Toulouse (pronounced [tuluz] in standard French and [tuˈluzə] with a Toulouse accent; Occitan: Tolosa, pronounced [tuˈluzɔ]), medieval Tholoza, is a city in southwest France on the banks of the River Garonne, 590 km (366 mi) away from Paris and half-way between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. With 1,102,882 inhabitants as of 1 January 2006,[1] the Toulouse metropolitan area is the fourth-largest in France, after Paris (11.8 million), Lyon (1.8 million), Marseille (1.7 million).
Ha! Encore une fois, je suis désolé de décevoir ! (I am sorry to disappoint) this is not about Toulouse, France. I would dearly love to give you insight to any city in France……but, alas, I have not been fortunate enough to visit…..yet!!
My “Toulouse” is again located in my favorite little hamlet in Michigan along that superb sandy coast of Lake Michigan. Yes, Saugatuck, Michigan has two delightful restaurants that we love to visit!!
Of course, it is not 248 Avenue des Champs-Elysees but rather more mundanely 248 Culver Street…..but none the less delightful.
Simple elegance of rich, hardwood shutters (one of my favorite window products to use in design) adorn the interior dining room of this “old world” restaurant, softening the light into a wistful and evocative aura of romantic elegance. Even if you didn’t know a lick of French….”C'est magnifique ” would roll off your tongue!!!
Outside, the atmosphere in the cozy courtyard is just as classic!
Nightly low lighting with an abundance of twinkle lights in bushes lining the building.
Vine covered trellis, trickling fountains…..oh…and yes, the food is great as well. It would be wonderful if the staff could speak French or even English with a French accent to complete the picture of illusion……but one cannot have everything!! This is still a delightful way to spend an afternoon or evening!
C'est formidable!
3 comments:
Hello:
What a delightful piece of France right on your doorstep! The restaurant does, as you say, have a very French atmosphere and looks to be the most wonderful place in which to enjoy lunch or a leisurely dinner. How lucky you are to have such a gem close at hand.
Yes, this is another delightfully cozy restaurant... in a delightfully cozy beach town. We now just need more free time to visit!
Lucky indeed! Reminds me of this little courtyard in Gadsden Alabama just off main street adjacent between two sections of the Gadsden Museum. Sit there and you feel as if you are in New Orleans, charm abounds! Wish I could taste the sauces at Toulouse!
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