Les Jardins de l'Opéra - Stéphane Tournié — Restaurant in Toulouse

Les jardins de l’Opéra - Stéphane Tournié - Highlighting gastronomy through taste

It is a stone's throw from the Capitole in Toulouse, in a beautiful interior courtyard, under a large Belle-Epoque glass roof, in a serene calm a few meters from all the city activity, that the great chef Stéphane Tournié has settled for several years already. There is an atmosphere like no other, made up of calm, discreet luxury and well-being, which fits perfectly with the cuisine of Stéphane Tournié. It was in 2006 that he took up the challenge of relaunching les jardins de l’Opéra in Toulouse. This gourmet restaurant previously linked to the Grand hotel de l’opera nearby was looking for a new start. New decor, new kitchen, both imbued with elegance, luxury and chic simplicity. Chef Stéphane Tournié, Michelin-starred in 2012, has the audacity to be discreet. Unexpected marriages, unusual flavors, always with great respect for food and their flavors. His cuisine is modern, creative, gastronomic, but also, and above all, authentic and focused on taste rather than the visual. Refinement is as evident in the mouth as it is in the eye, but expects taste surprises rather than bursts of color. Isn't that what cooking is above all?

I experienced at the Jardins de l’Opéra a sublimation of common and more surprising products, a gradation of dishes on several aspects, an emphasis on the tradition of the South West and a complete mastery on the part of the kitchen and service. Stéphane Tournié goes to basics and does it well, his table is a sure bet and a tribute to a cuisine that he likes, personally. You just have to take a moment to chat with him, whom I had the honor of, to understand a quiet but honest passion. Behind this meticulous and careful work, rewarded certainly, hides a joy and...

Overall a very nice meal, my wife and I got a voucher for le.jardin de l'opéra. We decided to go for the testing menu and the pairing wine and dish. On the negative side: -Booked for 20.00 and the restaurant wasn't open yet, we had to wait a couple of minutes so some open the door despite the confirmation email. the lady that greeted us was tense and we didn't feel particularly welcome. But she seems to relax after a will. didn't wait for my wife to come back from the lady's room before bringing the course. Not accessible at that level. Had to ask to wait, by chance she arrived just in time. had to ask for a break, the course was coming out very fast. The testing menu didn't include cheese but still they are trying to sell it to you for 20 euros per person and that a choice of only 3 cheeses. Inacceptable at that level especially with a testing menu. mistake on the bill, didn't take into consideration the voucher we got as a present. Once again not acceptable at that level. There were only 4 tables in the restaurant all night for 6 waiting staff, can't say that they were overworked. For the positive side: -The menu was fantastic, the win picked for every course was perfect, especially for the chocolate dessert. The sweet breads are unbelievable. Congratulations to the sommelier. the younger waiting staff was very good, much more relaxed. I would like to point out that I am from a catering background, 20 years in Michelin star restaurants. I can say that I give a fair...

The food was decent, but I expected something more refined and creative from a Michelin one-star restaurant.

Unfortunately, the service was truly disappointing. The woman serving our table seemed visibly annoyed—sighing, not smiling, and showing no warmth or professionalism.

The restaurant is also extremely inflexible when it comes to dietary restrictions. My wife has a seafood allergy, and their only solution was to remove the seafood from her dish without offering any substitute. Since they serve a surprise tasting menu, you don’t get to see what you’re eating beforehand—and they make no effort to accommodate special requests or allergies. That’s unacceptable at this level of dining.

To make matters worse, when I asked for a small box to take home the chocolates we didn’t eat, they told me they had nothing available, claiming their customers “don’t take food home.” I suppose that means I’m not considered a real customer? The chocolates were served on a small, cheap wooden tray, which clearly wasn’t meant for reuse. So I took it with me.

To my surprise, about five minutes later, the same server came looking for me on the street to demand the return of the tray—without offering any way for me to take the chocolates home.

Shame on them for such poor service and lack of hospitality. This is not the experience one expects from a...