In the 1960s, Goodyear and Firestone made Christmas records featuring Bing Crosby, but the American tire companies never got into rating restaurants. In France, the French tire company, Michelin, publishes a well-regarded guide to fine dining and has been doing it since 1900. Michelin's 3-star system applies to what are considered only the best places to eat, and restaurants struggle for years, sometimes decades, to get a one star rating. Three stars is tops.
Last night, courtesy of my host, Claude, I was able to enjoy a memorable dinner at Py-r (pronounced "Pierre"), which was awarded a Michelin star and has been operating in the location for five years. Claude gave me a tour of the restaurant and introduced me to the chef and the maitre'd. The restaurant is located in a building owned by Claude and her family, which is where the family business used to be.
I was introduced to Claude through a family friend. She is a Toulouse native and a retired art history teacher. She lives in an apartment on the left bank next to the park. She gave me a book on Henri Martin, a Toulouse-born impressionist, and she wrote one of the chapters.
It was a delightful stay and a great way to see a side of Toulouse that I wouldn't have access to as a tourist.
No comments:
Post a Comment