Le Chateau des Arenes - Gières

This excellent restaurant is a little way out of Grenoble, in the suburb of Gières. Hidden away up a narrow side street, it is in the lower ground vaulted rooms of a B&B manor house. Décor is a somewhat stark white throughout, but broken up...by sound deadening panels hung with pictures – which is probably very practical because the vaulted ceiling would otherwise make for a noisy environment when the restaurant is really busy. But it’s the food which marks it out. The four of us all opted for the very good value ‘menu du jour’ which we found excellent. The starter was a ‘vol au vent’ with prawns, and mini scallops in a mushroom sauce. The main course was duck leg with a forestière sauce (mushroom) and a vegetable medley. Dessert was a delicious cheesecake, not too thick, but therefore not too sickly either. The whole was bookended by optional champagne coupes and coffees. As I did not pay the bill, I can’t say what the overall cost was, but it would have been modest for the quality of meal we had. I would return.

I have eaten at the Chateau twice now once for dinner and once for lunch. The meals have been exceptional on both occasions. The restaurant is well positioned and appointed with great staff. I would not hesitate to return again for my next meal...out.

I reserved this restaurant for a lunch meal with a customer. I wanted somewhere serving good French cuisine at a price that would not embarrass the customer, and where we could easily sit and talk business. The restaurant fitted all those needs very well, keeping...the meal within budget, and having an atmosphere and a presentation that was in keeping with the business needs. The service wasn't perfect, but was acceptable and friendly; The overall verdict is that this is a place I could return to for a business meal, a romantic meal or a family meal. I was pleased to have discovered this place.

We had dinner at the Chateau at the end of our one week holiday in France, and this was by far our best meal. Our son had steak and French fries accompanied by a green salad, the presentation was superb. It was the first meal...he ate entirely! We ordered foi gras and snail, both were delicious and again nicely presented. For main courses we opted for beef and deer, the sauces they came with were just right, not overpowering or too weak, they complemented the meat just perfectly. The accompaniments were on their own a meal, a beetroot soufflé -great flavour and ever so light just the way a soufflé should be. Potatoes dauphinoise that was full of flavour from the top layer to the bottom, it was difficult not too finished all as it was very moorish. For dessert we shared the Charlotte with apple, rhubarb and salted caramel sauce, it was delicious and perfect end to a great meal. The service was smooth and very personal -the owner of the Chateau serves the meals and is very warm and down-to-earth. I'd also like to mention that the chateau offers accommodation and we stayed in a room on the third floor of the actual chateau which was great. We were flying out of France the following morning and although we had to leave at the owner insisted on serving us a lovely breakfast.

I have eaten at the Chateau twice now - once for dinner and once for lunch. The meals have been exceptional on both occasions. The restaurant is well positioned and appointed with great staff. I would not hesitate to return again for my next meal out.