June 21, 2019

L’Epicerie Gourmande Is a Little Piece of Southern France in Alabang

French foodstuffs and brands in the Philippines are rare to come by in the Philippines so when L’epicerie Gourmande opened in Alabang, they offered gourmet grocery, French wines, and dishes.

French cuisine is commonly thought to be high class and expensive. Christian and Valerie Nervegno, French owners of L’epicerie Gourmande, wanted to let customers enjoy a brasserie, a casual restaurant for friends and family.

The grocery area has plenty of French food products as well as cold cuts, imported cheeses, and wines. While the bigger restaurant area supports homey interiors and communal tables using repurposed materials like wood, metal, and tiles.

Following the theme of casual and communal dining, L’epicerie Gourmande has both servings for sharing such as the Le Plateau du Traiteur (Php 590) their mixed cold cut and cheese selection served with bread and condiments.

Pair the platter with choice wine, or better yet, 3 of them! The French Wine Degustation (Php 280) of three 8 cl. glasses of their selection of red, rose, or white wines. Otherwise, have some wine by the glass or a carafe. For more wine, you can also purchase a bottle directly from their cellar!

The Farandole du Saucisses (Php 490) is another popular choice from their special platters. This is made up of L’epicerie Gourmande’s 5 best plump French sausages served with steaming oven roasted potatoes best for sharing.

Children are most welcome at the restaurant and one of their favorite dishes are creamy pasta such as their Les Speciales a la Truffle (Php 380). This dish is not only kid-friendly but also vegetarian like many dishes on their menu.

Other than their impressive wine, cold cuts, and cheese selections L’epicerie Gourmande also has fresh bread! Frenchies are crazy about their baguettes that the restaurant gets their bread delivered fresh daily from a nearby boulangerie.

In January 2019, L’epicerie Gourmande opened their second branch at Two Serendra in Taguig. Meanwhile, the Alabang branch will soon move to the Molito Lifestyle Mall by the end of May. This article will be updated once the move is finalized.

If you are interested in having some wine and cheese with friends or a simple lunch with family around Alabang or BGC, take some time off to enjoy this little piece of the French Riviera (aka the Mediterranean coastline south of France) in the Philippines.

How to get here

By commute: From Ayala, you can take the Ayala-Alabang P2P bus to Alabang South Station. Cross Alabang-Zapote Road to Festival Supermall. L’epicerie Gourmande is at the River Park on the other side of the mall.

By car: From Makati, use SLEX to the south and take the Calamba exit toward Filinvest, turn to Corporate Ave. to Festival Mall, Alabang. There are available free roadside parking in front of the restaurant. Mall parking is also available nearby subject to parking rates.

This first appeared on Philippine Primer Japanese Magazine May 2019 Issue.
Written by Heloise Diamante