La Ferme

Love you Gilles, Yves, and Douglas. We miss you and will never forget La Fermes. It was one of my favorite places on earth. Nothing lasts forever, but Susan and I will never forget you!!!

Our first French restaurant experience and it was wonderful! The food was outstanding, the country inn atmosphere made us feel like we were somewhere special, and the staff was great and friendly. Can’t wait to go back! Fun experience and the money spent was was well worth it.

This restaurant is perfect! Servers are patient, attentive, and they perfectly communicate the dinning experience. My wife and feel important every time we dine here. Each bite is mouth watering and delicious! Homemade butter dude, homemade butter!

Returning after an absence of 3 years expectations were high for an exceptional meal. What I’ve learned is be careful what you wish for: The meal was indeed exceptional unfortunately not in a good way. The first disappointment was the appetizer of French onion soup. Apparently the cook believes that since he is French, any soup he prepares with onions thrown in qualifies. What was served however was neither a traditional nor a tasty soup. It was a bowl of chicken stock with chunks of un-​caramelized onions along with a few indistinct herbs tossed in. This concoction was then poured over a few croutons and finished off with a little cheese grated over the top. My dining companions’ chose the watermelon salad (two) and a salmon plate (one). They were both good but at $ 18 for about 10 melon balls and a teaspoon or two of micro-​greens, the salad really wasn’t worth it.
Next came the entrée. I was quite satisfied with my steak. A very tender piece of meat cooked to medium rare perfection. The three other entrees ordered were braised lamb. The pieces were very small, about 2 ½ inches in diameter but the bigger problem was that one of the pieces was literally 70 — 75% fat. At first we didn’t think that would be a problem. We were sure that upon returning it to the kitchen, the chef would see the problem and replace the meal. We couldn’t have been more wrong. He said it was perfectly fine and we had to pay for it whether or not it was eaten. This response was outrageous and unethical.
Given the number of empty tables on a Friday night, the much diminished wine list, the inexperienced wait staff (though they were very friendly and made quite an effort to be helpful), and the drastic decline in food quality, I will not be surprised if this restaurant soon closes — as it should.

We had really enjoyed this restaurant a couple of years ago when we went for my birthday. This year we decided to go for my birthday again with another couple, but the restaurant is no longer worth the time or money.
The chef is still here, but his partner seemed to be in absentia. The wine list is almost non-​existent — few if any French wines (surprising for a French restaurant) and only a couple of California in any given category. This was in complete contrast to our experience a couple of years ago.
Also, on our prior visit, the restaurant was quite busy. This last Friday night, few tables were occupied. In spite of this, we arrived 6 minutes before our reservation time and were told to wait to be seated, since the chef ‘has his rules’.
The $ 18.00 watermelon salad consisted of a few small watermelon balls and a few sprigs of mint and herbs. It was very small, and was rather bland. The onion soup was insipid — I have tasted better canned. Onions not carmelized, watery chicken stock (canned?)
The salmon and wasabi appetizer was decent, however.
We ordered a filet mignon which was also pretty good. Not spectacular, but decent. The fried potatoes were horrible — grease-​saturated, limp, flavorless.
The three lamb dishes were also uninspired. The lamb was tender, but tasted like it might have been boiled or braised in water. The ‘sauce’ it came with had no flavor to speak of. Each piece of lamb was maybe two and a half inches in diameter. Mine was about 70% fat. No joke. A 2 ½ inch piece of lamb shoulder fat. We sent mine back, obviously. The chef told the waitress to tell us he would not accept it back since he thought it was a perfectly edible piece of lamb shoulder which should be expected to be mostly fat (!!!) We were to pay for it, whether we refused to eat it or not.
This sorry excuse for a meal was over $ 300.00. Yes, the ambience was fine and the waitresses were polite and helpful.
It is a mystery as to what happened between the first visit and now. The missing co-​owner may have something to do with it, but who knows? My guess is they are planning to close this restaurant within the year. In any case, we are NEVER going back.

