DINNER.
The menu created by Mr. Švenčionis has not changed much in 10 years because as the manager of the restaurant Dainius Vasiliauskas states the inclusion of a new dish means that something has to be removed from the menu. Elimination is possible only when something else can be prepared better. It is not an easy task. Besides, return diners at Saint Germain like certain particular dishes which have been improved for these 11 years.
Guests of the restaurants like classical desserts very much: fondant au chocolat, tiramisu, crème brulee and panna cota with passiflower and caramel, which is new on the menu.
The dishes that have never been removed from the menu for 11 years are steak tartar, tomatoes and boletus soups, beef Stroganoff, tuna filet, risotto.
Ingredients used in food preparation in this restaurant arrive from all over the world. Meat is mainly imported. It is mostly shipped from New Zealand, Brazil or Ireland. In principle, every ingredient has been long search for and is shipped from a number of countries and suppliers.
There are also some products that are made in Saint Germain. All sauces, mayonnaise, melted butter and other main products are prepared locally.
SERVICE AND WINE CARD.
As Mr. Vasiliauskas says, it is hard to find any better service in Vilnius than here. The restaurant has its own sommelier – Mindaugas Miežys – who helps match wine and food to diners in the evening.
Wine card in Saint Germain is optimal. It includes the new and the old words, the main regions that export wines. Although there are no particularly rate wines, wines in Saint Germain usually fit every type of taste. French wine, certainly, prevails in the restaurant.
BREAKFAST.
From this summer on, Saint Germain eventually introduces a breakfast menu which includes eggs Benedict, a French omelette, and crepes with caviar, fresh croissants, fresh fruit and other light gourmet dishes typically eaten in the morning.
INTERESTING.
A number of famous world’s actors who visited Vilnius during film shootings have fallen in love with the restaurants in the period of 11 years. Actor Jeremy Irons and all his film crew did a huge favour to the restaurant right after its opening. Mr. Irons became keen on Saint Germain and as long as he was in Vilnius, he was its permanent diner. A number of evenings have been spent by actors John Malkovich, Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts, Marie Trintignant and others here.
CREDO.
Owner of the restaurant Dainius is a phrancophone. He annually travels to France with this team to get new ideas, observe new trends and discover new wines. His and his restaurant’s credo is “everything starts with taste”. Dainius notes that other restaurants often focus on form first which raises expectations. It is not acceptable to this place. He also finds it important to have not only fresh and quality food but also to be distinct, to have something that makes a particular dish special and unique.
