All information in this blog post is correct as of the publishing date, 20.04.12.
The restaurant at La Barbarie Hotel is one of Guernsey’s foodie highlights; a relaxed an casual affair that is as much about the social enjoyment of eating as it is about the culinary highlights on the table.
About La Barbarie
Winner of the 2010 Diners Vote Award, La Barbarie Hotel prides itself on offering unpretentious food, friendly service, and a warm and comfortable atmosphere. The hotel serves a fantastic selection of menus, including a la carte, lunch menus, poolside snacks, afternoon teas and an excellent four course set menu. Local Guernsey ingredients take centre stage, with supporting dishes showcasing the best of continental and British produce.
Converted into a hotel in 1950, La Barbarie is an original Guernsey country house that provides a perfect location for a memorable meal. Diners can enjoy their meals, drinks, and nibbles around the hotel, from the dining room, mixing contemporary décor with classic stone floors and walls, to the swimming pool terrace and the cosy lounge bar.
The Menu
The a la carte menu at La Barbarie offers a perfect balance between seafood, meats, and vegetarian dishes. Starters include a mouth-watering collection of fish from local waters, from the simple local fish soup with Gruyere cheese and rouille, to seared Guernsey scallops with chorizo and classic hand-picked crab served with a zingy sweetcorn coriander salsa.
“The freshly caught lobster we ate at La Barbarie Hotel where we stayed, covered in that wonderful yellow Guernsey butter, was the best we have ever tasted.”
– BBC TV Chef Rick Stein
Vegetarians are well cared for in the La Barbarie restaurant. All vegetarian dishes can be served as either a starter or a main course, creating a mix-and-match menu including Piedmontese-style stuffed peppers served with cous cous, roast Guernsey goats cheese with fresh Royal potatoes, and a tangy roast pepper salad with tomatoes and creamy mozzarella.
The La Barbarie main course selection is a sight to behold, overflowing with dishes for every taste. Classic dishes include the medley of grilled seafood served with a champagne sauce and new potatoes, a slightly spiced fillet of brill with local scallops, and a glorious five-spiced duck breast accompanied by stir fired greens, Teriyaki sauce, ginger and chilli.
However, that’s not all. Steak lovers and fish fans will be bowled over by the La Barbarie Steak Board and the selection of ‘Marine Cuisine’. Whether you’re tempted by the 8oz fillet, a juicy 10oz rib-eye, or the grand Chateaubriand for two, steaks are perfectly cooked and served with all the traditional tasty trimmings. The Marine Cuisine menu showcases the hotel’s fine choice of local and seasonal catches, cooked in your chosen style and served with one of the kitchen’s fabulous sauces; choose from Guernsey scallops, salmon, fresh brill, bass, and local lobster.
If you still have space after your sumptuous starter and main course, the dessert menu and cheese board will not disappoint. La Barbarie desserts reflect the concept behind the restaurant: tasty, classic, and not at all pretentious. Choices range from the fresh and fruity to the rich and decadent, including a luxurious freshly made chocolate fondant and a vanilla panna cotta served with a tangy berry compote. If you’re looking for something simple, then look no further than the fantastic selection of Guernsey farmhouse ice creams, from caramel fudge to maple syrup and pecan. For those without a sweet tooth, the great value cheese board features a small selection of Guernsey cheeses with walnut bread and biscuits.
Whether you’re a hotel guest, visiting La Barbarie from another hotel, or even if you’re a local Guernsey resident, the restaurant offers a fantastic collection of dishes, showcasing all that is best about local Channel Island food. Ideal for quick bites, celebrations, special occasions, and romantic meals, La Barbarie has something for everyone.
The three star La Barbarie Hotel is open between March and October, with rooms available from £51 per person per night. You can find out more and book online here.