We came here with my husband’s work! It was a very small dining area, but it was beautiful how they set everything up.
We ordered the ratatouille appetizer and I got the spicy curry crab cakes. It was so delicious. The crab cakes had a little spice to them which was nice.
The ratatouille was a cold dish but very refreshing!
My husband got the rabbit and I got the salmon in lobster sauce with fettuccine.
The rabbit was amazing! Came out hot and very full of flavor. My dish was a little on the cold side. I think I was the only one that ordered that, but I’m not too sure. I’m sure it’s pretty hard to serve almost 50 people all at once.
Most everyone got the filet with pomme frites. Some of there filets came out perfectly cooked others came out cooked too long. It was interesting that everyone’s fries came out in a community type bowl. But then again I’m sure they were trying to bring all the food out at the same time, but serving 50 people at once must of been challenging. One of the managers of the company said the fries were a little short so he asked if they could make another bowl. They did and it was great.
The service was great. The girls were very hip and nice, one girl had dreads in her hair and another girl had a tattoo on her chest of a music scale with notes. We did have the whole restaurant to ourselves so you can see how small it is. Everything about Genoa is amazing though. I would love to live there.

WARNING: If you’re reading reviews, check the most recent. Whatever La Ferme once was, it is no more. I’ve dined with Gilles since he first moved to Nevada from LA and operated at Incline Village, Lake Tahoe. It’s been 17 years that he’s been in Genoa and tonight I resolved, «never again.»
The service was amateur night, at best. I’ve had better service at a roadside diner. Inattentive, disorganized. Aside from «water or San Pelligrino», no one offered drinks or wine. The wine list, when it was delivered on request, was a joke: 5 or 6 red wines (one crossed out by hand) and not a single European wine (this is a French restaurant?). At the end of the meal, no one offered desert or coffee. Someone we hadn’t seen all evening came to the table and asked if the check had been picked up, when no one had yet brought it. She acknowledged that it was her second day and no one was training her.
The food? Uneven. The first courses were very good. The entrees, mixed. My wife ordered the duck, medium rare. It was delivered cooked to well done in some parts, while other portions were so undercooked as to be alarmingly raw (can anyone say Salmonella?). When brought to the attention of the chef (Gilles was nowhere to be seen), he huffed and puffed and spun off in a peevish tiff.
This used to be a reliably fine dining establishment. Something’s gone terribly wrong. Needless to say, we will not be back. Ever!

The food is magical. This is pretty much everything I want in a restaurant (food wise). We shared the ratatouille and enjoyed a glass of Cabernet. Husband and I both ordered the house favorites: filet and lasagna. The portions are petite but the food is perfectly rich. Admittedly, I may have wanted to lick the plates, but I had to act like a lady. Acted on the recommendation from our server and happily ended our meal with apricot pie and house made ice cream. So happy! Bliss.

WOW! What an evening! Had the special sole that Chef Yves brought in for the evening. All three of us had the sole. Perfectly prepared; service beyond comparison; and ambience of old Nevada. My fish was ordered med rare and was flaking off and perfectly cooked. Gilles came by for a visit — we did a little shopping in the boutique — and we could not imagine a more wonderful evening out. We are back home in Ft Myers FL, and I am STILL euphoric!
JJ Ft Myers.

We have dined there several times previously and were looking forward to an awesome Valentine’s Day Dinner. Very disappointed. Waitresses very aloof and distant. Food OK but not something special as in the past. Small servings in huge plates. Perhaps because Mr. Gilles was nowhere to be seen. Bill for two over $ 200.

My ex boyfriend took me here for Valentine’s Day! This place is amazing. All the food was delicious. We ordered the goat cheese salad, Foie Gras appetizer, crab /​shrimp cakes, wild boar entrée, duck entrée & the bread pudding for dessert. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! All of it! We also had great service. Definitely will be back & now one of my new favorites for this area!

I have to admit that it was grate experience
food splendidly all 3– appetizer, entrée and dessert :)
server very proper (better do not put your elbows on the table) i like :)
I go back there every year and it is always the same– is worth
bon appetit !

Don’t go until Gilles is back. The place has gone to hell without him.
Let me say first that we were here a year or two ago, and the experience then was exquisite. Charming in every way. All those reviews that rave about the atmosphere, the food… yes. Gilles was there, overseeing things.
This time? Instead of wait staff who know when to appear and when to disappear, we had two young women with attitude. The cocktail was meh. My husband got the rabbit; he said, «eh». I got the duck with foie gras… the duck slices were a little stale, and the foie gras was charcoal. What the heck? I asked the waitress to please get me a gently-​cooked piece of foie gras; she came back and said the chef refused. So I poked out a bit from the middle and tried it. Of course he refused — the foie gras was almost rancid, and should never have made it onto a plate. (In case you’re wondering, I’ve eaten pounds and pounds of foie gras in France.) We left most of the chocolate dessert on the plate. The cream for the coffee had gone bad.

