Document text
July 14, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels April 27, 2004 Color, taste combine in culinary delight By Chris Honor� Tidings Reviewer The French restaurant Monet, featured in the recently published "Savor Oregon Cookbook: Oregon's Finest Restaurants and Lodges," can be found just a short walk up the hill from Main on Second Street in a white two-story wood-frame house, its front porch framed by trees and flowers. Surrounded by colorful walls and flowers is Monet, a local restaurant chosen by a new cookbook as one of Oregon's finest. Five Monet recipes were included in the book. Denise Baratta Ashland Daily Tidings Enter and you will be greeted by Dale Verger, co-owner and partner with her husband, chef Pierre Verger. Standing in the small foyer you are immediately struck by the restaurant's soft elegance and inviting atmosphere. Off to the left is a large corner dining room, high windows filling two sides allowing early evening light to spill into the room. There is seating for 51 guests, with tables for couples and parties of four or more. The walls are a creamy white French batting, covered with illuminated prints of the famous early 20th century painter, Claude Monet. The room is a pallet of pastels - greens, yellows, pinks and blues, all in keeping with the theme of the restaurant, which is to reflect the warmth and richness of Monet's impressionistic paintings. Flowers are everywhere, not only captured in the art work and table clothes, but small vases of fresh flowers are set on each table. Outside dining In late spring and throughout the summer, the restaurant can seat diners outside as well - which many prefer - in a lovely side garden, landscaped by design with the same flowers that one might find in a Monet garden painting. Dale commented that she bought the book, "Monet's Garden," and gave it to a landscape architect "to use in planting the flowers that grow in Monet's garden in Giverney (France) that would grow in our climate." The centerpiece of the garden is a large maple shade tree, the only one on the property initially, whose arching branches provide a green canopy over the tables making the umbrellas unnecessary. In search of beauty Dale and Pierre Verger have been in Ashland for 12 years, coming from the San Francisco Bay Area. Pierre has been in the restaurant business since he was very young. Born in Tournon, France, he lived after that in Tain-l'Hermitage across the Rhone River, where he began his culinary training. He has since operated restaurants in L'Hermitage, St. Moritz and one on Long Island, Pierre's Chalet and worked in Paris, Morocco, the Bahamas and Montreal. Monet is his fourth restaurant and reflects his years of experience. Dale, who hails from Iowa, met Pierre in Oakland, Calif. where she moved after graduating from Purdue University with a master's degree in French literature. Having decided they wanted to open a restaurant in a small town with a tourist population, they set out on a three-week trip up the coast from the Bay Area to Vancouver, returning through Idaho and Eastern Oregon. To their disappointment, they found nothing that seemed to inspire. Then they heard of Ashland, visited, and, in Dale's words, "fell in love and moved here four months later." That was in 1991. It was not long after their arrival, with the help of an agent, they found the building that now houses Monet, which was, to their delight, right across the street from the Winchester Inn and mere blocks from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Presentation Given all the care that has gone into creating an ambiance both inviting and relaxing, it is no surprise that the French cuisine is prepared and presented artfully and tastefully using fresh herbs from Monet's own garden. The menu reflects a commitment by Pierre to offer what is referred to as traditional French country with a light touch. On any given evening one might select the "Escargots Bourguignonne (Escargots with Pierre's special garlic butter), the "Soupe a l'oignon des Halles de Paris (lots of onions; gratined with imported cheese), Les Salades such as the "Fromage de chevre chaud roti aux amandes" (roasted goat cheese rolled in almonds and served with a fresh salad dressed with a vinaigrette flavored with chives and cream) followed by a "Filet de veau forestiere" (Loin of all natural veal sauteed & finished with a wild mushroom, madeira sauce). The wine list is selected by Dale, who does the buying. "I don't choose the big names, but try to have wines that not everyone knows. I usually don't buy a wine unless I've tasted it, or in the case of the French wines on our list, have tasted one from the same region and therefore know what to expect. We also have Oregon and California wines on our list. We were interested in local wines when we visited, so we felt other visitors would be interested as well." Monet hosts special events throughout the year, including Second Street Socials in tandem with the Winchester Inn, and Three Winemaker Dinners, the second being offered on Wednesday, May 19, 2004. Monet is located at 36 S. 2nd Street, Ashland, Oregon. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 5:30-8:30 PM. During the shoulder season the restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday and the entire month of January. For further information/reservations, call 541-482-1339. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams