Authentic French Restaurant 'Ôtoulouse' Opens Oct. 28 In Branford

BRANFORD, CT — When chef and artist Jacques Pepin tasted Chef Christophe Santos' foie gras at Madison's Bar Bouchée, he told the French chef from Toulouse, France that it was the best he'd ever tasted. If he wanted the recipe, that would have been a problem as it's not written down, rather it was handed down from Santos' great-grandmother.

Santos, whose ancestry is French and Spanish, named his and wife Rachelle Chaput's new restaurant for his hometown in the French southern Occitanie region. Ôtoulouse has its "soft opening Oct. 25 and opens fully on Oct. 28.

Prepare to be dazzled by the food, the dining experience, the ambiance, the curated wine and the welcoming Santos's. The dining will be fine, but the atmosphere will be more causal than stuffy. And while decidedly French down to the music, the cuisine, think vol au vent d’escargots à la bourguignonne, is anticipated to be an authentic French cuisine de art.

When Patch visited last week, the couple was still working on finishing touches, last minute opening details.

The location of Ôtoulouse, 2 East Main St., in Branford, will be very familiar to many, as it's on the site of the former popular and regionally beloved G-Zen vegan restaurant. But it's a different vibe, albeit open and embracing like the former tenant.

What to know about Ôtoulouse and Chef Christophe Santos

As explained in person and on its website, Santos, who as Rachelle said is every inch half French and half Spanish, "grew up in a family in which food has always been the essence of life."

He was just 16 when he began cooking at restaurants near his hometown Villemur sur Tarn near Toulouse and went on to "perfect his skills" with Michelin-starred chefs Jacques Chibois, Alain Ducasse and Johan Leclerre.

In 2004, he came to the U.S. and worked at the tony and well-regarded Union League Café in New Haven before taking a chef position in San Diego. Four years later, he came back to Connecticut, where he reunited with Jean-Pierre Vuillermet and became the chef de cuisine at Bar Bouchée. There he developed a following and earned top ratings and rave reviews. This year, though, he made his move as he'd always wanted to open his own restaurant. And it helps that he and Rachelle live in town.

"His mission is and always will be to provide the best food and service that reflects the joy and passion he has for cooking," it's shared on the website. "He and his team share the same care and enthusiasm for cooking the best of what is in season with the spirit of traditional french cuisine."

Ôtoulouse will have its soft opening via reservation Oct. 25. Its grand opening is Oct. 28. Reserve your table by email at Otoulouse.branford@gmail.com or by calling Rachelle at 475-655-6162

(We'll be ordering the Noix de Saint Jacques à la plancha, ratatouille et olives noires.)