La Ferme is an experience that will take you out of Northern Nevada without ever leaving. I’m so fortunate to have a loving fiancée who chose to take me here for a very special birthday surprise.
The beauty of the Carson Valley was something that struck me in my first year living here. I was traveling to Gardnerville for work, and as I came over the hill at the south end of Carson City, I was amazed by the lush green fields, clear blue skies, and magnificent snowcapped mountains that surround this place. And I couldn’t think of a better place for a beautiful restaurant like La Ferme to call home.
The town of Genoa is quaint and very country, tucked right up against the Sierras, and La Ferme, or the farm in French, just seems to fit right in. The buildings are historic, dating back to 1904, and owner Gilles has preserved this in the building by maintaining the original beams, fireplaces, and much of the structure. Inside the front door you enter the parlor complete with a beautiful bar, crackling fireplace, red carpet, low lighting, antique furniture, and dark wood beams, all of which make this a very warm and inviting space. From glancing around, you can tell Gilles loves his chickens! I dare anyone to count all of them!
The dining room is another stunning space, with old stone walls, a high vaulted wooden ceiling, fireplace, and many more rustic touches and tasteful décor. And though this is a nicer restaurant with excellent service and ambiance, it is most definitely not stuffy. The choice of music and lovely servers make you feel right at home.
Since it was a special occasion, we pretty much ordered the whole menu. The meal started with a complimentary appetizer of duck liver mousse and pickled onions with house flatbread. The mousse was rich and tasted of what you were in eating a delicious way, and the onions made a perfect compliment.
For appetizers we ordered the quail salad, foie gras, and warm goat cheese with hazelnuts. All were delicious, but I think the goat cheese and whole roasted hazelnuts was my favorite. For main course we ordered wild boar shank, rabbit dijonaise, grilled salmon special for two, and a filet with bernaise. Everything was delicious, but my rabbit was the favorite. It was a beautifully braised leg and a roasted loin wrapped in bacon served over a sweet and spicy sauce with some roasted root vegetables. Easily the definition of winter! The salmon and filet were perfectly cooked and the bernaise sauce was herbaceous with dill and tarragon, and rich! I couldn’t stop dipping frites in to it. Then came dessert, and we ordered the chocolate tart, floating island, and crème brûlée. The crème brûlée was silky smooth, rich and decadent. Best I’ve ever had. But the tart was something to behold! It almost had the consistency of a candy bar just before melting, and when you took a bite, it did finish melting in your mouth.
This is a meal I will not soon forget, and we’re already planning a return visit in the warmer months to sit on the patio, sip wine, and enjoy the Genoa countryside.
Thank you Ashley for a beautiful birthday! I will not forget it!

If you’re looking for a hidden gem of a dining experience in the Washoe Valley, look no further! La Ferme is just lovely…
Upon arriving we were greeted at the door with our first names and a happy birthday wish — they had been expecting us (yes, I made a reservation). The parlor area is warm and cozy, decorated for the holidays, fire place blazing, but still plenty of country flair. We were walked into the dining room and seated at a roomy table for 4. The dining room itself only has about 10 tables, so this is obviously a personalized and intimate dining experience.
Naturally, we ordered almost everything on the menu — starters included the quail salad, foie gras, and warm goat cheese salad. We passed these small plates around 4 people and there was a good couple of bites for each person. The goat cheese was melt in your mouth delicious, accompanied by nicely dressed greens and whole hazelnuts for some crunch and nuttiness. The foie was beautifully cooked and served with a generous portion of stewed apples cabbage — yum! The quail was the least favorite dish of the night. not that it wasn’t good, it was just somewhat bland and seemingly uninspired.
Entrees: again, we tried to order as many things from the menu as possible — rabbit, filet mignon, salmon for 2 (the special entrée of the evening), and wild boar. Everything was divine! The salmon and the filet were both PERFECTLY cooked, accompanied by the most succulent and indulgent bernaise sauce. The rabbit was probably the best dish of the night — I don’t even usually care for rabbit but this was just scrumptious, served with a delicious sauce, smokey and savory. The boar looked good but I did not try any as I was too full by the time it was passed around.
Dessert: Obviously even if you are full to the max, there is still room for dessert, of which we ordered 3! Lemon cloud, chocolate tart, and crème brûlée. Each dessert was seriously delicious but OMG the crème brûlée. Perfectly executed, served in the deepest crème brûlée pot, perfect sugar crust and the smoothest custard! Flawless.
The meal was outstanding! Probably one of the best meals I have had in the area. We will definitely be going back for special occasions. With one bottle of wine and three courses per person (4 people), the bill was about $ 400, or $ 100pp. Definitely a finer dining experience, but worth every penny! French-​style, farm-​fresh country food in Genoa for the win!

