Two lunches out in Toulouse to share with you.

Both of them, equally delicious. Part of the pleasure derived in travelling for me is the planning. The journey, the transport, the hotel ..

The eating.

Websites are looked at, reviews read, dishes & specialities noted before, finally, lists are drawn up & choices & bookings are made.

My first port of call is here ..

https://www.lebonvivre.com

It's situated centrally on Place du Président Thomas Wilson but then I found everywhere walkable from my hotel. It's a pedestrian-friendly city. There's a statue of Woodrow Wilson in the middle of this oval-shaped public space & its gardens. He was considered a great ally to France during World War One.

It's sunny & very hot - 33 degrees. A table indoors then. I decide treats are in order as it's my birthday. To start, it's the House Duck Pâté with Sourdough Toast. To follow, a really refreshing salad, just how you wish such a dish to be on a steaming summer's day. Lots of cooling cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, grapes, herbs & a really light goat's cheese. A glass of bubbles.

The next day there's a walk by La Garonne & across the Pont Neuf which has stood here since 1544 making it the oldest bridge in Toulouse. There's the remains of Daurade Bridge which was destroyed when the river flooded plus a chance to see Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Jacques. This was a former hospital whose sole purpose from the 12th Century was to care for & feed the poor & disadvantaged. It also housed pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, who stopped off to pray at Saint-Sernin.

A morning's gentle saunter along the Left Bank set up an appetite for lunch. Next venue is on the horizon ..

https://guide.michelin.com/gb/en/occitanie/toulouse/restaurant/genty-magre

Another lovely location to be found a few minutes from Place St Georges & St Stephen's Cathedral.

Time to sample the Menu du Midi.

Here's what's on offer .. To begin ..

Carpaccio de Veau, Vitello Tonnato Ou Salade de Betteraves, Oeufs Mimosas

The main event ..

Filet de Canette de Barbarie, Pommes de Terre Fondantes et Girolles Ou Pavé de Merlu (de ligne), Jardinière de Petits Pois et Artichauts

I decide to plump for the Beetroot Salad & the Mimosa Eggs - Devilled Eggs - another tasty & light way to begin on a hot June day.

Hake or Duck? Both sounded perfect.

Duck. It was the potatoes & mushrooms which won me over. Plus, artichokes make you windy & I had a flight home the next day.

There was no room for dessert on either day but, back in my Toulouse home in the evening, there were snacks of cheese & tomatoes.

I have loved everything about La Rose Ville. There was so much more to explore & it's a city which is in love with food & wine. Toulouse also knows exactly how to cherish, relish & respect the produce.

Toulouse, I am a little bit in love with you - Toulouse, je suis un peu amoureux de toi.

AMM