Le Bistrot Sustainable Cuisine – Le Meridien, Abu Dhabi

Le Méridien Abu Dhabi holds a secret. His name is Thierry Gallas, a frenchman whose skills in the kitchen were mastered at Avignon’s prestigious culinary school. Ah, Avignon, the alternate papal seat during the reign of Pope Clement V from 1309 and onwards for a century: my very faourite part of history, those moody Dark Ages. But enough of this talk of the Holy Roman Empire and its mad Popes; lets simmer with sustainable cuisine…

Le Bistrot @ Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Sustainable Cuisine Menu Board: f/4; 1/80sec; ISO-100

Le Bistrot @ Le Meridien Abu Dhabi Sustainable Cuisine Menu Board: f/4; 1/80sec; ISO-100

A culinary gem, Le Bistrot, tucked away in Le Meridien’s sunny courtyard whose pavings lead the guest straight from restaurant to beach, offers a modern international cuisine with a French twist, and produce is sourced, to my great thrill, sustainably.

Organic Garden @ Le Bistrot's Sustainable Cuisine: /5.3; 1/20sec; ISO-100

Organic Garden @ Le Bistrot’s Sustainable Cuisine: /5.3; 1/20sec; ISO-100

Les entrées had me salivating from the get-go. Once I read the Sustainable Cuisine Menu, I was hooked. How can I go past seafood as an option? Le Bistrot uses fish supported by Choose Wisely Program, initiated by Emirates Wildlife Society, in association with World Wildlife Fund. The decision was made: Confit of gulf prawns with sweet tomatoes fillets, fresh garden greens, tomato and olive oil dressing, white tomato foam, fresh thyme…

Giant Prawn Starters @ Le Bistrot's Sustainable Cuisine: f/4; 1/125sec; ISO-100

Giant Prawn Starters @ Le Bistrot’s Sustainable Cuisine: f/4; 1/125sec; ISO-100

A post-prandial hour later, dapper waiters bring out Les Plats. Main course tonight is pan-roasted yanam fillet with fennel and potato brandade, sweet red pepper emulsion, fresh basil and olive dust, while my dining patner Rhiannon tucked into Pan-fried fillet of pink ear emperor fish, season with sesame comasio, braised potato and fresh rocket leaves…

Pink ear emperor Main @ Le Bistrot, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi: f/4; 1/125sec; ISO-100

Pink ear emperor Main @ Le Bistrot, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi: f/4; 1/125sec; ISO-100

Is there room in the belly for dessert? Does such a question even come into play when Chef Thierry comes out of his kitchen, and pays us a visit at our table, insisting we apportion some taste-bud time to his sweet confections? My choice (and gladly): poached strawberries, grilled seville orange salad flavoured with rosewater and yoghurt sorbet…

Le sorbet citron Dessert @ Le Bistrot, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi: f/4; 1/125sec; ISO-100

Le sorbet citron Dessert @ Le Bistrot, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi: f/4; 1/125sec; ISO-100

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