LAURENT CLOSING

I just walked past Laurent's Restaurant in the Casa Blanca hotel and the chalkboard said they were closing. Last day the 25th.
Know any more, anyone?

Didn't make it. Too bad I very much enjoyed the food and service and
I like the inside of Casa Blanca. I hope Joseph (owner of B and B) can
find a replacement resturant. Hey folks how about someone opening
a greek resturant in the Casa Blanca??? I will miss the french food.
For folks hooked on there french onion soup try two spoons on Ocampo
and Colon. Nice people good food at two spoons.

We were there on Saturday evening for one last meal and to say goodbye to Laurent and his wife. They're moving to Mendoza, Argentina.

What's cooking at the Casa Blanca? "Joe's Cafe"
The owner is Joseph, owner of the Casa Blanca. He said he retained the cook who was doing much of the meal preparation before under the Laurent label.
Plans to serve simple dishes; hamburgers, sandwiches, etc. I doubt that escargots will be on the menu. The sign is up and when we are feeling courageous, we'll try it and report back.

gringal wrote:What's cooking at the Casa Blanca? "Joe's Cafe"
The owner is Joseph, owner of the Casa Blanca. He said he retained the cook who was doing much of the meal preparation before under the Laurent label.
Plans to serve simple dishes; hamburgers, sandwiches, etc. I doubt that escargots will be on the menu. The sign is up and when we are feeling courageous, we'll try it and report back.

It certainly won't replace Laurent, not much would. I would like to see another classy restaurant go in. Simple dishes, hamburgers, sandwiches, there's enough of those joints around and good ones too. Good luck, just what we don't need!

Our Dinner Group will miss his restaurant.

The "classy restaurants" have been barely staying alive this year; as in Laurent. So the next classy restaurant would be doomed from the get go and go the way of Laurents. Remember Manuel's? Some people loved that one, too........but not enough of them to keep him in business.

I suspect people simply don't have the inclination to spend as much dining out as they used to.

Look at the bright side: at least Joe's Cafe will have the pleasant decor that Laurent's put in.

Now correct me if I am wrong but wasn't Laurents in like somebodies back yard........

No, it was in the Casa Blanca Hotel and the decor is very nice.

From the Casa Blanca website:
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David wrote:No, it was in the Casa Blanca Hotel and the decor is very nice.

Sorry I was thinking of El Jardín de Ninette.

CanuckBob wrote:

David wrote:No, it was in the Casa Blanca Hotel and the decor is very nice.

Sorry I was thinking of El Jardín de Ninette.

Perhaps you're thinking of the predecessor of Laurent, in an Evento setting, much like a backyard. It was called Gasconade in those days .
Chinagreengo's picture says it all. Very pretty.

The predecessor of Laurent was La Gasconade owned by the same owner. He had that restaurant in a house. I never ate there.

Prior to that La Gasconade was on the Carretera next to Modelorama in San Antonio, quite a small place. We went with about 6 people, took forever to get our food, it was mediocre and his wife had a rotten attitude with customers. They went out of business.

Manuel's was supposed to be a Gourmet restaurant and he was a 5 star Michelin chef. A very pretentious restaurant. He had that restaurant in a nicely renovated house. I never ate there, but knew the house because one of our Homeowners owned it and renovated it. High prices for very little portions. The few people who could afford it liked it. He moved to Cabo and opened a restaurant where he could screw the rich.

Both Laurent and Manuel are excellent chefs. We enjoyed their food very much. Sadly, both gone now to greener pastures.

Manuel's had a few problems. Went once with a party of five. They provided absolutely nothing to munch on. Wine service was prompt and pointedly frequent, but we waited two and a half hours for the entrees to arrive. Completely unwarranted wait. They were obviously pimping for more alcohol orders. I was feeling used. A teetotaler would be starving.

Portions were small: prices high. The fans were enthusiastic, but there were not enough of them. I wouldn't say it is because people around here are cheap: they are willing to pay but expect the service, ambiance and above all, the FOOD, to justify the price. We used to gladly pay outrageous prices at a place called Landeta, several miles outside of San Miguel, located in an ancient stone former convent. The Italian chef was a master: the raviolis were being made fresh in a corner and served right from the pan. The wines were well worth the price. Entrees from heaven. When a restaurant has you salivating in retrospect or in anticipation.......they can charge anything within reason.

Just my cranky opinion.