Le Grain de Sel - Lons-le-Saunier

On our way back from the Provence we saw this restaurant on tripadvisor. It opens its doors at that was very convenient for us at that time (most restaurants open at The staff was very friendly and helpfull. Also a kind attitude towards...dogs! The food is really fine cuisine and nicely put on the plates. Nice rosé wine of their region, très sympa! The prices were surprisingly okay for such a high standard food, you can have a main course for that is surely okay compaired to Belgian prices. Delicious and not to plain desserts! Quick service. Definitely an ideal diner place on you way home from the Provence! Thumbs up!

The restaurant offered a euro menu for that day. I chose the menu because I thought it must be fresh. Mise en bouche was a meniscal glass of something like colored soap, the main dish was a few pieces of pork on top of...something slimy (could have been mash potatoes) and included two peas and two small string beans. I was looking forward to the dessert which was to be a strawberry milkshake but it was nothing like a milkshake. Imagine cleaning up a milkshake glass and using the wash as the dessert base with a wafer as decoration. I returned the dessert and I got a bad stomach from the food.

It’s a mixed bag for me. We ordered the course menu of euros. On the one side, they serve some interesting entrees and amuses but the main course (fish) was dry, uninteresting and a too big of a portion in relation to the...entire menu. And would have like more vegetables. The entree of foie gras with a creme brulee and roasted duck was delicious. The cod rilette was delicious too. The cheeses were local and tasty. But the dessert was just a simple stack of meringues, ice cream (not homemade) and whipped cream. The staff was very friendly, even though they hardly speak any English, they still tried their best. The atmosphere is nice and casual. Clearly popular among families. Tip; reserve a spot ahead of time if you’re visiting in August (most restaurants are closed and the rest is fills up quickly).

We had the Menu at which was acceptable but not inspired. But the decor was old-fashioned and the atmosphere was cold and not very welcoming. We were the only people in the restaurant and it was a public holiday in May which may have...accounted for the lack of customers. But the experience did not make us want to return.

An interesting carte if they could cook it. We did not want a large meal so avoided the menus. Amuse bouche of dressed fish ok. Morilles starter (€29!) lacked flavour. Main course rabbit was bitty and dry with an uninspired sauce. My fillet of beef was rare, as ordered, but lacked finesse in both cooking and saucing. Desserts, ordered before the limitations were known, were an inedible mix of tomato and ice cream and a fruit tart with ice cream rather than the specified sorbet. With 2 half bottles of wine total was €140.50. I paid in full but expressed some dissatisfaction - this was met aggressively.