"Hat's Off" Dinner at Marque Restaurant

[Rob]

I had a ffantastic time at Marque restaurant last thursday. Like to share my thought on the matching wines with food.


1. Cromesquis de fois Gras (Croquette of fattened Goose Liver)
Matching Wine: Lillet, l'aperitif de Bordeaux, Gironde


Nice tropical fruit with summer flower aroma. Good balance of acidity and not overly powerful and sweet. good structure and well balanced

2. Cappucinno of Haricort Blanc (Soup of White beans)
Matching wine: 98 Pouilly-fume, Chateau de Tracy, Loire Valley


Lovely tropical fruit aroma with a hint of peaches, Good balance of acidity and fruit, medium finish.

3. Gelee de Caviar a la creme de Chou-fleur (Lobster Aspic and caviar with cauliflower cream
Matching wine: 01 Macon, Cordier, Burgundy

pale yellow in colour, aroma of stone fruit but closed, good acid, but the balance of fruit and acidity is tight, in 2 to 3 years time, it should be a lovely wine to drink

4. " Gargouillou" de jeunes Legumes (Spring vegetables with ediable flowers
Matching wine: Collioure Rose, Les Clos de Paulilles, Roussillon
Strong alcohol, very tight nose, blackberry on the palate with a very smooth tannin. Not my type of drink

5. Saumon Cuit a la nage puis refroidi, emulsion d'huile d'olive au vert
(Poached Salmon with a herb emulsion and Truffled Potato)
Matching wine: Santenay 1er Cru, Maladiere, Prieur, Burgundy

Purple in colour, with a lovely aroma, excellent balance of acidity with fruit, medium body, very silky fine tannin, long finish (pick of the night)

6. Dragee de Pigeonneau a l'hydromel (Roast Squab with sugared almond and Honey wine
Matching wine: Cotes du Rhone Villages 'seguret', Texier

Purple/red in colour, a lovely aroma of plum with a hint of cherry, good structure with fine smooth tannin, medium body wine. (another pick of the night)

7. Xocolat en textures (Eight texture of chocolate)
Matching wine: Banyuls 'Cap Bear', Les Clos de Paulilles, Roussillon

Raisin aroma, toffee on the palate and gentel oak, nice balance of acidity, sweetness and fruit, lovely indeed.

Cheers
Rob

[bacchaebabe]

Hey Rob,

I went to this one too but on the monday night. We also went for the matched wine option. Interesting to try things I hadn't had before. Particularly liked the first wine - very dry and a great aperitif. Also the last wine was quite unusual and enjoyable. Wouldn't necessarily rush out to buy an of them though.

Thing of the night had to be the Fois Gras Croquettes though - to die for!

Found the service a bit unfriendly except for the maitre d'. I'm sure there was a personality somewhere inside the sommelier! Strange considering it was the night they got awarded the three hats. Thought they might have announced it at the restaurant on the night and shared the joy a bit!

Kris.

[Rob]

I agree with you that the de fois gras is to die for- absolutely devine. I am a bit of regular at the Marque so I am pretty friendly with Nick the sommilier. We had a chat about the matching wine on Thursday night and I had a ball.

maybe they are a bit up tight about the Monday night because it is the award night. I went there on Thursday, Nick and Mark were excellent on the night, but the new female waiter is just on par.

Perhaps go back there again during weekday and see if the service is still the same.

cheers
Rob