Off the Beaten Path - The ‘French Corner’ of Turks and Caicos

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

THE ‘FRENCH CORNER’ OF TURKS AND CAICOS

Le Bouchon

Le Bouchon - Steak au Poivre

By David Newlands Photographs courtesy of www.WhereWhenHow.com

Ambiance is everything – when looking for an ideal, high-end dining experience, it is easy to be deceived into thinking the best options are the luxurious steak houses and lavish restaurants located in one of the many resorts on island, but visitors to Turks and Caicos have other options off the beaten path. Fine dining in Turks and Caicos is often an indoor affair, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more romantic setting than a sidewalk table under the stars in France and Italy. Most will be surprised to find that Providenciales has its own romantic European-styled establishments tucked away in the Regent Village. Located off the main road in Grace Bay, hidden away from the prying eyes of passers-by on the main street, visitors and locals alike have found themselves seemingly transported to the winding streets of Paris when they dine at ‘Le Bouchon Du Village’ and ‘Le Comptoir Francais’, respectively.

Opened in 2012 by Julien and Pierrik Marziou, this dining experience offers a unique blend of traditional French cuisine and local fare that is cooked with the excellence and love that can only be found in a French kitchen. Originally the owners of another iconic local restaurant, Caicos Café, the Marziou family decided to bring a more authentic French experience to the streets of Turks and Caicos. Designed in the style of a traditional French bistro and café, most of the dining is outdoors where guests find themselves surrounded by overhead string light fixtures, an abundance of vibrant plants, repurposed wine barrels and other classic French décor.

Le Bouchon - Conch Burger

While other fine dining establishments tend to be indoors with a focus on opulent decorations and a white tablecloth setting, Le Bouchon and Le Comptoir offer a more relaxed dining experience, providing excellent quality food while boasting an easy going, unpretentious atmosphere that is shared by Europeans and people of the Caribbean.

Of the two restaurants, Le Bouchon focuses more on the bistro aspect of the dining experience, offering guests a range of traditional French fare, such as escargot, steak au poivre, magret de canard (duck breast), confit de canard (duck thigh) and fois gras. They also offer world-class preparations of local favourites such as grouper, snapper, lobster, conch ceviche and wahoo ceviche. If these options weren’t enough, and you wanted to go above and beyond to impress your dinner date, you can indulge in luxury dishes such as caviar, truffle pasta, tomahawk steaks and racks of lamb. All these items are displayed not on the classic menu books, but rather a traditional French bistro menu, commonly referred to as a well-placed chalkboard. Guests can finish off their meal with a delicious dessert like mousses, macaroons or crème brulé.

If you are looking for something less formal, for a lunch or quick bite, you need to look no further than directly across the street, where you will find ‘Le Comptoir Francais’— locally known as Julien’s Deli. Acting as more of a café than a bistro, this is a casual eatery that offers dine-in and carry-out selection. Popular among the locals for offering some of the best sandwiches on island, be sure to arrive early to make your order, or you may have difficulty finding a seat.

Showcasing a wide selection of delicatessen meats and cheese from France, Le Comptoir offers dishes ranging from special sandwiches on fresh baked bread, to charcuterie boards. Along with these delicious bites, guests can order the same assortment of meats and cheeses to take home to enjoy after the day is done, along with an array of spices, olive oils, sauces and pastas. Being a French establishment, there is also an array of wine, boasting a world-wide selection on offer for diners to enjoy by the glass or bottle, or to take home with those French delicacies that they bought on their way out.

If you want a little slice of traditional French dining while out in the Caribbean, you need to look no further than Le Bouchon Du Village and Le Comptoir Francais, where they offer a full range of items that can satisfy any French or European cravings that you may have during your time in the islands. When you find yourself on Providenciales, be sure to make your way to the Regent Village and ask for Julien—I can personally guarantee you won’t regret it. UA Le Bouchon - Wahoo Le Bouchon - Escargot