Brasserie Georges, Lyon
With some friends, I recently visited Lyon, generally acknowledged to be the gastronomic capital of France, if not the world.
The city simply oozes sophisticated gastronomy, fine wines and luxuriously good places to eat – and with its history of the Mère Lyonnaises, its 14 Michelin starred restaurants and its world renowned Paul Bocuse, who celebrated his 50th year of being a 3 starred Michelin chef in 2015.
There are more restaurants per head in this city than any other place in France and probably Europe. And the Brasserie Georges is the oldest brasserie in the city and one of the largest brasseries in Europe.
The brasserie was built in 1836 by Georges Hoffherr, from Alsace, and was opened the same year. In 1873, after the death of Georges Hoffherr, his son-in-law, Matthew Umdenstock took over the business.
As soon as you enter, the size and the Art Deco style and beauty are striking. Over 700 guests can be served at each service.
The brasserie serves typical dishes including the famous sausage of Lyon with pistachios, and recipes from other regions such as sauerkraut, baked Alaska or the seafood on their menu.
The Brasserie Georges brews its own beer, a tradition from its inception, when water in Lyon was considered of exceptional quality. The word brasserie means brewery.
Many of France’s greatest names have passed through its doors, including Paul Verlaine, Jules Verne, Utrillo, Jongkind, the Lumière brothers, Edouard Herriot, Mistinguett, Léon Blum, Emile Zola and Rodin.
And then there was us. I think that we tried all the best dishes – French onion soup, lentil salad, choucroute, fish, steak etc – and then Bombe Alaska, Iles flottantes and so on. Only the Pavlova was a disappointment, as it always is in France. The French just don’t understand this great Australian dish.
Any visitor to France has not experienced this country unless they have visited Lyon and eaten at the Brasserie Georges!