Fran’s Restaurant

‘You probably know that Glenn Gould was a frequent patron of Fran’s Restaurant, and I can think of at least three good reasons why he would be. First, Fran’s served the kind of food that, for a long time, was the only kind of food you could get at a restaurant in Toronto: i.e. bland and/or boring food—GG’s favorite kind. Below is the menu from 1940 featuring such gourmet items as Pork Sausages and Gravy, Boiled Ham and Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches. Second, and probably more important, Fran’s is open 24 hours a day, which would accommodate Gould’s nocturnal schedule. And third, Fran’s had locations immediately proximate to both Gould’s St. Clair Avenue apartment and the Eaton’s auditorium on College Street where he made many of his recordings. [including his piano transcription of Siefried-Idyll)’  – Christoff, from the Glenn Gould Foundation Blog

Fran’s menu from 1940 featuring such gourmet items as Pork Sausages and Gravy.

Take a look at the menu. Then put together a ham sandwich accompanied by your favorite german beer. While enjoying this simple fare, sit back and read Richard Wagner’s Letter To America (below).

Richard Wagner – Letter To America