Was in the area, decided to have cocktails and ended up staying for dinner. In all, the food was five (plus!) stars with just a few hiccups.
Cold night in November; inside a cozy fire and antique living room-​esque setup to enjoy our drinks (best Manhattan I’ve ever had, and I’ve had quite a few in my day…). This alone was lovely. I could have stayed here for hours! The staff of two made sure our party of four were well taken care-​of, and brought us a menu to tempt us to stay for dinner. It worked.
Each of us tried something different. I had the rack of lamb and beet salad. I look at cooking like any other art — you can go to school to study the craft but you really either have the talent or you don’t. This guy has the talent. Everything involving the food (for all four of us) was incredible. Remarkable. Flavors and presentation the best of the best. Oh — and did I mention that they bring a nice complimentary appetizer of duck pâté and accompaniments? And amazing French bread with cultured butter?
The service throughout dinner was good — not great, but very good. A bit disappointed with wine selection. Hence the star loss. A little over $ 300 for the four of us so be prepared for that. But so worth it.

Lord, what a special jewel in a forgotten corner of the Sierras.
A winge-​y leaning Victorian house with fires roaring and lithe girls in black aprons whisk you to a table. Elegant and elite food amidst a real France feeling farmhouse. Start at the oldest bar in Nevada across the road, just mind the odd rooster or wild deer walking down the old tree lined road. On a blustery Fall day this place is too good to be true — hansel and gretel ate here?

La Ferme is the best place for dinner in Northern Nevada. Bring the spouse on your anniversary.
The owner is charming and friendly, so long as you recognize the kind of place you’re in and act accordingly. La Ferme is not where you show up in a tee shirt and flip flops. Wear a jacket and tie or a dress. Leave your phone in the car. Don’t be loud or obnoxious or entitled.
The food is worth the song and dance, though. There’s nothing else like it in this state north of Vegas. The menu is seasonal, and all the ingredients are fresh, often from their own garden right in the back. Really a wonderful place for special occasions.

Last night I had the best dinner I’ve had in the Carson Valley over the last 25 years, and it was at La Ferme. Sure, there are folks that would find something to be concerned about, but, on this night, it wasn’t me.
If you like details, read on, if you don’t, just know that it’s the best I’ve had in the valley, and I like to get out and eat.
We made our reservation the day before, and I would strongly suggest that you do this, as this is a very small room, and I’m sure that planning on the customer’s part allows them to plan for you. On this night, all of the customers (all 11 of us) arrived between 6:30 and 7:30. We arrived early and enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc in the parlor. It was a very relaxing way to begin our evening.
We had also brought our wine for the evening and we already knew that it would be a $ 20 corkage. We do this often, and we don’t mind the fee. As we arrived we handed our wine over to the owner and he promptly opened it, knowing that we weren’t going to begin to drink it for 30 or 40 minutes.
Once we were seated we were served a starter plate. It featured a piece of flat bread, and three small cups filled with pickled onions, pickled cucumbers, and cubes of beef gelatin. This was unexpected and very appreciated.
We enjoyed the starters and then we decided on two appetizers, and we enjoyed them both. We had the Seared Foie Gras Salad, Orange Vinaigrette, Potato Chips ($ 22) and A Dozen Of Escargots «Beurre D Ail», Tiny Salad ($ 20). Both of these were incredible, and we were provided bread so that we could soak up all the very tasty flavors. Incredible. By now we’ve got the wine we brought (Silver Oak 2000 that they don’t have on their wine list) poured, and we are well on our way to a great evening.
My wife and I always share our meals, thus meaning I always get more than she does. She knows this, accepts this, and we live happily with this relationship, although she’ll probably tell you that I live more happily than she does.
On this evening we are sharing two great entrees. We’ve decided on the Braised Beef Cheek «Marchand De Vin» ($ 32) and the 7 Hour Pork Shoulder, Sweet Apricots, Fresh Ginger, Orange Blossom ($ 30). Let me say that these were both so well cooked that they fell apart on contact with the fork. Both featured a very unique combination of tastes that left both my wife and I reaching for the bread to enjoy every last drop of both dishes. Suffice it to say that the wine we brought was pairing nicely with both dishes, and, so you know, my wife does not feel the same need to allow me to get the lion’s share of the wine. It’s a bad thing, but I can’t shake her from this. I will continue to try.
This is not Claim Jumper, and so the portions are of a very nice and appropriate size. We had room for desert, and, as you already know, we shared this as well. We had bread pudding and a duo of chocolate. Again, both were great. The chocolate was a dark intense chocolate ice cream served in a cookie shell and there was a petite cup half filled with a dark chocolate ganache (I think it was ganache, I’m no expert on this, but it was a thick chocolate syrup) with whipped cream on top. We were instructed to dig to the bottom to make sure that we got both flavors in a single bite; this was well worth the effort. Both of these desserts were garnished with lightly toasted caramelized bananas. The bread pudding also featured fresh mangos. We had decided to have a 20-​year port with this course, and this was another very good decision.
So, what happened next? We paid our tab and went to the Genoa Bar for a final round with some friends.
Having read some of my fellow Unilocalers reviews, and reading of their frustrations, one can only wonder about the apparent differences in the experiences. My experience was clearly not theirs, and based on the great meal that I had, I would hope that others would make reservations, venture to the somewhat isolated town of Genoa, NV and enjoy a great evening. My wife and I have been blessed to add another wonderful night out to the list of great experiences. We will be back as this was the best meal that we’ve ever eaten in the Carson Valley, and I’ve had some meals.

