Le Grenier

So, like many an Islander, I have been sick for weeks. It is a weird chest thing that teeters on Bronchitis in moments. It has made my usual routine an absolute annoyance. I haven’t been able to row, work has been a drag, anything social or volunteer activities consume far too much energy, cleaning my house drains me, and cooking — well, isn’t it nice to live in town…?

One day, with a fresh burst of energy, I cooked up a storm and produced food to last me a week. However, once it was gone, I was back to square one. One night I ordered take-out from Zephrus. But this week my sick state was craving my mom’s Hungarian chicken soup. Unfortunately, mom is not here. So, the nearest late evening local I could think of that might have a clear hot broth, was Le Grenier.

I wandered in with not much energy to spare around 9 pm. They accommodated me beautifully, even though the waitresses were totally in the weeds. I put in my order for French Onion Soup (Onion Soup Gratinée, which the online menu totes at $9, but this year’s in-house restaurant menu has it at $10). I also ordered their Mushroom Ravioli, and a Demi Caesar. I stood in the entry and waited for my food.

Within minutes I was told that the onion soup could not be served in a to-go order! What! That was the whole reason I had attended this restaurant. (In the past I had ordered onion soup to-go from The Newes in Edgartown.) I was so disappointed, but I rolled with it and ordered instead a mushroom bisque, which in the end was far too salty, at least for me.

I then asked if I should pay with cash or an Island check. I was promptly told by my fit blond waitress in a rather curt manner, that they have accepted credit cards for 30 years, should I want to use one. (Yikes!) Happily, I did want to use one. I paid, received my wares in a Cronig’s paper bag and was on my way, with my soup in a plastic cup.

My only question remains: Though Le Grenier and Zephrus are wonderful when you dine-in. Why do such fine dining restaurants serve less than perfect food when it is ordered as carry out? My salad was a slight bit wilty (but I think the anchovies were happy enough on top of the salad), the raviolis were the savior of the meal, they were amazing, and the soup was too salty, as previously mentioned.

With Café Moxie gone - where else in VH can I go at 9 pm for a prepared soup? The options are slim. We take what we can get out here on the rock.