La Table du Lavoir Restaurant Review: Cosy Winter Dining in Martillac-Bordeaux, France

You know, some restaurants just have it all. Charm, excellent food, beautiful service and cosy interiors – without any stuffiness or complicated menus. That’s what I love about my newest discovery – La Table du Lavoir in Martillac-Bordeaux. Located inside the stunning Les Sources de Caudalie, it has all of that and more. Oozing charm, gastronomic flare and not to mention how incredibly romantic it is inside. It’s feels as though it’s been plucked straight out of a Christmas story book. Perfect for our visit in Winter.

Wine is everywhere in the restaurant. It’s on the floors in first growth wine boxes, it’s open on the sommeliers table, being poured into every available glass and showing off in the wine cellar at the entrance. One wine you must order when eating here is that from the neighbouring Château Smith Haut Lafitte, owned by the same family as the hotel and regarded as one of the best wines in the world. Drinking this wine in its home here, makes it somehow taste even better than I remember.

A three course set menu starts at approximately 34 euros which for the quality and utter indulgence – it’s a bit of a bargain. One of my favourite dishes from the entire meal was actually one of the most simplest – salmon rillettes with a chef ’s garden sorrel and crisp tuile biscuit topping. Full of flavour and full of freshness. Our other starter I really had no idea what exactly I was eating and it was rather new to me, but every bit as enjoyable. A flaky pastry base, with layers of caramelised onions, whole grain mustard and a topping of thick and meaty ham. To sum it up – it was very French and very delicious.

Main courses continued with that oh-so French richness, butter and calories. One dish you’ll see a lot of in Bordeaux is duck magret. It’s the meat that comes from a duck which has been reared for foie gras, meaning for a meaty and tender breast which cuts through like butter and the most crisp skin you’re likely to come across. The onion rings topping was perfect too, as was the side of crispy potatoes. If duck isn’t your thing then the crispy pork, served with a wedge of fried polenta and celeriac puree will be. Another of those dishes which had you letting out a small cry of enjoyment with every bite.

Admittedly we struggled with desserts, given how rich and generous the portions were – but of course we really couldn’t resist. A slice of lemon tart had the most beautiful buttery pastry base to it and the lemon filling had just the right tartness, with a meringue so light it was like eating a small cloud. No visit to France could be enjoyed without delving into an offering of tarte tatin and I think this may well be the best example I’ve ever eaten. The base was again oh-so buttery and flaky, with the apple topping encased in a sort or caramel and apple sugar jelly, complimented by a scoop of ice cream and thick cream. It was utter heaven.

Our meal at La Table du Lavoir really was a meal we’ll never forget. A menu encompassing almost all of my favourite ingredients, in a restaurant which looked incredibly festive during winter and serves a wine list of dreams. Would we come back? In a heartbeat. This wasn’t just a meal, but an experience into honest French cooking. My only problem now is questioning how I’ll survive back the UK without all of these comfort foods. Solution – I’ll just have to return a little sooner.

NB: I was invited to review and elements of my meal was complimentary. All views are as always, my own. My views are not influenced by anyone other than my own palate and slightly poor eyesight.