Sally Darr, the exacting chef and owner of La Tulipe, a tiny 1980s-era French bistro in downtown Manhattan renowned for its exquisite yet homey French cooking — and often agonizing delays — resulting from her infamous perfectionism, died on Nov. 7 at her home in the West Village.
Desserts were Ms. Darr’s forte: She was a skilled pastry chef, and her apricot souffle, shaped like a minaret and served table-side with a dollop of whipped cream flavored with kirsch, was a best seller.
Though she had spent more than a decade as a recipe tester for Gourmet magazine and Time-Life books, Ms. Darr had zero restaurant experience when she opened La Tulipe.
Neither did her husband and business partner, John Darr, a Congregationalist minister and peace activist turned school principal.
Yet Ms. Darr never doubted she would win those stars.
Persons:
Sally Darr, La, Dorothy Darr, Tulipe, Darr, Mimi Sheraton, Darr’s zucchini fritters, kirsch, John Darr
Organizations:
The New York Times, Gourmet
Locations:
Manhattan, West