5 /5
Rating
★
★
★
★
★
A cold night in Toulouse set the stage for my first cassoulet experience, but I will get to that...If you've spent any time in France, you know that it can be 'pas impossible' to get seated for diner before 7pm. This means walking and sipping wine and walking some more till places start to open up. We found the beautiful amazing river and took in the glorious dusky skyline. The Darkness set in, the time was nigh. We roamed down the first street off of and paralleling the river, because it was warmer, and that is how we found Au Peilharote. It looked warm, cozy and inviting so we went in. We were the second people to arrive and were seated by the tiny bar/cashier. Head Hunters coming from the kitchen indicated fun and creative things were happening back there. I knew right away it was time to sink into a nice warm bowl of cassoulet...i had read about it and pondered the contents of countless canned and therefore questionable versions lining the shelves at every grocery store and minimart. But finally, the weather has changed, winter is coming, and cassoulet is on the menu. This simple bowl of heavenliness involved cannellini beans and the infamous Toulouse sausage, and is topped with a piece of lamb that was tender and smoky on the inside and crispy perfection on the outside. Like Guns and Roses first album, Appetite for Destruction, the bar has been set so high it is possible such perfection may never be achieved again. If that is the case, I will return to Toulouse, on a cold winter night, and visit the fine folks at Au Peilharote. ps...We also had the squash coconut soup (tasty and basic) and fois gras (terrine style). The wine selection is limited but offers basic, solid options. There is limited seating on the ground level but there are some tables downstairs as well so don't be discouraged if it looks packed. The toilet is upstairs and it is a tight and narrow little circular metal stairway.