December 2023
Dining Review: UTOPIE – Gueberschwihr, France
I found UTOPIE planning our first trip to Strasbourg in December 2022 that we had to cancel and at the time, UTOPIE was doing a limited series in Strasbourg before moving to the countryside. I knew I wanted to dine here when we rescheduled our trip in December 2023 but getting there proved to be quite a challenge.
UTOPIE moved to the Alsace countryside town of Gueberschwihr. Unfortunately, public transit was not a viable option from Strasbourg but when we decided to visit Colmar for a day trip, we were within a fifteen minute drive to Gueberschwihr. I contacted multiple taxi and car companies and no one accepted my request for this transfer to and from the Colmar train station. And this situation was complicated by the fact that we had to be back at the train station prior to the last train to Strasbourg leaving. While I figured we could easily get a taxi the day of to take us to Gueberschwihr, I had no confidence of finding a way back to Colmar after the meal. After what felt like contacting every car service and taxi company in Colmar, I finally found a company to agree to take us from Colmar train station to UTOPIE and a return trip as well.
To say I was nervous was an understatement – I did not want us to get stuck Gueberschwihr very late at night – all for us to have this one meal. But, a pilgrimage like this into the countryside did that the promise of being the best meal of the trip.
We arrived at our 7PM reservation and we were the first to arrive. The restaurant was small with less than ten tables and for a fine dining experience gave off casual vibes which we loved. Since we were here in the middle of the week, I wondered if we would be the only ones here – especially given how cumbersome it was to get here. As the night went on, the restaurant had all the tables full and all I could wonder – and honestly wanted to ask – is how everyone else got here! It was clear we were the only English speakers so potentially everyone else was more local to the area. From where we sat, I could peek into the kitchen and see the action which is always so fun.
We opted for the wine pairings of 44 euro to go alongside our tasting menu of seven courses for 72 euro. The menu changes frequently to match what is in season and fresh. As for tasting menu notes, mine are not as detailed as usual for this meal between enjoying ourselves and having translation between French to English that was difficult to remember. But what I will say, I do remember how everything tasted.
Amuse Bouche
A series of small dishes that packed a mighty flavor. Everything was delicious with a particular shout out to the fried potato puff which was super soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside finished off with grated cheese and crispy prosciutto on top.
Beets two ways
We love beets and these two dishes showcased beets two ways. The one that was a sandwich really stunned us. The bread was so sweet and soft brioche with the beets and cheese on the inside and it was such an amazing dish.
Main Dishes
Wow, these next four dishes were exceptional!
- Onions with fondue – Our favorite dish of the night, plate licking goodness. Like a deconstructed French onion soup where the onions are reduced down a tremendous amount, and the sauce is thick. It was incredible. We sopped up all the delicious sauce with bread so the plate was clean. We were told this was the first night they showcased this dish and what a home run it was.
- Scallop with wilted greens in a scallop sauce – This dish reminded me of a seafood bisque which reminded me of a bisque, so tasty. The scallop was sweet and succulent and once again, the sauce was like the plate good.
- The third dish Kevin and I both struggled to recall and it was not because it was not memorable but because we both missed it when the server was explaining it. This had a chicken stock around what we think was a blood sausage. It was very savory and the time when our wine switched from white to red.
- Pigeon – The main entree for the evening was pigeon and it was very well prepared. The reduction that the dish was served in was, once again – you guesses it – plate licking good. I am not sure what the pigeon was wrapped in but the dish overall was very delicious.
Desserts
- Tea made with guava-like fruit using mulled wine style. It was non-alcoholic and so incredibly good. It bothers me so much that I cannot recall the exact fruit that was used!
- Short bread with the guava-like fruit from the tea. One bite and Kevin and I both looked at each other amazed by how delicious this dish was. Definitely one of our favorites from the evening.
- Christmas bread, chocolate ganache, toasted marshmallow – This was an adult smore and it worked so well. The graham cracker was the Christmas bread which was a spiced bread and with the chocolate ganache and toasted marshmallow, get out of here! An amazing dessert.
- Alsace cookies – To end the night, we were served an assortment of traditional Alsace cookies, the perfect way to end our evening.
After going back and forth trying to figure out if making this out of the way journey just for a meal was worth it, we were happy to confidently say it was and we would do it all over again. The entire experience was so wonderful and it was definitely our favorite meal of the trip. And when we were done with our meal, our taxi driver was waiting for us and got us back to the Colmar train station with plenty of time for our train back to Strasbourg. If you are able to fit it into your schedule, when visiting Alsace definitely prioritize dinner at UTOPIE.