LE BABACHRIS - Love and slow living in a unique gastronomic experience
When you open the door at Le Babachris, it's as if a calm voice whispers in your ear that from the moment you enter, you're truly there to savor—the food, the company, the space, the time. More than just a meal, this place is about sharing and an invitation to an incredible gastronomic experience, as if we weren't talking about a Michelin-starred Bib Gourmand.
But in reality, this restaurant is much more than that. The name—Le Babachris—is a combination of the names Christian and Bárbara, and the living result of the realization of a dream built by Bárbara Rodrigues, a Portuguese woman from Fafe, and chef Christian Rullán, of French origin but raised in Mallorca. The passion that united them is now also the foundation of their teamwork. Bárbara is the maître d' and responsible for ensuring the guest has everything they need to enjoy the moment, where the essence lies in the symbiosis of flavors created by the chef's creativity.
At Le Babachris, there's no internet or television. Chef Christian Rullán asserts that each dish he prepares has a single purpose: that through flavors, the customer can detach from the world and take a true break. Guimarães, therefore, wasn't chosen by chance to realize this dream. Its tranquility caught the chef's attention, confirming the lifestyle he favors not only in his own life but also in the preparation of his dishes: slow living.
Be prepared for anything but traditional cuisine: here you'll find fusion with Mediterranean roots.
Despite the menu, no day at Le Babachris is the same, because each visit can mean discovering new flavors and experiences, created by the efforts of a team full of energy and passion for what they do, making each meal a unique and exclusive experience. Here, cuisine is inspired by seasonality, the pure essence of each product, and the quality of each ingredient.
Prepare for anything but traditional cuisine: here, there's fusion, with Mediterranean underpinnings. Start slowly: feel the smoked butter with allspice melt in your mouth, on the most incredible macaroni bread you'll ever taste—a unique recipe from the chef, with a 72-hour fermentation process. After the couvert, the starters will make you feel like you're tasting the world: tuna tartar with albedo, prawn carpaccio with espuma and Parmaggiani cheese, or octopus kibbeh are some options we highly recommend. Remember, you have time, and time will be your best ally.
Start small: feel the smoked allspice butter melt in your mouth, on the most incredible sourdough bread you will ever taste […].
For the main course, there's meat, fish, and a new concept that elevates Le Babachris' menu: paella-style rice. The cuttlefish ink rice will leave you enchanted, thinking you've never eaten anything like it. And while we're at it, don't leave Le Babachris without trying the cod with bourbon sauce, caught with a hook and using the chef's unique recipe, which will break apart like the most delicate dish you've ever had. They say that when a Portuguese person tries it, they question the hundreds of cod recipes that already exist! But let's not get into arguments...
[…] don't go to Le Babachris without trying the cod in bourbon sauce, caught with a hook and using a unique recipe from the chef […]
And while we're sure Le Babachris will be on your bucket list, we guarantee it could still be upgraded—the chef's desserts are the highlight of this trip. Tout chocolat for chocolate lovers or douceur fruit rouges et citron for those who prefer citrus flavors are infallible recommendations.
Finally, I'd like to tell you that Le Babachris enchants not only with its food, its pleasant atmosphere, and its ability to make us switch off and savor, but also with the family atmosphere you'll feel. Don't hesitate to drop in a few words with chef Christian and his wife Bárbara, who will make you feel truly at home in their own unique way.
Text: Carla Martins
Photos: Ana Nogueira