On Friday evening the autumn theme was prominent in my belated birthday celebration with Juan at the Fantin Latour restaurant: apple, mushroom, truffle, hazel nut, pumpkin and légumes oubliés all making an appearance in the 10-course gastro meal. Since our arrival in France in 2005 the humble parsnip has made a comeback. Amusing to see it gracing the menu of Grenoble's fanciest downtown restaurant.
The restaurant takes its mountain theme seriously. At the entrance you pass a reconstruction of a mountain stream, complete with birch trees. It would be successful as a primary-school project. But as a restaurant installation? Accompanying our food were chunks of moss, twigs, stones, leaves... classy or crude?
The jury is out...
The surprise gourmande was one of many highlights: an awesome fennel gazpacho. But the potée comtoise – a pork stew – was a shade too hearty for our appetites, and strangely out of style with the exquisitely-portioned courses that preceded it. And whoever thought of partnering melon sorbet and watery tapioca in the pré dessert definitely needs to rethink strategy.
I should add that we were taking advantage of a 2-for-the-price-of-1 offer. A good deal. But it meant that the restaurant was packed with fellow bargain-hunters. Sitting together in a somewhat cramped space we were processed en masse, at a brisk pace. Our view – onto a busy and insalubrious passage way – was inconsistent with any sense of occasion. So our overall verdict: a very interesting adventure but for ambiance and pace the Uriage Terrasses wins hands down.
On Saturday the mountains were looking sumptuous. We did a variation of the Villard Reymond – Villard Notre Dame circuit walked numerous times.
It gives outstanding views of Villard Reymond...
and the snow-dusted Grandes Rousses peaks above Alpe d'Huez were a seductive trailer for the white landscapes that will be taking over any time soon. The above-normal temperature made for ideal walking conditions. My aches and pains slowed us, but that was no bad thing – endless possibilities for contemplating the view.
I'm beginning to get jealous of all your glorious-looking walks. My beach walks are starting to get boring!! And what, pray, are legume oublies?!
ReplyDeleteha ha. I reacted to that one, too. I'm not sure how the language would feel to a native speaker but I would translate as either "vegetables from yester year" (cheesy, pretentious claptrap - we're talking basic root veggies) or "veggies left forgotten in an apple" (losing everything in translation).
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