Gayle’s Family has lived in Genoa well before 1998 when La Ferme opened. However, it was only last night when she and I first visited this 1904 guest house that was once part of the original 1884 Pink House (next door). I immediately knew that Gayle would love La Ferme when we first entered to see the red-​accented bar area, the adjacent living room lounge area, and the soft and nicely chosen mostly French music in the background. I could easily see future visits here where Gayle’s Yin would be at the Bar for a Bombay Sapphire Martini, while my Yang would be across the street at the Genoa Bar for a beer.
La Ferme is run by Gilles LaGourge and Chef Yves Gigot, who go back a long way in the restaurant business. This includes successful ventures at L’Orangerie in Beverly Hills and the first La Ferme in Incline Village. There’s a picture of Elizabeth Taylor near the kitchen door and it appeared that some of our fellow diners were long time repeat customers. I was told by Gayle’s Mom (who knows Gilles) that folks come from long distances to enjoy this fine dining experience. I might add that after visiting his Boutique, some might also come for his exquisite taste in art, jewelry, and accessories. The other thing I noticed is that although the wait staff was friendly and efficient, the overall service soars as Gilles takes on multiple roles including serving courses, playing host, and attending to the various details of the evening.
Gayle and I were joined for Dinner by her Mother, Brother, and his Wife. It was a wonderful evening and one of those special occasions when the food, service, and meal conversations came together in a very pleasant way. We were especially pleased that even with a full dining room, the overall noise level was low, and the Family conversations were easy to hear and enjoy. I also kept looking at and admiring all the French Country décor which also served the purpose of soaking up the noise.
The food is a little pricey, and so it goes with special fine dining experiences. However, during limited times La Ferme does offer a $ 35 Special, that includes choice of 3 appetizers, 3 entrees, and desserts, plus coffee and a glass of wine.
Our food was fabulous as Gayle relished her Lamb and I enjoyed the Salmon. Other delicious dishes at our Table included a light Onion Soup with Grated Pecorino, Beef Fillet (with Frites), and Braised Pork Shoulder «Aigre Doux». We also ordered 2 desserts for the entire table, of which we could not finish. Those amazing meal codas included a goat cheese cheese cake and a chocolate pudding and mousse combination.
I’m sure that we’ll be back and maybe starting with some pleasant couples time in the bar and a visit to Gilles’ Boutique next door. I’d also like another chance to chat with those cute (and big) Great Pyrenees dogs, who were talking a little too loudly last night. Then in the summer, there’s the possibility of strolling through the Garden and otherwise savoring this culinary and cultural oasis yet again.