Posted by Susan on January 11, 1998 at 10:56:04:
In Reply to: Small, independent restaurants posted by Karen Bruner Upright on January 10, 1998 at 10:21:25:
The best dinner that I've ever had in the States -- bar none to date -- was served at Chez Astrid's in Tularosa, New Mexico. Astrid is a middle-aged Frenchwoman who set up a tiny restaurant in the Jornado de Muerto (real Billy the Kid country) housed in an old filling station on the edge of town. Still looks like a filling station, too, with ambiance straight out of Rod Serling's Twilight Zone. Four tables, maybe five, so reservations are essential. But you can't beat her prices and, damn, that woman can cook! I used to try to talk her into writing a book, just to help drum up business ... as if she had room for any more customers. She would either laugh at me or look bemused: "But all I do is simple farmhouse cooking. You should talk to that woman with the fancy restaurant near the racetrack up in Ruidoso -- she's a real artiste!" (Not in my book, Astrid.) Still miss her ...
I'd sure like to find out about this place in Chattanooga, too. (*Much* closer to my current location, and there's no such thing as knowing too many people who really know their way around a kitchen.) Sounds like it may be on Lookout Mountain -- in which case, good heavens, what a spectacular view! -- or Signal Mountain. Does your guy remember the name of the chef, restaurant, bakery, street or cross-streets, section of town -- in short, any identifying details? Please advise!