Restaurant Emile in Toulouse

My cup doth overflow when it comes to fine dining experiences and one of my more memorable recent outings was to the enlightened, esteemed  establishment known as Emile’s in central Toulouse. If you’re looking for unexpurgated charisma, lashings of atmosphere and a real sense of local je ne sais quoi in the setting of a very sexy Toulousiane city house in the even  sexier  Place Saint-Georges then this restaurant should be on your list of places to visit. What’s more, you will find the Maitre ‘D a most entertaining French version of Basil Fawlty but with ‘love’. He will make the ladies feel great and the men will be thoroughly entertained in the ways of French flattery towards their women…..

For all of this it is the food that you will forever remember with joy in your hearts and in the comforting knowledge that fine cuisine lives on in France. We were a party of 4 for lunch in what was a packed house. My companions were regulars and so attracted more than a fair share of attention from the incredibly charming ‘Basil’. This simply added to my enjoyment!

There’s nothing like a well-settled Bordeaux to move you one step closer to nirvana at the table. The 1996 Les Pagodes de Cos from St Estephe did just that, its smooth  urbanity gracefully fuelled our frivolity and we ordered from the menu with free and unfettered resolve.

Ravioles de Foie Gras, Crème aux Cepes left me, especially, in no doubt that this was not the work of a first year apprentice. In an elegant bowl the ravioli did sit,  afloat in the decadent crème, its presence proudly signalled by the loudspeaker of  aromatic confidence.  It was clear to me at this moment why Emile’s was so popular amongst the Toulousian  food intelligentsia……three pampered, ravishing, pachyglossal  parcels of paciferous foreplay.

We sipped on, our normally loud Antipodean voices and happy dispositions seemingly of interest to the mainly reserved French clientele. The others had fish, I had duck  -  well, it’s almost a requirement in the Canard capital of Europe. The Magret de Canard grille, sauce miel epices was a man-sized portion of moist, very Languedoc-Roussillon duck, surprisingly succulent yet robust and full of a certain continental gaminess that was powerful yet subtle in its presence. Cooked with consistency & to perfection through to the middle, a delicious contribution to my day.

More wine, a dessert and an espresso coffee or two followed and with a tinge of sadness it was time to leave.

Until next time…..