17 July 2010

La Grenouille

.
or, dinner at the frog pond.
why is it the French is so right?



I arrived late.
My first cab driver stopped to have a conversation (not) with a biker-who unappetizingly spit in his face. I decided to exit the sweat box for another one. Did I mention it was HOT.
After a treacherous cab ride to la Grenouille, I tucked in to dinner and conversation with designer Maureen Footer and writer Emily Evans Eerdmans. Thank you- Maureen for making a plan only you could design.




I dined.
It was deliciously delectable-but I can hardly remember what I ate, so caught up was I in the atmosphere and the stellar company. The cuisine is not to be questioned.
I did not.

Special souffles- a caramel, a chocolate, a raspberry.


The flowers are absolutely to be gawked over.
I did.
Tall bowery green leaves with bunches of Casablanca lilies shaded below, their scale is heavenly.



the tiny lamps on the tables are perfection


Opening in December of 1962, during a snowstorm-but really how could I say it better than NEW YORK magazine-
I can't.
"With Lutece, La Cote Basque, and La Caravelle all six forks under, it's thrilling that La Grenouille thrives. Owner Charles Masson's youthful makeover leaves the once hoity-toity Frog Pond less forbidding. Floral exuberance still explodes in every corner, and, in the ultimate surrender to reality, the menu—mixing classic and new—is finally translated into English." — Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld

or from Reggie Darling here


& of course there has to be a book.
There is.
written by current owner Charles Masson, in 1994, and dedicated to his PAPA, who started the legendary restaurant and his flowers. The book is a must have, and all sorts of copies are still available.

the Masson mantra-
Bois de la vie~ drink life

We did.

 Renoir's La Grenouille, 1869



image from the links below~
La Grenouille here
read an in depth review here
the frog in depth here
the book here

15 comments:

  1. It never disappoints...glad to hear you had a good time. I'm pea green!

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  2. Beautiful memories.....

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  3. Do not forget the beautiful shimmer of the Bubinga wood walls...in the glow of the candlelight.

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  4. How you make things glow! It seems like we are there with you. What a gifts you give us; many thanks.

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  5. Le Grenouille is one of those restaurants where you feel special. And that little corner table is a favorite place to see and be seen. Thank you for reminding me how much I enjoy it there.

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  6. A wonderful appreciation and reminiscence which I'd never have discovered but for the citation of this address at Ivan Terestchenko's blog. We tend to center ourselves at such places, and in my youth that place was La Caravelle instead, but not for any reason but those relevant ones given here. Nobody has ever felt about La Grenouille anything but affection and grateful esteem.

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  7. A wonderful appreciation and reminiscence which I'd never have discovered but for the citation of this address at Ivan Terestchenko's blog. We tend to center ourselves at such places, and in my youth that place was La Caravelle instead, but not for any reason but those relevant ones given here. Nobody has ever felt about La Grenouille anything but affection and grateful esteem.

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  8. It was lovely and it does seem the lighting makes everyone and everything more lovely. It was a pleasure, especially the company.

    Victoria- wish You all had been. hope you are enjoying your own travels.

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  9. Carter, it does seem the memories are what matter most in the long run, No? I checked in on your blog to be- and will follow along to see when things get underway. pgt

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  10. How completely gorgeous. Little Augury is such a treat - every post a jewel, and just when one thinks it can't get any richer, it does. The photographs of La Grenouille are bliss.

    (there's an award for you at Mrs Trefusis - do feel free to ignore it, but I wanted to flag your gorgeous blog up and point people in the direction of such an inspiring, beautiful blog).

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  11. Dearest LA: You describe LG perfectly--the atmosphere, the lighting, the flowers, the food. Thanks for linking to my essay on the last remaining Grand Dame of the old French guard left in NY. I, like, Carter Nicholas, rue the day Caravelle closed. And I am please that LG remains...for now. Every time I go there (not too often, maybe two times a year) I do so wondering whether it will be my last and that I will wake one morning and read in the Times that its doors have closed...It is like a loved one--they must be cherished, for who knows what can happen, or when? Reggie

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  12. oh i'm so glad you went! I went awhile ago and it was the first souffle I had ever had. That started my love affair!

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  13. Oh, this brings back very special NYC memories for me..thanks for this!
    xx

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  14. Reggie- and now on to L'Absinthe which I loved. Grenouille seems to be a sentimental journey for many.

    Mrs Trefusis- So nice to get this from You. I never ignore a compliment or the chance to share new blogs. Your post with the poems is worth the wait.

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  15. You are making me incredibly hungry. Better get into Manhattan tomorrow ahhhh:)

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