- Attraction: Le Chateau
- Location: 410 Cass St, La Crosse, WI 54601
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://lechateaulacrosse.com/
Culinary adventures await inside Wisconsin’s oldest historical home. Le Chateau operates within the historic Mons Anderson House, where authentic French cuisine meets Gothic Revival architecture in an unforgettable dining experience.
Built in 1854 by stonemason Alexander W. Shephard and later transformed by Norwegian immigrant Mons Anderson into one of La Crosse’s most elegant mansions, this stone fortress now houses three distinct dining concepts under one remarkable roof.
You’ll discover fine French dining upstairs in Le Chateau’s elegant dining rooms, craft cocktails in the basement speakeasy La Cave, and seasonal outdoor dining on La Terrace.
The building’s stunning Gothic Revival details – from ornate plasterwork and parquet floors to French plate glass windows and imported marble fireplaces – create an atmosphere that transports you straight to a European château.
Menu Highlights
Classic French Foundations: You’ll find traditional escargot served in shells with parsley and garlic butter, alongside expertly seared foie gras paired with caramelized onions and fresh figs. The French onion soup arrives properly gratinéed with Gruyère cheese, while the seasonal menu rotates to showcase the freshest ingredients available.
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Keep Exploring →Signature Entrées: The Magret de canard steals the show – duck breast seared to perfection with bourbon blackberry sauce, duchess potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. Seafood lovers gravitate toward the Pacific striped bass with fennel, spinach, and Carpano beurre blanc, or the grilled shrimp with orange tequila honey glaze over quinoa salad.
Wellington Specialties: The restaurant’s beef roulade impresses with its intricate preparation – beef rolled with prosciutto, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan, served alongside dauphinoise potatoes. The lamb wellington has earned particular acclaim for its flaky pastry and tender meat combination.
Steak Frites Excellence: The 12-ounce ribeye with French fries represents classic bistro cooking at its finest, with options to add shrimp or scallops for an elevated experience. Each plate achieves that perfect balance of flavors that defines exceptional French cuisine.
Dessert Perfection: The crème brûlée selections include both vanilla bean and espresso varieties, each torched to order with that satisfying sugar crack. The chocolate silk pie with its cookie crust and toasted meringue provides a sophisticated finish to your meal.
La Cave – The Underground Experience
Speakeasy Atmosphere: Descending the spiral staircase into La Cave feels like entering a secret world. This basement bar occupies the mansion’s original 1854 foundation, creating an intimate stone cellar atmosphere that’s both cozy and mysterious.
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Discover MoreCraft Cocktail Theater: The bartenders create signature drinks with impressive flair, including the famous Bourbon Old Fashioned served in a glass smoked with hickory chips. You’ll watch them craft unique concoctions using house-made bitters and artisanal ingredients that can’t be found elsewhere in La Crosse.
Wine Cellar Selection: The French wine collection receives constant updates from the in-house sommelier, ensuring perfect pairings for both upstairs dining and casual cave drinking. Happy hour runs from 3 pm to 6 pm, making it an ideal spot for pre-dinner cocktails.
Waterfall Restroom: Even the bathroom becomes part of the experience with its surprising waterfall feature that adds to the underground cave ambiance.
Atmosphere & Historic Setting
Mansion Grandeur: Each dining room occupies a different section of the historic mansion, from the intimate library setting to the main floor’s elegant formal rooms. The building’s Gothic Revival architecture includes lancet windows, vaulted ceilings, and hand-carved details that create an unmistakably European feeling.
Multiple Dining Spaces: The main floor divides into four separate dining rooms, each with its own character and historic charm. Private dining options are available on the upper levels, while La Terrace provides outdoor seating in the mansion’s backyard garden setting.
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Keep Exploring →Romantic Ambiance: The combination of historic architecture, candlelit tables, and European styling creates perfect conditions for special occasions and romantic dinners. The unhurried pace allows you to fully appreciate both the food and the remarkable surroundings.
European Transport: The authentic French service style and carefully curated atmosphere make you feel like you’ve stepped into a château in the French countryside rather than a restaurant in Wisconsin.
Other Considerations
Upscale Pricing: Expect to invest in the experience – entrées range from the mid-$20s to upper $40s, reflecting both the quality ingredients and the unique historic setting. The pricing aligns with fine dining establishments, but the combination of exceptional food, historic atmosphere, and three-venue experience provides solid value for special occasions.
Reservation Strategy: Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend dining. The restaurant operates Tuesday through Saturday from 5 pm to 9 pm, with La Cave opening earlier at 3 pm for happy hour service.
Dress Code Flexibility: While the atmosphere leans elegant, you don’t need formal attire. The crowd ranges from casual to dressy, allowing you to dress for your comfort level while still feeling appropriate in the sophisticated setting.
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Discover MoreSpecial Events: The restaurant hosts seasonal celebrations like Bastille Week, featuring multi-course dinners with wine pairings. These special events often sell out quickly and provide even more immersive French dining experiences.
Parking Convenience: Street parking is available in the downtown La Crosse area, though weekend evenings may require a short walk from your parking spot to the restaurant.
Seasonal Variations: The outdoor La Terrace operates weather permitting, typically during warmer months. The seasonal menu changes ensure you’ll find different specialties depending on when you visit.
Le Chateau
📍 410 Cass St, La Crosse, WI 54601
