Photo: mikeandanna

Last Saturday evening was an important occasion for my wife and I. Not only were we celebrating our second wedding anniversary but it was our first evening out since the birth of our daughter, now three months old, who was kindly being babysat ber grandparents. Now I may have Scottish ancestry (albeit watered down through several generations – but hey! I still have the tartan surname) but I don’t mind pushing the boat out once and awhile and spending a little extra on a quality restaurant.

Where I live we are not exactly spoilt for choice, but there is one Michelin guide-recommended restaurant on the border of Meylan and Corenc called Restaurant Le Provence, so we made a reservation there. Just to put it into perspective, there is a restaurant in the same street – not without a decent reputation but which ought to remain nameless here – whose owners have an enormous and very shaggy German Shepherd which I have seen loitering in the kitchen.

Having made our reservation for Le Provence with little difficulty less than one week before, we were pleased when we arrived to be warmly greeted by a bustling, professional waiting staff. Modern and informal, the young, all-female team led by Danielle Gaggio, the chef’s wife, made a refreshing change from the surly owners and disinterested career waiters one often finds in Grenoble.

In fact I noted that the service was not only exclusively female and young, but all conspicuously Mediterranean in appearance: no men or blondes serving table at Le Provence. There was an annonce for a vacancy in this capacity – so I’d be curious to see how applications from anyone male or gold of locks would fare as a candidate. Luckily I already have a job, as I would be particularly disadvantaged on both counts.

We were ushered into a pleasantly lit courtyard of aromatic trees and plants which was quickly filling up with diners. This outdoor dining space, which has a retractable canvas roof, is the perfect ambience in which to fully appreciate Le Provence’s beautifully prepared fresh fish dishes garnished with carefully selected Mediterranean ingredients.

Having ummed and ahhed for a period over which menu to take, we finally opted for the three-course Privilège. At 35 euros, it was the cheaper choice (I am a Scot by name after all!) of the three, the most expensive of which was in the environs of 50 euro and had to be ordered in advance. I chose Foie Gras with a Provençal-sytle salad for a starter; my wife a tartine with roasted Meditterranean vegetables and Serrano ham.

For the main course we both had a Plancha of tuna with a light potato mousse, grilled veg and a kind of cuttlefish chutney. Despite the sensational variety of flavour and texture to indulge in, it was never too busy or rich – a harmonious spirit of Provençal cuisine ran throughout. While certainly gastronomic, the dishes were not pretentious, remaining faithful to Mediterranean ingredients.

Unfortunately we had to rush our equally delicious dessert in order to return to our hungry baby, so were unable to linger in the courtyard as long as we would have liked. But we did have the pleasure of meeting the highly personable chef, Eric Gaggio, as we paid at the reception on the way out. Simlultaneously smart and modern but informal and unpretentious, Le Provence is by some distance the best restaurant I have tried in the Grenoble area. Check out their informative website, where you can find information on the menus and prices but also cookery courses, their range of olive oils and catering options.

Restaurant Le Provence
28 avenue du Grésivaudan
38700 Corenc
04 76 90 03 38

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