The French-themed chain has had a revamp, including an Anglicised take on a Gallic classic.
Oh la la! French restaurant chain Café Rouge has revamped its menu to include snails for the first time.
Its Ragoût D'escargots is an Anglicised version of the French dish, coming as it does with a pastry lid which means it’s more snail pie than snail stew. However, it’s still a fairly daring step from a chain that clearly feels it needs to be a bit braver.
Café Rouge has even appointed a snail sommelier to maintain quality in a bid to try to persuade more of us to try this ‘superfood’, as they’re rich in protein, iron and Omega-3.
Not being squeamish when it comes to snails, I popped along to my local restaurant to give the Ragoût, and some other items on the menu, a taste test.
Changing tastes
The first thought that enters my head as I enter the restaurant is I can’t remember the last time I went into a Café Rouge. Like so many chain restaurants, I acknowledge their existence but don’t see them as serving a particular food need of mine.
Yet a few hours later my opinion has changed. A perfectly crispy confit of duck and a tender Breton chicken supreme both deliver on authenticity and taste.
As for the snails? Well I would have preferred the whole hog with shells, swimming in garlic butter, and with a two-pronged fork for extraction, but I guess the perception is that would be too much for many people.
Sans shells, the snails are disguised beneath the crust and among mushrooms in a strong and thick garlic and truffle oil sauce. It’s a perfectly good dish but it could be a bit riskier. There’s baked Camembert and pate for those who want it play it safe.
Overall though my meal reawakened me to the fact that Café Rouge does have something very different to offer, albeit at the pricier end of the chain spectrum. So next time you’re on your high street or in a huge shopping mall and you fancy a meal, instead of popping into the gourmet burger joint why not give this twist on French food a try? You might be surprised.
Are you a fan of Cafe Rouge? Would you give its snail dish a try? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments below.
You might also enjoy:
Would you ever be happy to pay up front for a meal out?