L'Etoile is a fine dining restaurant established in 1976 by Chef Odessa Piper. Our seasonal menus are inspired by the Midwest region and are rendered with a French influence.
Tory and Traci Miller "are two of the brightest ascendant stars in the Madison dining constellation." — David Medaris, Shining Star, Isthmus Dining Magazine 2005.
About Tory & Traci Miller
Co-Proprietors Tory and Traci Miller grew up together in the restaurant industry, each developing a passion for food and for the business at a young age. They share many wonderful memories of working in the kitchen and waiting tables while surrounded by their family. Tory and Traci are delighted to be teaming up again to share their love of good food and fantastic service with L’Etoile’s guests.
Chef Tory Miller was recently asked to be one of two Wisconsin Cheese Ambassadors for 2007 by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. Given his long-standing affinity for Wisconsin's artisan cheeses, he was delighted to accept the position!
Chef Tory Miller has a new venue to share his thoughts with you! Thoughts about cooking, about being a Wisconsin chef/restaurateur that is committed to local ingredients, and even some recipes that use market ingredients. Check out Chef's Corner today for more information and to read all about Tory's trip to Terra Madre, in Turin, Italy and about L'Etoile's trip to the James Beard House to cook Thanksgiving dinner!
Tory
Tory took his early passion for food to the French Culinary Institute, leading to jobs at several high-end restaurants in New York, including Eleven Madison Park and Judson Grill, before he arrived at L’Etoile to work as Odessa Piper’s Chef de Cuisine. Now, as the Executive Chef for L’Etoile, Tory enjoys making delicious food and working with exquisite ingredients. Tory’s culinary creations begin with locally grown, sustainable and organic ingredients cultivated by numerous Wisconsin farmers.
Traci
Traci has returned to the restaurant world to manage the business affairs of L’Etoile and infuse new energy into L’Etoile’s hospitality. Traci’s return to the industry has arrived after 9 years working as a pharmacist at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Racine, WI and after 13 months serving as a volunteer pharmacist on Mercy Ships International in the developing countries of West Africa. Traci is inherently committed to serving others and her natural talents in this capacity are a boon to L’Etoile’s dining room.
L’Etoile is delighted with the prospects for its future under the Miller’s energetic leadership. They are committed to working with sustainable agriculture and locally grown, organic produce whenever possible. They envision L’Etoile as a focal point for supporting Wisconsin farmers and the sustainable agriculture movement on a local, regional, and national level. For more information about L’Etoile’s involvement in sustainable agriculture, please view our Information on Sustainable Agriculture page on this site.
The Millers are also interested in sustaining and increasing L’Etoile’s involvement in the Madison community. Their relationship with the Dane County Farmer’s Market is a crucial aspect of the life of the restaurant and café. They are also supporting local artists and enhancing the ambience of the restaurant and café while giving artists venues to display their original artwork. Their vision for the restaurant and café is familiar, in that they share many of L’Etoile founder Odessa Piper’s ideas and values, and yet they bring fresh perspective, presence and energy to the future for L’Etoile. If you haven’t visited recently, please stop in!