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Blog :: Dieppe seen by Peter Avis
And so we say ‘Go well, Pierrot’ | 30/05/2010
There are people who are institutions, and often they are more loved than official institutions. Pierrot has been a cherished institution in Dieppe for many years and now he is hanging up his chef’s attire.
Pierre Tourmente is his name but Pierrot is what we all call him. The Bar de Rouen (which is in fact a modest restaurant) in the rue du Faubourg de la Barre gathers a motley array of customers from far and wide. At lunchtime, you will be sitting among canny locals and no less canny Britons, who have discovered the Rouen and return again and again. Pierrot has a saying : ‘Revenez quand vous voulez, et partez si vous pouvez.’ (‘Come back when you wish, and leave if you can.’).
So what is so special about the Rouen, off the beaten track at the western end of the town? The cooking does not aspire to be ‘cordon bleu’, but it is sound French home cooking, in copious portions cheerfully served. What is really special is the comforting sight of Pierrot in the kitchen, bursting from time to time into song (he’d be great in opera) as he conjures up his savoury dishes and unctuous desserts.
Marie-Pierre, a sharp lady, is the other half of the Tourmente equation and she responds efficiently to the customers’ orders in the restaurant. A well balanced team.
Now Pierrot, who began his cooking career in the galley on long-distance shipping routes, is retiring. Happily, the successors intend to keep to the same formula, which should keep us regulars happy.
But Pierrot is a one off. His ideology is in his humanity and his absence of prejudice. He is incapable of uttering a racist, xenophobic or homophobic sentiment, and he is incapable of being unkind. He is a model of what a decent helpful citizen should be. You always feel a glow in his presence.
Pierrot’s friends and fans are the postmen and postwomen and lawyers and clerks and teachers and musicians and journalists and gendarmes and doctors and mechanics and pensioners who have peopled his welcoming premises through two decades.
Some of these friends and fans are celebrating Pierrot and Marie-Pierre, and also remembering Pierrot’s much loved assistant cook Bézo who tragically died recently, with a party on 3 June. Happily, Pierrot will still be around in Dieppe, if we need to borrow his powerful magnet that fishes lost keys out of holes. Or to hear his tales of wisdom from a life always well spent.
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Pierrot and Marie-Pierre will be sadly missed as amiable and welcoming hosts to a large bunch of Brits on the renowned annual "Great Dieppe Trip". Not only were we served with good food and friendship but we were greatly helped with our traditional sing-song by our hosts (with the odd dance thrown in). Embrasse Pierrot et Marie-Pierre pour moi, Peter et je les souhaite une tres bonne et heureuse retraite
I will miss this lovely place so much. I have a tear in my eye at the thought of it being no more!
The first time I dined at Pierrots I was a child and the last time (last summer) I was pregnant with my own 2nd child. Pierrot and Marie Pierre catered brilliantly for my wedding day and have become friends that I love to pop in on daily when I'm staying at my dads in Dieppe.
Marie pierre is a wonderfully warm woman and Pierrot a gem of Dieppe.
How those of us who sail in from Angleterre from time to time shall miss him, and Marie-Pierre, unflappable and kind. Please wish them both a splendid and very long retirement. Liz.
As you wrote, PETER, Pierrot provided a pleasant , appreciated family cooking in a nonformal atmosphere as his restaurant was frequented by a """Melting Pot""" composed of all social standings customers which made this restaurant extremely welcoming. I hope his successors will keep the same way ::Family cooking,good portions,good public relationsense, good ambiance.
By the way, Peter, you owe me a meal!!!! Please book the same table as everytime.Away from Dieppe for a fortnight,I'll contact you when I'll be back.See you then. MICHEL