Le Beaulieu

Edibles Aug 20, 2014

I had heard so many amazing things about Le Beaulieu from my co-star Charina that I just had to find an excuse to try it as soon as possible. An overdue girls night was the perfect reason- although I would highly recommend this cozy restaurant for a romantic date night as well. I’ve also heard that the weekend brunch is amazing- looks like I’ll have to find another excuse soon (:

The sleek modern decor of Le Beaulieu is no implication of the food. Chef Hervé creates dishes that are simple but complex with layer after layer of flavor. As a classically trained French chef he has cooked in kitchens all over the world. “Hervé possesses a true understanding of what drives French cuisine, a cooking that respects ingredients filled with emotional connections: memories of a family cooking together, eating seasonal fresh food, and experiences from around the world. When using fresh ingredients, simple cooking and an appreciation for the seasonal availability is Hervé’s tour de force.” And I really couldn’t have put that better myself.

We started with the razor clams (which I would usually never order but when a place is well known for something, like it or not, I will order it to find out for myself). They were perfectly cooked, soft but not chewy, and in a delicious garlicky, butter, pesto (Café De Paris) sauce that freshened up nicely with a squeeze of fresh lemon. Then they brought out the white asparagus in mousseline sauce and oh my asparagus heaven. I’ve never cooked white asparagus but I make green asparagus all the time. This asparagus was that asparagus’s plump perfectly almost crunchy yummy cousin that was smothered in that creamy cheesy sauce that you see… I could’ve eaten the whole plate by myself. Everyday. NThe entrees began to appear one by one starting with the dover sole (again not something I usually order but Charina raved about it so I just had to give it a try & it was so so good). Delicately cooked dover sole with ratté potatoes & a meuière sauce. I loved the presentation as well with the fish skeleton presenting the dish almost like an abstract work of art- I’ve always loved food presentation.
Our next entree was the baby bresse chicken with ratte potatoes & rosemary jus. Like I said before- so simple but so complex. The chicken was moist and practically falling apart, almost buttery with rosemary after notes.Now this, this last entree was my absolute favorite dish of the night: the beef short rib 24H with a shallot red wine reduction. I had just recently come off my 3 months of eating vegetarian so you could almost argue that my taste may have been compromised but honestly, this short rib was the best I’ve ever had EVER in my life EVER EVER. Succulent and practically melting in your mouth, my only regret is that I didn’t eat more of it- is still hand’t rebuilt up my “tolerance & taste” for beef- but GOD WAS IT GOOD.
And finally, dessert. Oh the options, the options! Le Beaulieu is also well known for their beautiful French Patisserie so you know we had a tough decision ahead of us. We ended up choosing profiteroles with chocolate ice cream & the millefeulle with vanilla ice cream- the latter being my favorite is the buttery crisp pastry layers perfectly juxtaposed with the thick vanilla bean pastry cream.
All in all an amazing night. Delicious food, wonderful wine, & some of my favorite company (: I can’t wait to go back to try their brunch or maybe even just swing by for coffee and a treat. If you find yourself in need of a location for your next date night or lovely night out, definitely look to Le Beaulieu.
You can find Le Beaulieu in the lobby of the Athénée Office Tower, within 3-minute walk from BTS Ploenchit station. If you are driving, you can easily access Le Beaulieu through Ruamrudee or Wireless road. They have unlimited free parking at the basement of the tower.