Clarence, himself, welcomed the familiar arrangement which took him back to post-hunting dinners his family had back home in Eymet . Introduced by Dez O’Connell, Brody’s resident libation master, Clarence’s warm smile and tangible energy made you feel indeed right at home and part of the family.

It was made very clear to us as the evening began that each and every item we were to taste came, not just from Perigord, but more specifically, from places within a range of 50 km from where Clarence grew up.

A variety of creams, pâtés, and sausage, all specialties of this area, were to be served, some from family recipes, generations-old. And despite being in the shadow of its famous neighbor, Bordeaux, Clarence took the opportunity to introduce us to wines from Perigord, a burgeoning wine region in and of its own right.



Stand-outs of the evening were a hare paté served with a Côtes de Duras rouge as well as a delectably smooth herring-tomatoes cream accompanied by a Bergerac rosé. The espelette spiced pâté was something to saveur along with a wild boar sausage which would have even non-sausage lovers fixed. All five tastings were accompanied by AOC vintages from Bergerac and Côtes de Duras.



Clarence took a good amount of time explaining that anybody who has never tried snails always loves it once they do . . .. . my fellow guests all seemed to agree though Liz still failed to attempt a bite . . . sorry Clarence; I know it is my loss.

Via his Le Gourmet de Bordeaux, Clarence brings these and other products to Budapest which can be found nowhere else. Started as an online shop in 2012, you may now visit Le Gourmet at L’Institut Français at Fő utca 17. A tiny cavern of sorts, the small space betrays a plethora of culinary provisions.

From the savory creams we had at Brody to the famous Perigord black truffles and foie-gras, Clarence has built up an offering of delicacies to make any foodie’s mouth water: apricot cream vinegar, ceps mushrooms in oil, poppy syrup and cheeses galore. These are just a few of the items to be found within Le Gourmet de Bordeaux. And, of course, let’s not forget the wines . . . .



Yet, most importantly perhaps, it is the welcome and warmth you are greeted with by Clarence who makes you feel right at home and eager to explore. Clarence says he is “not a business man; I just want to bring to people the products of my region.”

Thank you Brody for an evening in Perigord; and thank you Le Gourmet de Bordeaux for allowing us to come back for more. The world may better know the region of “Bordeaux”; yet Perigord certainly has much to claim.



Le Gourmet de Bordeaux- Fő utca 17 open 9:00-09:00 Mon-Fri 10:00- 16:00 Sat

Make sure to visit Clarence’s site   for more information on upcoming events and tastings. For special event and corporate tastings, call Clarence +36 30 376 6089.

And be sure to visit for their next culinary adventure.

Copyright 2015 Elizabeth Frommer. To republish please contact Liz by clicking here