nounplural noun amuse-gueules, plural noun amuse-gueule

• A small savoury item of food served as an appetizer before a meal.

  ‘Now, however, they are becoming a grander food, being served as amuse-gueules in expensive restaurants.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘A trio of amuse-gueules was served on three china spoons: a tiny bit of mozzarella and tomato in a kind of basil jelly; a scrap of chicken in a cream sauce; and a morsel of prepared duck with black truffle.’
  • ‘He gave me an amuse-gueule, a mini gazpacho, while I was in the kitchen, and a little orange jelly which was delicious, but those were not serious nourishment.’
  • ‘We serve this version often in the restaurants, as an appetiser or amuse-gueule.’
  • ‘Everything, including an amuse-gueule of impeccable bonito vinaigrette, was made in house.’
  • ‘The place is packed, there are two big Hollywood names on the next table and I have fallen in love with the sashimi and miso amuse-gueule.’
  • ‘Our friendly waiter brought an amuse-gueule of seared scallop, on an ice-cold tarragon cream quenelle.’
  • ‘The sweet melon soup she portions out as an amuse-gueule would have been exquisite for desert.’
  • ‘The mess is one of the more interesting amuse-gueules on the menu of recent political scandal.’
  • ‘Not cheap, certainly, but this is fine dining that included an amuse-gueule, pre-dessert, petit fours and coffee; in effect, six courses.’
  • ‘Otherwise I suspect he'd have deep-fried me as an amuse-gueule.’
  • ‘In informal settings, they're also referred to as amuse-gueule or amuse, ‘casual little bites to whet the appetite before a meal, typically served in a bistro or brasserie.’’

  Synonyms

  starter, canapé, first course, finger food, titbit, savoury, snack