Handcrafted Food, Wine & European Hospitality
Bonjour, I am John Barbier, chef and owner of the Moulin Rouge Restaurant, Amy's Courtyard and Maison Belle la Vie Vineyards. My family is from the beautiful Loire Valley, a region known for food and wine making excellence in France. My ancestors have been making good things to eat and drink for a very long time! In fact, the first vineyards were planted 1600 years ago by St. Martin at his abbey. During the Renaissance, the wealthy built castles and ate well, artisan food producers prospered, and over time the fertile Loire River Valley became famous for fine produce, bread and goat cheese.
I love good food. I started studying the culinary profession at age 16. After graduating in 1996, I said "adieu" to my family and moved to the U.S. In 1999, I opened my first French restaurant in the charming community of Glenwood Springs. Several years later, friends and family convinced me to move to Grand Junction where I opened the current location of Moulin Rouge. I am grateful that people love the authentic dishes we serve, many are prepared from my dear grandmere's provincial recipes… seasonal, garden fresh, simple, and tasty.