Bordeaux Dining | A Country Feast with Old Friends

The Marché des Capucins in the city center is a must-visit every time I’m in Bordeaux. This time, I had dinner planned with a friend near Capucins Square. When we arrived at the restaurant Au Bistrot at 7 PM sharp, there was already a line of about 10 people waiting to get in. It seemed like everyone was eager to get a table as soon as the doors opened. 🕒 After the rain, Bordeaux felt cold to the bone. Through the window, I could see the long bar inside the restaurant filled with orange and red cast-iron casseroles. The steam rising from the pots was illuminated by the warm light, making the cold outside even more unbearable. Once inside, we were seated in the back room, which filled up almost instantly, including the bar, as soon as the restaurant opened. 🌧️ This is a "local spot" kind of restaurant—the perfect choice for gatherings with old neighbors and friends. In no time, every table was filled with clinking glasses and joyful laughter, so everyone naturally had to speak louder, making the atmosphere even more lively. 🥂 The one-page menu changes slightly with the seasons but focuses on traditional southwestern French country dishes. They’re not fancy or pretentious, with almost no plating, but each dish has its own unique flavor. Mimosa, duck breast, pork pâté, and tripe sausage are all specialties and incredibly delicious with wine. 🍽️ It was funny to do a blind tasting using a carafe for the first time. Francois de Nicolay is a négociant for Chandon de Briailles. They source organic grapes from familiar growers and bring them back to their cellar in Savigny-les-Beaune to ferment and age. This Aligoté was quite good—crisp and savory. Although the finish was a bit short, it was definitely a memorable wine. 🍷 For wine lovers, 2016 is a special vintage, especially for those who adore Clos Rougeard. It was the last vintage made by the Foucault family before they passed the torch. Although it hasn’t reached its drinking window yet and only began to open up towards the end of the meal, its astonishing texture was still palpable. This is something that doesn’t change whether the wine is young or mature—it’s almost like a character. The elegance and richness of Cabernet Franc, combined with its acidity, fullness, juiciness, and savory notes, make this wine even more poignant, given the estate’s transition. As humans, our taste buds and emotional resonance always go hand in hand, don’t they? 💫 After a satisfying meal and plenty of wine, the cocottes on the bar were mostly empty. The rosy cheeks on people’s faces were unclear whether from the wine or the reflection of the pots, but it all felt very warm. 😊 📍 AU BISTROT #MyGourmetElectronicFamily #France #Bordeaux #FoodInTravel #ElectronicHomie #MarionEats #HealingFood #Wine #FoodAndWinePairing #WineLovers