Le Bon Vivre is a lively brasserie recommended by a friend who had traveled to Toulouse a year or so ago. I trusted her judgement and of the restaurants we tried in this city, this was the best, and would still have been the best, even if the other restaurant hadn't been so terribly bad. It was a very good call.
As is the custom, we were first served bread and what better to go with that than foie gras. Really, I can't even think of going to France without ordering some, and for all those who think French geese are mistreated, they should take a look at the poultry industry in the USA.
This foie gras was served in generous portions and I was only sorry we did not have enough time for a second meal at this restaurant. I would have been totally satisfied ordering this for lunch, and my calorie "dance card" would have been full with little consequence to my wallet.
Perhaps the best reason for visiting Le Bon Vivre would be to order the cassoulet, perfectly executed with an oven crisped top and succulent duck and sausage underneath, nestled in creamy beans. Toulouse is the perfect city in which to order this nationally acclaimed dish. Eating it should be a travel requirement for visitors to southern France.
I couldn't resist trying the side dish of fava, but ended up returning it to the kitchen. They were not fresh, but dried beans, and the plastic canister they were stored in must have cracked because my side dish came with a plastic "garnish". Trying potatoes fried in duck fat is another must order at a restaurant in France, but I'm sorry to say these were a bit soggy, as though they had been covered after frying, and therefore became steamed from their own trapped heat.
It hardly mattered, not only did they taste good despite the texture, but the roasted duck breast dominated the plate and my attention. If the menu at this restaurant doesn't inspire a person, there were many more restaurant on this street to choose from and many had outside seating, just perfect for a warm evening.
15 Place Prés Wilson
31000 Toulouse, France
05 61 23 07 17
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