C’est La Vie
“It all started one evening with some friends. We were all fed up with what we were doing, and with the weather in Paris. We were 30 and wanted to have a different experience somewhere else,” Christophe Coutelle said.
Originally from France, Christophe and Geraldine Coutelle, owners of C’est La Vie, Sarasota, craved a life that centered around family and great food. Their late night of brainstorming multiple project ideas with friends turned out to be profound, as they settled on the venture to open a restaurant. Christophe, who formerly owned an insulation company, and Geraldine, an Italian language teacher, were drawn to the possibility of bringing the French culinary influence to the United States. Although they originally planned to settle in Southern California, the couple was captivated by the charm of Sarasota after visiting with their business partners. They loved the European feel of the streets in downtown, that residents were well-traveled to appreciate their product for what it was, and that Sarasota was a great place to raise a family.
C’est La Vie, the French phrase meaning “that’s life,” opened in December 1997, and word spread quickly. It was the first restaurant in downtown to have an outside terrace, emulating Parisian culture. The smell of fresh bread baking in the early morning was enough to draw increasing numbers of people each day; the bakery and café began profiting after only three weeks.
“I really miss those beginning days,” said Geraldine. “The oven was right there!” She points to the space by the café’s front door which now is the pastry counter. “The baker would wake up at 1 a.m. to prepare for the day and would be finishing up just as customers started to come in and see him working. It was the best, and it smelled so good.”
After six months, the demand for French bread and croissants became too much for the single oven. The Coutelles purchased a bakery factory, continuing to use equipment imported from France to produce bread more efficiently. It is still important to the Coutelles that no shortcuts are taken and authenticity prevails in the making of their food. All ingredients come imported from wholesalers in France, and even all staff members immigrate to work from France.
C’est La Vie celebrated 20 years of operation this past December. The restaurant and bakery hosted a large party, inviting all of their customers. C’est La Vie bread and other products are now available at a 2-year-old franchise location in UTC and at other local restaurants including Shore and Boca. The Coutelles are proud of the large family of employees and customers they have created over the years, and desire to continue finding ways to improve their product, while still in the French way.
“Yes, we are in America, but we are going to do what we know and keep our tradition, and not Americanize our food,” said Geraldine. “You come here for a croissant, not a bagel or muffin.”
And believe me, you won’t want to eat anything else. Do yourself a favor: Drive to C’est La Vie and order an almond croissant. Stay for a cappuccino, if you have the time. Prepare your mind to leave Sarasota and be transported to the streets of Paris. Bon voyage!
► C’est la vie: 1553 Main St, Sarasota, 941-906-9575 cestlaviesarasota.com
► 8527 Cooper Creek blvd, University Park, 941-355-2323 cestlaviesarasota.com
