L'Alouette — Restaurant in Toulouse

The extremely good rating here is a little bewildering to me.

Overall value Me and my partner say it is overpiced and we probably wouldn't go here again (mainly due to the value).

Atmosphere This is more a bistro than a restaurant. They play bar-like up tempo music at a pretty loud level. The atmosphere feels rather restless and bubbly. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're looking to go out for a quite nice restaurant night out.

Food The food was a mixed experience for us. Starters: Duck pâté (14 Euros) Was served canned like you would buy it in a supermarket. Presentation-wise was a bit weird to start with. Ravioli (2 pieces) filled with fois gras (14 Euros) Were presented a bit nicer in some bowled plate.

Main dish scallops - 3 pieces (21 Euros) Was literally just the three scallops gratinéd with some cream on top. tuna tartar (24 Euros) Literally just a portion of tuna tartar in the middle of the plate. We could choose from three side dishes and went for mashed potatoes and mashed butternut pumpkin. The quantity of the mashed sides were plenty enough but the main dishes were REALLY tiny quantities considering the pricing!

Dessert We shared a Ganache au chocolat 7 Euros. Nicely presented, nice texture which literally melts in the mouth and quite tasty.

All in all the images here at Google show/suggest nicely composed plates with different items combined (proteins + sides together nicely arranged). This is entirely not what we experienced and therefore we were a bit disappointed.

Service Very friendly...

It's a charming restaurant with a few tables and a bar where you are served and tables in the terrace. It's best to rsvp ahead of time. We were there on Saturday for lunch, they were full. Service is prompt. I indicated my lactose allergy ahead of time when I made the reservation online. It's best to consult with the chef directly. I forgot to take a photo of the menu, there aren't many dishes, but each one was a temptation. However, most dishes were cooked with butter, and there are some with cream or milk. The chef recommended the cèpes (autumnal mushrooms) cooked with olive oil instead of butter. Well, it's the BEST cèpes which I have ever tasted in a restaurant! It was cooked to perfection, crunchy like I love my vegetables. With a balsamic sauce and a hint of dashi with bonito flakes on them. Divine! My partner had the "tripes," which was cooked in butter and wine sauce, so I couldn't taste it. I had the encornet stuffed with foie gras, mussels, and pistachios, absolutely delicious! The green salad, which accompanied the dish, was delicious, too. My partner had the St Jacques (scallops) with potatoes purée, which he said was delicious. A glass of Minervois red wine each. We were too full for desserts (I couldn't due to the lactose contents). Less than 50€ per person, which was reasonable for the location and the quality of the dishes! Will...

Dined at L’Alouette in Toulouse and had a very pleasant experience overall, thanks to its charming setting and quality service.

Pros: • Attentive service: The staff were welcoming and consistently attentive throughout the meal, contributing to a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. • Good food quality: The dishes were well-prepared and flavorful, showcasing solid culinary execution. • Lovely terrace setting: The outdoor seating area is nicely situated in a pedestrian zone near the market halls, making it a great spot to enjoy a meal in a lively yet relaxed environment. • Reasonable food pricing: Menu prices were fair and good value considering the location and quality.

Cons: • Small restrooms: The toilets felt undersized given the overall capacity of the restaurant, which could be inconvenient during busy periods. • Expensive wine list: While the food is well-priced, the cost of wine bottles seemed relatively high in comparison, which may stand out for guests ordering drinks.

Overall: L’Alouette offers a well-rounded dining experience in central Toulouse, with attentive service, enjoyable food, and a great terrace location. Just be mindful of the wine pricing and limited restroom space if you’re visiting...