Chez Château - Esquiule
Chez Château
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Chez Chateau is the real deal for the local Basque and South West Pyrenean cooking set in a family restaurant in the heart of an old village by the imposing church. The focus here is on hearty high quality ingredients, well cooked with no concerns about plenty of butter/cream/oil in the cooking. From a new take on the local garboure soup with chestnuts for our entree in the 4 course +3 entre plats) menu to the fresh pa fried foie gras and on to fried lamb sweetbreads with cepes or the sole wrapped around a coquille saint jacque with a mushroom and mussel sauce this meal was a delight, but do come hungry! The highlight for me was the incredible fresh fois gras served with mango and an amazing sauce see photo. The only mediocre course was desert, the rum baba and chocolate deserts were not notable. The atmosphere is intimate and traditional old fashioned local country style see photos. Very few covers so book ahead. Service was very friendly but a bit slow on the day we visited due to a large function being held in the large add on room at the back of the restaurant so a slightly long service can be forgiven, especially as there were 7 items served to us.
Hidden away, this is a real find. On entry it looks like a workmens bar and restauraunt, and they do serve the meal of the day here for local artisans, but; pass through the bar and ask for a table and you will be treated to great decor, tablecloths, napkins and a great menu and wine list. This is a great place to go for a special meal, so be sure to book ahead. It offers high clss meals, beautifully presneted, without going too over the top. trying too hard to creat something unique and making the food look as if it is modern art, rather than a meal.
They had 2 menus one at 20 € and other at 34€ which is quite a big difference in price. I chose the more expensive one and thought mystarter was good with excellent sauce , and the main of veal very nice. Other half had 3 grilled small trout as starter ( pretty good option for a cheapish menu) and then what turned out to be a homemade burger but with brebis cheese and various extras which was a bit weird for this region. Overall had slightly mixed feelings about this place. Understand it used to be much more fine dining, perhaps with the economic downturn they are trying to find a price point that works in teh local market
Surpris repas de fin d'année avec les collègues de boulot invité par l'établissement nous sommes bien une bonne quinzaine ont attaquent l'apéro je me sens mal a cause de la route je demande de quoi grignoter avec, style cacahuète ils n'en ont pas bon tempis ensuite le repas d'un délice certe découverte,dégustation,oser le mélange de certains aliments nouveau goût dans la bouche ,belle présentation mais....quel dommage le service trop trop rapide entre chaque plats tout juste le temps de finir que l'ont passent au suivant,accumulation de tous ces petits plats sur l'estomac nous sommes bien une dizaine a le remarquer que le service est trés rapide quel dommage pourtant ont tardent au digestif les serveurs attendent devant nous l'impression de devoir ce dépêcher pourtant il reste une ou deux tables pas sure d'y revenir malgré la réputation
Si vous allez Chez Château, sachez que les portions sont faites pour des rugbymans ou des joueurs de pelote basque : elles sont copieuses ! Je vous recommande la morue Amani, c'est une recette traditionnelle des fêtes de pâques nous a expliqué le chef Jean-Bernard Hourçourigaray, qui prend soin de ses clients en venant les voir dans la salle. L'omelette aux cèpes est superbe à déguster sans modération. On a eu droit a des petites mises en bouche originales et même si on ne prend pas de dessert : on nous en offre un c'est comme ça Chez Château ! Je vous conseille les menus pour découvrir cette cuisine familiale.
