French dining restaurant perfect for anniversaries.

While deciding where to celebrate my birthday, I chose Bistro de Yountville (Cheongdam, Seoul) because I was craving authentic French cuisine. It’s a renowned French restaurant in Cheongdam-dong, consistently listed in the Michelin Guide since 2019. I visited for a weekend lunch course.

 

Location

 

Space

The interior is cozy with a warm atmosphere, even more so than I had expected. While the space between tables is a bit narrow, it's a decent-sized restaurant that can accommodate large groups as well as individual guests. The red-toned decor made the place feel even more comfortable.

 

Menu 

Bistro de Yountville has little difference between its lunch and dinner menus, I recommend opting for the lunch course, which offers better value for money. If you choose the 3-course lunch menu, there are some main dishes you can't select. In that case, you can go with the classic course. We ordered one classic course and one 3-course lunch.

 

Appetizer

When you first sit down at Bistro de Yountville, a beautiful plate is placed on the table. It’s not a dish for food, but rather a welcome plate to greet guests. The plate is so pretty that I almost wished I had one at home. It set a positive tone from the start. Shortly after, truffle arancini and tuna pesto to spread on bread were served as appetizers. The seasoning was a bit strong, but since I’m not a fan of mild flavors, it was just right for me.

Bread, tuna pesto, and truffle arancini

 

French Onion Soup

 

Escargot

Lyonnaise Salad

For appetizers, I ordered French onion soup and escargot—both are some of my favorite French dishes, so I chose them without hesitation. And it was a choice I never regretted. The onion soup was thickly stewed and soaked into moist bread, while the escargot was simmered in basil butter with the shells removed, making it perfect for dipping into the bread. Even now, my mouth waters when I think of the flavors I tasted that day. The accompanying Lyonnaise salad, from the classic course, was a simple salad topped with bacon and poached eggs.

 

Main 1: Beef Bourguignon

For the main dish, I ordered Beef Bourguignon, which I absolutely love, and a Tenderloin steak both classic French delicacies. The Beef Bourguignon came with a simple pilaf, while the Tenderloin steak was served with truffle mashed potatoes. They mentioned that Beef Bourguignon isn’t usually on the menu, but you can still order it at no additional cost. From what I read in previous reviews, Coq au Vin is also available this way. It seems there are special dishes prepared by the chef, like "today's dish."

Personally, after watching the movie Julie and Julia, my fascination with Beef Bourguignon, so I try to order it at every French restaurant I visit. And I must say, Bistro de Yountville’s Beef Bourguignon was the best I’ve ever had. The meat was incredibly tender, and the broth, made from slow-cooked meat without the acidity of wine, was rich and comforting. Each bite felt like a warm hug. It was the perfect dish for a cold day. If Beef Bourguignon is on the menu when you visit, make sure to order it.

 

Main2: Tenderloin steak with truffle and foie gras

A steak featuring three major delicacies, excluding caviar—how could I not order it? The main reason I chose the classic course was to try the tenderloin steak with truffle and foie gras. Unfortunately, this dish isn’t available on the 3-course lunch menu, but I was extremely satisfied with my choice. The foie gras on top of the tenderloin steak, paired with the truffle, was truly a masterpiece. The aroma of the truffle was unmistakable, and its flavor was even more pronounced in the accompanying mashed potatoes. The foie gras and steak complemented each other perfectly. This combination felt unique to Bistro de Yountville, which made the meal even more special.

In particular, I know that foie gras is difficult to obtain in Korea due to legal restrictions. If it becomes even more challenging to find, this dish may disappear from the menu entirely. So, if you get the chance, I highly recommend ordering it when you visit.

 

Tea: Te du Louvre, Paris for Her

After you finish your meal, you can choose between coffee or tea. When choosing a tea, you can choose a tea bag from the tea box. As a tea lover, this tea box was a very coveted item. The teas I picked on this day were Te du louvre and Paris for her. Te du louvre had a good combination of citrus flavor and black tea, Paris for her was a tea with a rose scent in green tea and the floral scent blends seamlessly with green tea, so even those who struggle with flavored tea could drink it without any hesitation.

 

Dessert: Crumble, Vanilla Milfeuille (feat. Anniversary offer)

The desserts were Crème Brûlée and Vanilla Mille-Feuille. Both were lightly sweet, making them the perfect way to end the meal on a smooth note. As always, Crème Brûlée is a joy to eat with a spoon. The Vanilla Mille-Feuille, though a bit tricky to eat, was thoughtfully cut in half by the waiter after we had taken all our pictures.

The anniversary offer was particularly impressive. The personalized touches, including a dessert (two mini madeleines), a Polaroid photo, and a music box playing Beauty and the Beast, were a delightful surprise. Experiencing such thoughtful anniversary celebrations in an atmosphere I loved made the day truly unforgettable and filled with joy.

 

Conclusion

A place where you can truly savor traditional French cuisine. Visiting for an anniversary guarantees a memorable and joyful experience.

Bistro de Yountville isn’t just a place to enjoy traditional French cuisine; it also offers a perfect setting for creating a memorable anniversary atmosphere. If you’re looking for a special spot to celebrate, we highly recommend a visit.

 

Address : 13-7, Seolleung-ro 158-gil, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul OPEN GOOGLE MAP

Phone : +82-02-541-1550

Operation Hours : Monday-Sunday : 11:30 - 22:00 (Break time 15:00 - 18:00)

Menu : Lunch 3 course 65,000 / Lunch 4 course 95,000 / Dinner 3 course 110,000

Instagram : Check out more images

Reservation : Click here for reservation

 

Source : https://brunch.co.kr/@teabagbox/106

Writer : Park seyoung

Special thanks to Park seyoung

 

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