La Galerie, a perfect food and wine picture
La Galerie concept was born from Tina Su’s multi entrepreneurial urge. Initially, the Taiwanese lady was looking for a small space in the downtown area that was easily accessible to showcase her imported furniture from Europe and the United States. However, this initial idea evolved and she added art to the walls and served food and wine while listening to good old vinyl music .
Cozy, accessible and centrally located, La Galerie is hidden behind Iapm Mall on Fenyang Road, providing an intimate space for those to enjoy a cosy evening of chat with wine in a “living room” setting.
Lionel Le Gal, manager, wine curator and minority partner, said, “This is the perfect spot for a late afternoon coffee, an after-work glass and bite, a light French dinner before heading to another event or a late evening 'before' for party-goers.”
Le Gal has been working in the wine industry for the past 16 years and has had a wine-consulting agency for the last five of those years.
A true expert in wine, he has chosen an exciting wine selection and introduces it to a discerning clientele on a daily basis.
“Su was initially thinking of having a Burgundy-only selection, which eventually evolved into a French wine-only and then Pinot Noir of the world, to end up in cool climate focused selection: ‘cool climate for cool people.’
“I isolated myself for 12 hours to put this first wine selection together, based on my market knowledge, with the will to closely match the cool climate theme.
“Cool climate wines are approachable, fresh, alert, light in color, body, alcohol and wood. Made from Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Grunner Vetliner, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay for whites and Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Merlot, Pinot noir and Syrah for reds, they bring you finesse and delight and customers usually ask for a second glass or bottle.”
La Galerie has chosen some classics and twists for the more advanced palates.
Most of the buy-by-the-glass choices have been short-listed among a line up of 10 to 15 labels, with very strict price guidelines to provide maximum tasting enjoyment and a goal of “drinkability,” as it is often referred to in the wine circle’s jargon.
La Galerie doesn’t have a physical wine list but offers a five-minute tour of the wine cellar with Le Gal.
“It allows the customer, under professional guidance, to choose the glass, bottle or magnum they wish to enjoy for their evening,” he said.
Along with the curated wine and whiskies selection, La Galerie serves “petits plats” (small portions) for simplicity.
“It would be summed up in the French ‘casse-croute’ concept, adding a twist of sparkle as a ‘glam-croute,’ ’glam-ping’ (concept applied to food).
Since the wine selection is 80 percent French, it makes sense to have a French theme food menu.”
On a recent evening, I tried some of the house specialties, including escargot, gnocchi, garlic prawns, a mixed cheese and ham plate and Le Gal helped me pick the right bottles along the journey.
Besides the well-curated food and wine selection, La Galerie also has a collection of furniture and fine art curated for the space.
They import mid-century vintage and antique pieces from Europe, and most of them are often just a single piece.
The idea is to mix and match different pieces, and for each piece they prepare an introduction story and the history of the piece to give a sense of its legacy to the patrons who purchase them here.
Info
Opening hours: 5pm-midnight (Monday-Saturday)
Tel: 15900649246
Address: 1/F, No. 1 Fenyang Rd
Average price: 320 yuan