurant in the La Tasca building. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Miguel said...

Yes finally Did and yes super worth it, Enjoyed everything I had. Chef Marc Aubry is fantastic and really knows how to take care of his clients

ChichaJo said...

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the city! Nice to know he'll make a steak tartare :)

My favorite dishes here are the roasted bone marrow and the veal cheeks borgignone...yum! Also whatever he has fresh from France...he once had this dish of creamed chanterelles with a slice of foie terrine on top which was fantastic!

Miguel said...

Yes definitely. Not sure if he can make it on the spot or you have to pre-order it a day before...

Ill definitely have to go back to try the other dishes in the menu...

Anonymous said...

Je Suis Gourmand is really one of the best restaurants in the metro. Marc definitely knows his stuff, and what a cool guy.

Your blog is a fun read! Found it while checking out Noel's site. Looking forward to more "food porn" from you. Cheers!

Miguel said...

Yup and he is friendly too....

Im glad you enjoy reading my blog :) Thanks..

Anonymous said...

Oh, that goose leg confit just made me very hungry... ;)

Miguel said...

If you havent tried the goose leg, you have to try it. Simply delicious.

thebluefrog said...

je suis gourmand has been our favorite hangout since 4 years. first of all because of chef marc, food, ambience, it's like home! it is rare to find a resto here where the owner/chef is there hands on all the time :)

i love your blog. i just came across it2 days ago while reading and researching on wine! :)

cheers!

Miguel said...

Thanks Sharon - -hope you enjoy the blog :)

You are definitely right about Gourmand and about chef Marc. I'll be going there more often,,

Anonymous said...

Hi! Kudos to a very informative blog. I came across your blog while researching on food and restaurants(what else!).

I like your review of Terry's, my fave restaurant although i don't frequent it that much despite the fact that i live in Makati because it's kind of out-of-the-way for me. But the good news is that they have now a newly opened branch at One Lafayette in Salcedo Village, the same bldg that houses Apartment 1B. I live around Salcedo Village and hence was happy that they opened one there.

Also, i too am a fan of "Je Suis Gourmand". I have been out of the country for quite sometime and i wonder whether the crispy trotter i ordered there is still on their menu? Nevertheless, i bring my guests (mostly foreigners)there and they rave about the food and wine selection.

Have you by any chance tried the Fireplace at Hyatt in Manila? It has a impressive list of wines and the food is very good. The downside is that the price is quite steep.

Thanks again for a wonderful blog and please keep in writing!

Z

Miguel said...

Thanks for your message Z - yes Im aware of Terrys opening in Salcedo and the other one in Podium although I still prefer the one in Pasong Tamo.

I feel bad that I just discovered Gourmand recently but I'll be definitely be going back more often...I'll check on that crispy trotter and let you know if its still available.

Have heard of fireplace and im hoping to try that place out soon - will blog about it if I go - thanks for visiting my site

Anonymous said...

Hi Miguel:

It's Z again. First, my apologies because my previous message was fraught with typos and grammatical errors.

Anyway, i still have yet to try the newly opened Terry's at Salcedo Village. I will definitely give you my feedback. If it won;t be too much to ask, please give let me know if by any chance they have a sale on their wines at P. Tamo branch. I was able to get some good bargains the last time.

The last time we ate at "Je Suis Gourmand", my friend ordered their sea bass but it had a funny taste to it. We told our friend not to continue eating it and we called the attention of the staff. The long and short of it is that it was promptly replaced with the same dish and it was alright. We can't count it as a bad experience since their attentiveness and prompt replacement of the dish with much apologies too and a complimentary dessert made up for such hitch. We'll surely go back there.

And when we do, we hope to see you there. Just don't be surprised if we suddenly approach your table and compliment you for this blog.

Many happy gastronomic experiences to come especially in the fast approaching holiday season!

Z

Miguel said...

hi z...yes terrys always gives discount on their wines on sundays...15% if Im not mistaken...

Yes pls do let me know how the salcedo vill branch is...

Sad to hear about Je suis but im sure it rarely happens...

Im in Europe right now and have eaten in some great restaurants...will be posting them soon...thanks for reading my blog...

Anonymous said...

Good words.

Anonymous said...

Sweet web site, I had not come across www.miguelvecin.com before during my searches!
Keep up the excellent work!

Anonymous said...

I need to encourage you how desire a day
do surf internet a day?
And what are you doing?
Working, chating, searching new information?
And what your [url=http://www.olympusds2300.com/ ]favorite site[/url]?

Anonymous said...

Hi,

This is a message for the webmaster/admin here at www.miguelvecin.com.

Can I use part of the information from this post right above if I provide a link back to your website?

Thanks,
James

Miguel said...

James yes you can use it no problem

Anonymous said...

I've on all occasions liked things like sand clocks, lava lamps, and the like to kind of just dissipate in days of yore staring at it as a configuration of catharsis. In a opportunity, it helps me with meditation, to reduce stress and strain and scarcely fantasize in the air nothing. That's why since I was a kid, in preference to of dolls and cars I've always sedate more of such pieces like sand clocks, lava lamps, tuneful boxes etc. So I was most delighted when I base the[url=http://www.dealtoworld.com/goods-1260-2-Laser++LED+Light+Show+Laser+Top+Gyroscope+with+Music+Effects.html] 2-Laser + LED Inconsiderable Appear Laser Top Gyroscope with Music Effects[/url] from DealtoWorld.com protection the Toys section. It's like a tuneful caddy, a spinning top, and a light verify all rolled into one. Which is capacious amusement! The gyroscope will whirl after about a minute. The laser slight show with accompanying music makes this gyroscope a rather incomparable tiny that my friends have also been most amused with.

My dogs are also nice-looking outr?about the laser gyroscope I got from DealtoWorld.com. They each follow the gyroscope as it spins, although at first they kept barking at the laser slight accompany, and also because it produces music. But after they got used it, they've stopped barking but just keep following the gyroscope whenever I start spinning it. Kids are also attractive amused alongside it. Off it's proper to possess diverting toys throughout the ancestry so that you can desert the small on while the kids are being amused or playing with it while you live fit out scoff or get changed. The gyroscope is unified such play with with this purpose.

The gyroscope I bought from DealtoWorld.com has a dragon as a intent plot on it, and produces a light exposition with red, dispirited, and unripened colours. Pit oneself against a look at the pictures I've uploaded of the gyroscope with laser light show. The music produced from the gyroscope is not that renowned but decorous plenty to consider any supplementary customer to the house. The gyroscope is red and raven, making it look extraordinarily cold, and slightly virile with that dragon imprint.

The music dismount attack show gyroscope runs on 6 LR44 batteries, which are replaceable anyway. I've also euphemistic pre-owned this gyroscope to eye-opener my girlfriend during our anniversary celebration. I did the cheesy matter of decorating the hostelry cell with roses and when I led her in, I started up the gyroscope as correctly so that the laser insight expose produces a ideal effect. I also had some battery operated candles so all the understanding effects created a rather dreamt-up atmosphere. She loved it, past the custom, to my relief. I also bought the candles from DealtoWorld.com. These days it seems to be my oversight shopping placement suitable all gifts and ideas in behalf of romanticist occasions.

Since Christmas is coming, this laser light make clear gyroscope can possibly be a momentous Christmas give-away for the toddler or neutral the mollycoddle! Alternatively, the gyroscope can altogether be a kindly totalling to the ordinary Christmas decorations. I can imagine placing it just about the Christmas tree and peradventure spinning it when guests arrive in the house. Looks like [url=http://www.dealtoworld.com]DealtoWorld.com[/url] is getting my subject thus far again!