Lunching at La Couronne – Julia Child approved
La Couronne in Rouen is France’s oldest restaurant and the place where Julia Child famously enjoyed “the most exciting meal of my life.” As part of Emerald Cruises’ Sensations of Seine & Normandy itinerary (Aug. 7, 2027), father and son chefs, Michael & Oscar Bonacini, will host a specially curated Julia Child-inspired menu at La Couronne, featuring the iconic sole meunière that sparked her passion for French cuisine.
HORIZON asked Chef Michael how Julia Child has inspired his career. He shares:
“It wasn’t until after I arrived in Canada, from the UK, that I learned what a true icon Julia Child was to North Americans. I admired how she took a rather daunting style of cooking, as French cuisine can be, and encouraged home cooks to embrace it, to relax and have fun in the kitchen. I liked her willingness to push on, how she refused to give up and that any recipe mishaps should be regarded as an education rather than failures. As a chef, I was impressed by her use of market fresh ingredients and using up all the leftover bits and scraps to create delicious soups or sauces.”
When it comes to hosting the lunch at La Couronne, Michael’s excitement is obvious:
“I’m quite looking forward to our visit to La Couronne restaurant in Rouen, France. It’s rather incredible that it dates back to so many centuries. 1345! The oldest restaurant in France! Wow! I’m excited to enjoy a local and traditional French meal with my family and our Emerald Cruises guests. Can’t wait to try that inspirational dish that led Julia to such great success.”
In her book, My Life in France, Julia child described that legendary meal…
“We began our lunch with half-dozen oysters on the half-shell. The oysters were served with round pain de seigle, a pale rye bread, with a spread of unsalted butter. Rouen is famous for its duck dishes, but after consulting the waiter, Paul decided to order sole meunière. It arrived whole : a large, flat dover sole that was perfectly browned in a sputtering butter sauce with a sprinkling of chopped parsley on top. The waiter carefully placed the platter in front of us, stepped back, and said, “Bon appétit!”
I closed my eyes and inhaled the rising perfume. Then I lifted a forkful of fish in my mouth, took a bite, and chewed slowly. The flesh of the sole was delicate, with a light but distinct taste of the ocean that blended marvelously with the browned butter. I chewed slowly and swallowed. It was a morsel of perfection.
At La Couronne I experienced fish, and a dining experience, of a higher order than any I’d ever had before. Along with our meal, we happily downed a whole bottle of Pouilly-Fumé, a wonderful crisp white wine from the Loire Valley. Another revelation ! Then came salade verte laced with lightly acidic vinaigrette. We followed our meal with leisurely dessert of fromage blanc, and ended with a strong, dark café filtre. Our first lunch together in France had been absolute perfection. It was the most exciting meal of my life.”
