Haute and Bothered

I was disappointed to read in last Sunday’s Restaurant News (“French Consul Fries L.A., Steams at Figaro”) the excerpts of interviews made to Figaro Madame magazine by French Consul General Jean-Maurice Ripert, L’Orangerie owner Gerard Ferry and my ex-wife, Sophie Healy, owner of Champagne Bis restaurant.

Their collective reproach of the life and of the people of Los Angeles represents the sort of arrogance that has so severely damaged the once-dominant force of French restaurants in America. It is also unfortunate that these few disconsolate expatriates are damaging the image and efforts of many hard-working French people who are happy and thankful to be living and working in Los Angeles.

As an American who has lived and worked in France extensively and who has devoted his professional career toward cooking and promoting French cuisine, I find their comments particularly offensive.

I was also saddened to read of my ex-wife’s continued bitterness toward me and now my family. She is the mother of my only child, and I hold only best wishes for her.

PATRICK HEALY

Executive Chef

Xiomara Restaurant

Pasadena