Le Volant Basque -- Restaurant Review

 

For information, directions and to make reservations, their website is: https://levolantbasque.fr/en

Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor € = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

3 - star ...........................€€€.......................................... 1-🔔 

(Note: Regarding noise level, we dined alfresco)

After a long time apart due to various circumstances, we finally caught up with our close friends Beth, Steve and Lauren. I chose Le Volant Basque for the occasion—partly because it’s not far from where we live, and partly because I had never been.

The restaurant specializes in offal, though only JJ ventured into that territory by ordering the calf’s kidney.

Le Volant Basque is a typical French bistro. We chose to sit outside and enjoy the warm, beautiful evening. The restaurant doesn’t open until 7 p.m., so we made reservations for that time, as our friend preferred an earlier dinner.

The menu is presented on a board and includes some dishes that may be a bit adventurous for some—like oxtail, liver, and sweetbreads. However, they also offer more familiar fare such as steak. Notably, the menu is divided into two sections: regular staples and offal.

I will be reviewing dishes that I had 

Note: peanuts were provided with our aperitifs. 

Entrée

Oxtail terrine with lentils. To be honest, this dish was underwhelming. The terrine lacked any distinctive flavor — you wouldn’t have known it was oxtail. The aspic was overly chewy, and the lentils were uninspired. It was served cold, seemingly straight from the fridge, without being brought to room temperature. As we know, cold dishes need to be aggressively seasoned to avoid blandness, and this one wasn’t. Overall, a forgettable dish.

Grilled sea bass fillet with ginger. Since I’m on a restricted diet, I passed on the liver and chose the fish instead. Sometimes, simplicity hits the spot. The sea bass was filleted, perfectly cooked, and tender. It wasn’t heavily seasoned, but the crispy ginger and a squeeze of lemon added just enough flavor to lift it. A solid dish, though not especially exciting.

Our dishes came accompanied with smooth polenta, pureed potatoes and rice. I thought the sides very really good. 

Chocolate Mousse. I decided to treat myself to the chocolate mousse. It was delicious—creamy, indulgent, and intensely rich. So rich, in fact, that I couldn't finish it on my own and ended up sharing it with my friends."

Villa du Golfe Rosé is a Mediterranean-style rosé wine, often associated with the Provence region of France. While specific vintages may vary slightly, here are general tasting notes you can expect:

Pale salmon pink with bright, luminous reflections. 

Fresh and delicate bouquet of red berries (strawberries, raspberries)

Hints of white peach, citrus zest, and subtle floral notes (like rose petals or lavender)

Touch of minerality typical of coastal Mediterranean wines

Light to medium-bodied,  Crisp acidity and refreshing mouthfeel. Flavors mirror the nose: ripe red fruits, citrus, and a faint touch of melon or herbs de Provence. Dry finish with a clean, slightly saline minerality. Ideal with grilled seafood, salads, goat cheese, charcuterie, or as a standalone aperitif on a warm day

SUMMARY 

If you're looking for bold, inventive cooking, this isn't the place. It’s a neighborhood restaurant serving hearty, rustic meals reminiscent of peasant or farmhouse fare. The menu is heavily meat-centric, with vegetables used mostly as garnish. They specialize in offal, though they also offer some traditional French dishes. One dish we’d steer clear of is the Boeuf Bourguignon — while flavorful, our friend noted it was excessively greasy, with the meat floating in fat, and it had no vegetables in it.

That said, the side dishes were excellent, and the service was exceptional, even on a very busy Friday night. I bumped up my review by .25 because of the excellent service. And JJ was excited that they had Irouleguy wines, both by bottle and glasses!

Would I return? Honestly, probably not. While the food was simple and competent, nothing stood out enough to draw me back.

For 4-entrees, 5-plats, 2-desserts, 2-glasses of wine, 2-bottles of Rosé, 1-25cl red wine, 1-perrier, 2-desserts. Our total bill came to €252 or €50.40 per person. Please note they do have a prix-fixe menu.