Raclette Fondue At Au Greni Learn
The Speciality Of The Locale Or Region
And Give It A Try
Travel in Europe with daughter Mary can be an adventure in dining. She seems to know the specialities of each village and town. While we traveled in Cranes, Switzerland, Mary searched the restaurant best known for Raclette Fondue. Sister Francella might be pleased to know that my one year of French as a sophmore in high school is still with me just enough to pick out enough words to get the jist of written word. I took a small business card from the restaurant which states they have a restaurant and terrace. The card states La terrasse: un cadre unique pour votre repas en plein air. The Terrace: A unique space for you to relax in fresh air.
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Raclette cheese is made in the Alps and is a type of what we know as Swiss cheese with a unique melting point. It has a nutty flavor and is aged 3 to 4 months. It is creamier than Gruyere cheese. To serve Raclette Fondue requires constant attention of the server to the restaurant diners.
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Daughter Mary ordered the Chinoise Fondue, granddaughter Laura ordered the Raclette and Don and I ordered the Beef Bourguignonne. Granddaughter Anna had chicken fingers and french fries. Anna went American!
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In the top photo, you will notice at the left of the wood burning fireplace a cheese pot for melting the Raclette cheese. When you order, a sandwich sized plate is brought to your place with a scoop of the melted cheese. Another plate contains small potatoes, pearl onions, and Gherkin pickles. With a fork you take a potato and scoop through the cheese and eat the potato with cheese. Likewise with the pickles, and onions also. Your plate is carefully watched and as soon as you need it replenished another plate is brought to your place. Mr. Hendriksen the owner was so gracious. He immediately recognized us as Americans. He asked where we lived and immediately related to the places in San Diego they had visited a few years earlier. He quickly shared with his wife, there were other Americans dining in their restaurant. (I wondered if that was supposed to be the validation of a place of fine dining among restaurateurs. We are known for our distinguished palate.)
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Last year while visiting Barbara in San Francisco, we learned that Barbara had found a French cheese shop in her neighborhood. Barbara had ordered a Raclette machine on-line. We had a Raclette party at her home which was a taste treat reminiscent of our trip to Crans.
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If you travel through the Alps and would like to stop by the Au Greni Restaurant-Terrasse, it is located at 3963 Crans-Montana (Mohn tah nah) tel. 027 481 24 43 Mention my name and the owner will say Pardoni moi (pardon me?)
The food there must have made a great impression on you! Did you write down everything you had that day or do you still remember?
ReplyDeleteJewels;
ReplyDeleteI took a business card from the restaurant and wrote down what we had chosen from the menu. I always try a dish I never tasted before when I travel anywhere. In Italy they eat horse meat. I haven't got that brave yet.