Le Beaulieu in Grenoble, France
A few weeks ago, during our stay in Grenoble, we stopped at Le Beaulieu for lunch. The menu offered a nice selection of salads and classic French desserts, making it an easy choice for a relaxed midday meal. Before even looking at the food menu, Jodi already knew what she wanted to drink. She ordered an Orangina, a beverage she absolutely loves and never misses when traveling to France. There is something about that iconic orange-flavored drink that immediately says "vacation in France" to her. Then, for her entrée, Jodi chose the Salade Italienne (14.50 Eur) or Italian salad. Made with egg, tomato, basil, and a creamy burrata, she asked for it without the meat. The combination was light, fresh, and perfect for a warm afternoon. The burrata added plenty of richness while the basil and tomatoes brought bright Mediterranean flavors to the plate. On my side, I went in a different direction with the Salade Norvégienne (16.50 Eur) or Norwegian salad. The menu described it as coming with smoked salmon and gambas, but the gambas ended up being shrimp instead. I admit that I was a bit disappointed but, fortunately, the smoked salmon was good, and the combination with the shrimp created a satisfying and refreshing lunch without feeling too heavy. I should mention that both salads came with French fries.
Orangina at Le Beaulieu in Grenoble, France
Italian salad at Le Beaulieu in Grenoble, France
Norwegian salad at Le Beaulieu in Grenoble, France
As much as I enjoyed my salad, I already had dessert in mind. When I saw Baba au Rhum (6.40 Eur) on the menu, there was no way I was going to pass on it. For those unfamiliar with the dessert, baba au rhum is a soft sponge cake soaked in rum syrup, one of the great classics of French pastry. It can sometimes be subtle. This one was not. Let's just say they were extremely generous with the rum. One bite in and there was absolutely no doubt about what was soaking the cake. The dessert remained moist, flavorful, and wonderfully indulgent, delivering exactly what a baba au rhum should: a perfect balance of sweetness and a healthy kick of rum that was slightly attenuated by the vanilla bean cream (creme anglaise).
Baba au rhum at Le Beaulieu in Grenoble, France
Baba au rhum at Le Beaulieu in Grenoble, France
Le Beaulieu gave us exactly what we were looking for: a pleasant lunch in Grenoble with fresh salads and a memorable dessert.
Enjoy (I did)!
If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!
Le Beaulieu - 68 Bd Gambetta, 38000 Grenoble, France
