The City of Brea in southern California is proud of its landmark: An unusual looking building with thick exposed wood beams and interlaced wood and plaster walls called “ colombage” in French. It is the exact replica of a still working farmhouse close to the small town of Bayeux in Normandie, France. This is also the place that the restaurant “La Vie En Rose” calls home.
The building and the restaurant were established 27 years ago by Jacques Borel, a famous French entrepreneur. Jacques Borel was a visionary but not a great businessman. He soon realized that he needed an experienced manager. He interviewed Louis Laulhere, a French native from the Pyrenees region. Louis Laulhere had traveled the world, managed everything from small storefront to the finest dining establishments in Europe and the States. For several years he had been the top executive of the biggest names of the restaurant industry. When Jacques Borel and Louis Laulhere met, the timing appeared perfect. Louis was tired of constantly flying coast to coast. He had been a top executive and now he wanted to spend more time with his family and also was looking forward to utilizing his experience in a hands-on approach. Louis Laulhere was full of ideas to turn the restaurant around; unfortunately Jacques Borel was not ready to embrace Louis’ suggestions. Louis Laulhere did not get the job, but he did better. A year later he purchased “La Vie En Rose”.
Louis had total faith in the potential of La Vie En Rose. He immersed himself in the rehabilitation project. He completed the second floor of the restaurant. The finished building is enormous: 16,000 square feet. In addition to the main dining room, which can seat about 80 guests, La Vie En Rose has 6 private rooms: The Wine Room, which doubles as wine cellar, is tastefully decorated with handcrafted wine cases and can accommodate up to 40 guests. The charming Colombier Room, 16’ octagonal, with booths around its perimeter, is perfect for a cocktail party of up to 38 guests.
Then there is the Mansarde Room also referred, as “The Loft” is a quaint upstairs room, which offers complete privacy. It comfortably accommodates up to 20 guests. The Grand Salon with its lovely antique hutch and delicate miniature lights emphasizing the coffered ceiling accommodates 40 to100 guests. The Lavender Room decorated in a delicate floral print, all in shades of Lavender, has a cozy feel. It takes up to 48 people and the elegant Summer Room is very versatile with a number of different seating arrangements available. It accommodates 40 guests.
When you walk into the restaurant today, you are immediately taken by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The foyer is spacious, has a large brick fireplace and comfortable armchairs. The decoration is tasteful. A hostess will welcome you and ask where you want to be seated: “-may be a small booth away from the traffic for a romantic tete a tete or a table by a window to enjoy the garden”. To groups of up to seven, she will recommend one of the alcoves on the side of the dining room, for more privacy. LA V IE EN ROSE has the right spot for everyone.
The service is prompt. The wait staff is knowledgeable and sophisticated. The menu is written in French and English and list thoroughly all ingredients used in the dish. However if in doubt, feel free to ask any question to your server. He will gladly help you with your selection. When ready to order you have several options: A la Carte or a choice of prix fixe menus. Prix fixe menus are not restrictive; they let you choose among 8 main courses plus the specials of the day.
The cuisine of La Vie En Rose is authentic French cuisine, like you would enjoy in a five Star Auberge in Normandie. Among the starters our favorites are the “assiette charcutiere”: home made country style pate, duck mousse, French salami, Etorki & St Agur cheese, also the smoked salmon with capers & shallots, and the snails in garlic herb butter. Delicious soups: onion soup”gratinated” with French bread and Swiss emmental cheese, “soupe roi soleil” baked mushroom soup topped with pastry shell and the lobster bisque with cognac. All types of meat are represented on the menu: hearty beef bourguignon, mock tender filet mignon with béarnaise sauce, sautéed veal tenderloin with glazed apple calvados sauce, roasted rack of lamb with garlic and rosemary and crispy duck legs confit with port wine reduction. A large selection of seafood is offered: grilled salmon with a Chardonnay dill sauce, seared sea scallops with lemon parsley butter sauce, Shrimp scampi with garlic and sun dried tomatoes…. All entrees are served with fresh vegetables, baby carrots, slender green beans, asparagus, and small young potatoes.
La Vie EN Rose has a full time Pastry Chef. Pastries are baked fresh daily, like in France. The “voiture de patisseries “ carries everything a sweet tooth gourmet can dream of: Napoleons, éclairs, meringues, fresh fruit tartelettes, decadent chocolate cake and many more.
Enjoy your meal the French way, take your time, pause, chat with your dining companions, no one will try to steal your plate as soon as you put your fork down. Whether you visit the restaurant for lunch or dinner, chances are that you will have the opportunity to meet Louis Laulhere. Twenty three years of hard work have not tempered his passion for the restaurant business and particularly his love affair with La Vie En Rose. You will see Louis walking the restaurant, joking and conversing with customers and assisting with food and wine choices.
La Vie En Rose has a full bar and a large collection of fine wines. Monday to Friday Enjoy Happy hour for 4 to 6.30 with Happy Bites, delicious small appetizers. Every Friday 7 to 9 PM, live music.
Check the web page www.lavrose.com for special events like the dinner and complementary movie, the Polynesian evening or Bastille Day celebration. Of course seating is limited; make sure to call for reservation
La Vie En Rose is located 240 s. State College Blvd Brea, Ca 92821 TEL (714) 529 8333 FAX (714) 529 2751 www.lavnrose.com
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