Restaurant Engalin

Brilliant.


Up a small hill just outside the village of Mauvezin, Chateau Engalin is a very modern and elegant restaurant. It had only been open for about 2 months when I was here two days ago, but they seem to be doing well.


There's lots of big, open outdoor seating - settees along one side, a nice touch - with large shading parasols. It's modern, black and white, but with a few nice older-looking touches (wrought iron wall fixtures, for example). Inside is relaxed and even more modern.


The menu has the local Gers fundamentals: duck, beef, and veg. But they also have slightly more unusual touches like lemon razor clams.


My four companions all proclaimed their meals to be excellent from starter to wine to dessert. Unfortunately I had fallen quite ill on the way to the restaurant and wasn't able to eat. But the owner, seeing my plight, was kind enough to let me out back to lay down on a sofa until I recovered. He was as funny as he was nice, too.


I'll admit that I probably got preferential treatment because I attended with some friends of the owner. But that doesn't change the fact that the restaurant is gorgeous, and the food really smartly put together. Very classy.


Entrees around EUR11, mains around EUR15.


Note it's closed Monday evenings and all day Tuesdays.