Beechwood Inn, French Lick

We were delighted to find ourselves at Beechwood Inn. The building is beautiful. We were seated in the library. Our server, Jessica, was attentive and charming. She recommended the soup, and we were far from disappointed. It was superb. We ordered the scallops and the duck. The scallops were grilled perfectly, and were truly tasty. The duck was mouthwatering. It had just the right crisp, and the orange sauce was dazzling. They have a nice wine list, and a full bar. We both had a martini. Beechwood infuses vodka with fruits for martinis. Jessica recommended the sweet tart. We loved it. I also tried the french martini, and I was not let down. The ambience was just right. The prices were unbelievably a bang for your buck. I cannot wait to go back, and I recommend it highly to all.

The Beechwood building is beautiful. It is just large enough to have presence, but not so large as to appear gaudy or imposing. I was told, the same person responsible for building the West Baden hotel in 1901, had Beechwood built to be his personal residence. We were greeted by a very nice lady named Betty. She was both hostess and server. Throughout the meal she was very attentive, sincere and sweet. Betty’s sincerity stood out, especially in contrast to an earlier meal elsewhere, where the waitress wore an obviously glued on smile and permanent laugh that cried out “I hate you tourists!.” The atmosphere is warm and cozy. At first it seemed dark and a little eerie (it looks like the very place Col. Mustard killed so and so with the candlestick.) However, after a few minutes your eyes adjust and the light from the fireplace illuminates old regional photographs, a little library collection and beautiful styling on both the wood walls and intricate ceiling. In a nutshell: We both ate, olive bread, shared a great appetizer, enjoyed fresh salads, well prepared entrees all while enjoying a unique beautiful setting, being helped by wonderful employees. When the meal was over, the chef even came out to see how we liked it. When comparing this $50 dinner (including tip, no alcohol) to dinner at our hotel’s signature fancy schmansee Northern Italian cuisine that came in at $110 (including tip + bottle of low end wine), there’s no contest. It’s true you’ll get more complex flavors and a more “mature” meal at the expensive place. However, one thing you don’t have to deal with at Beechwood is a pretentious waitress, six dollar water, and a surprising level of discomfort. I enjoyed the Beechwood experience more than any other place we ate over the course of four days. While the food may clock in around a 7 out of 10 compared to 9 out of 10 at the more expensive place, having a genuine staff, engaged chef, and a cozier dining environment really makes the difference. I’ll be sure to stop by Beechwood for dinner next time I’m in the Paoli Peaks, West Baden, French Lick area of Indiana. If their Bed and Breakfast is as enjoyable as their dining, it would be worth your while to book a night’s sleep there. Overall, this is a great place with great service at a great value that’s left a positive impression well after the experience. A lasting positive impression, how rare is that these days?

I have not stayed at the Inn as a guest, but have eaten there several times. The food is well prepared and displayed, with a small, but varied selection of dishes. The chef takes advantage of seasonal fresh local food, so the menu really reflects the tastes of southern Indiana. The staff are friendly and attentive. The anbiance is great - a very elegant old-world feel with lots of dark wood panelling & furniture and fresh white linens on the table. There is also a little cocktail bar in a room that was probably an old porch on the original house - lots of lovely windows, a nice long wood bar, and several small tables for couples. The bartender is bubbly and knows her stuff. A treat of a place to eat in French Lick when you're tired of the food at the Casino!