The Food & Wine of France: Signature Dishes from the Great Cafes and Bistros
with Carl Raymond
Café culture is an institution in France; friends meet to drink, eat, discuss the day’s affairs, or simply to watch the world pass by over a humble yet decadent meal and a few glasses of wine. Many of France’s cafés and family-run restaurants have become notorious for their convivial atmosphere, their history, and (of course) their food.
In this class we’ll recreate iconic dishes from cafés all over France, using authentic recipes straight from the cafés themselves. Our tour begins in Burgundy, the heartland of France, with a visit to Lyon’s Le Petite Truc - we’ll make a true specialite de maison - chicken with fresh tarragon and white vinegar. We’ll also create a seasonal garden salad with dijon, bacon, and garlic dressing from tiny Chez Tante Paulette, another Lyonnaise neighborhood bistro.
Next we’ll travel to Provence to visit Le Beaugraviere, a small bistro whose signature dish is luscious roasted salmon in olive oil with a sauce of fresh basil and crème fraiche. In addition, our menu will include two all-time café classics, a traditional potato and gruyere gratin from Alsace, and a sunny southern French version made with zucchini and tomatoes. Finally, we’ll end our tour in Paris with a visit to Le Petite Marguery for a signature dessert, their Tart Amandine.
And, as no meal at Astor Center is complete without wine, once our culinary creations are complete, a resident Sommelier will guide us through a flight of perfect pairings.