Auberge Napoleon
7 rue de Montorge
Cuisines: French
About
No other restaurant in France boasts as intense an association with Napoleon Bonaparte, but that's less important to diners than the fact that the restaurant is the finest in the Grenoble area. In 1815, Napoleon spent the night here at the beginning of a 100-day reign that ended with his defeat by Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo. You'll find enough subtle references to the history of France, from the Revolution to around 1820, to keep a student of French history busy throughout the superb meal. The restaurant seats only 23, in a plush, manicured dining room with upholstered walls and about 20 contemporary floral still lifes by renowned Grenoblois artist Martine Poller. Your host is Avignon-born Frederic Caby, an expert in the history of French cuisine, the exploits of Napoleon, and the nuances of Grenoble. We'd vote the bouillabaisse the best in the Alps. Cuisine is by resident chef Agnès Chotin. Try velvety-smooth crayfish-and-shrimp cream soup, or duck foie gras terrine. The chef makes a superb filet of beef in game sauce.
