MYANMORE REVIEW OF LE PLANTEUR
By Bob Percival
WHAT IT IS:
Le Planteur is the best fine dining restaurant in Myanmar. It specialises in the best French cuisine brought to you by courtesy of Chef Gil who learnt from Michelin Stars French Chefs, from the Fouquet’s, the Hotel de Crillon at the Ambassadeurs, (a 2 stars at the Michelin Guide), and ten years at the Grand Hotel Intercontinental, Paris. He has most recently arrived from the French Caribbean island of Saint Martin as Executive Chef and F&B Director for Belmond La Samanna. On the night of our visit, ,Ms Emma Cipriani, the Operations Manager, was the perfect host.
ATMOSPHERE
Le Planteur is also the best fine dining experience in this country. Set in a classic 1930s colonial building and expansive outdoor gardens, from arrival to departure dining here is a total escape from the hustle and bustle of Yangon. Set beside Inya Lake, we were able to sit under the full moon, looking out over an intimate water view, sans pagodas, the only sounds being ambient Moroccan style music, and the delightful honking the household geese. The service is friendly, attentive and knowledgeable, with complete attention to detail. Highly recommended for dining out at night, after a hot Yangon day.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Ultimately though the restaurant is about the food. The a la carte menu provides lots of choice. It ranges across vegetarian, seafood and meat dishes. The wine lsit is extensive and even the most expensive wines can be purchased by the glass – we settled on an excellent Attems Pinot Grigios 2014. For appetisers we started with the Seared Foie Gras with Vinegar Sauce and Sweet Potato Puree (US$24), perfectly cooked and exploding in the mouth with its exquisite unique flavor, For some people the ultimate food experience. We also had the Red Tuna Sashimi & Tartar with Wasabi Ice Cream (US$28), a great combination, the tuna melting in the mouth with the unexpected incursion of wasabi.
For main we ordered the French Duck Breast with Red Boise Sauce and Glazed Vegetables and Crepe (US$45), again all the flavours combining well, with the meat tender and juicy. The other main dish was the signature Tajima Wagyu Beef Striploin with Truffled Polenta, Asparagua an d Black Truffle (US$64), a generous serving perfectly cooked Wagyu, that needs to be at least medium rare, to enjoy its texture and flavour.
We finished the night’s dining with the Grand Marnier Souffle with Orange Salad (US$16), light and sweet, and a Variation of Swiss Chocolate Deserts, decadent and rich in taste.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Le Planteur is an expensive fine dining experience. Its price is only justified through the sheer quality of its food, service and ambience. Le Planteur a restaurant were you have to leave behind your preconceptions and allow yourself to fully enjoy the delight of an epicurean experience that you will never forget. There is now a new March menu on offer, including a special Fish menu and Vegetarian menu.
Address: 80 University Avenue | Bahan Township, Yangon
Phone: 01514230
Opening Hours: 11:30am to 12am.
Food 10
Atmosphere 10
Service 10
