In August 1999, we drove down to Austria to watch the solar eclipse. That trip also entailed another life-altering experience, namely our first visit to a three-star restaurant, Au Crocodile in Strasbourg, France. The food and wine were amazing and no other food even looked good for about two weeks afterwards. Unfortunately, the restaurant was demoted to two stars a few years later (and was further demoted to one star in 2010).

This first three-star dining experience definitely left a lasting impression and true respect for genuine haute cuisine (that's the level above the snobbish, wanna-be haute cuisine of which there is far too much). In one sense the first experience "ruins" you forever because your senses are so completely overwhelmed, as if you're actually using their full capacity for the first time. The "virgin" three-star experience really is something indescribably special, and I do not say that to denigrate my other, then future, experiences in any way, shape or form.


PICT0079
Of course there's a crocodile, what did you expect?!


Unfortunately this was before digital cameras entered our lives, and it never would have crossed our minds to bring along a regular camera to such a place. Since then we have lost all such scruples, and now bring in a nice, small, quiet, light-sensitive digital camera to our restaurant visits so that we can (hopefully) discretely document our experiences.

The inside of the restaurant was beautiful and classically decorated with wood paneling, paintings and large floral displays.

I do have a copy of our menu though, unfortunately without any wine information. They offered a special wine-by-the-glass menu chosen to match our food, to which we happily agreed.


Le Menu

Caille confite au Foie d'Oie "Maréchal de Contades" ou Foie de Canard poêlé à l'Abricot et au Gingembre

Rouget Barbet à la Fondue de Poireau et Concombre au Safran

Timbale de Sandre et Queues d'Écrevisses à l'Alsacienne

Consommé Chanteclerc et Ravioles d'Herbes à Tortue

Pigeon des Vosges aux Girolles et Croustille de Petits Pois

Fromages de France

Minestrone de Fruits d'Été à la Verveine

Parfait glacé au Café et Fine Champagne

Mignardises



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