worth a thousand words
Nope, it's not Disneyland!
food, glorious food
July 2020
Lunch at Lauza was a treat. A limited menu means the chef is dedicated to making something seasonal, fresh, and perfectly “accessorized” and balanced. My entrée was a frothy, room temperature zucchini soup topped with a langoustine…it worked as anticipation for my plat! Tender filets of sashimi tuna covered with a tomato/greens salsa and served over taboule paired very well with the Provence rosé in my glass. The dessert was full of flavor…three tiny creampuffs (choux) with vanilla bean crême and raspberries. I LOVE the restaurant scene here, particularly for lunch. TripAdvisor lists 1,493 restos in Bordeaux – there’s no end to choice, style, price, ambiance, and location!
June 2020
Le Regallion is the perfect place to go for a “gourmet” 3 course lunch priced at 19€ (about $22). The portions are perfect for enjoying every last small bite and the food is created rather than processed. My entrée was four spring rolls, filled delicately with foie gras and duck, and served with a soy/sesame dipping sauce. My plat was artistic with four grilled and juicy morsels of veal accompanied by grilled lettuce topped with parmesan shingles. Déssert of baked cherries and pineapple topped with vanilla chantilly cream was the finale. Combined with a nice wine list and a cozy ambiance, this restaurant deserves repeat visits! And the best part of all is it’s only a 10 minute walk from my home.
Bon appetit!the wine cellar
July 2020
The summer of rosé continues and not only am I liking them more, I find I am longing them with light lunches and afternoon conversations. My palate is a little more discerning now. I favor more expensive bottles, in lighter shades of salmon, with noses of stone fruits, little minerality, and so far, the terroir hasn’t mattered. But my main test is whether, on the very first sip, I experience joy, or a certain distaste that I get used to from the second sip on. For while I get used to the latter and end up liking the bottle, the formers are my favorites.
June 2020
Rosés are meant for lazy hot summer afternoons. I have a plethora of choice… sourced from Provence and Languedoc and Bordeaux… but I’m not a huge fan – yet! This summer, if it ever gets truly hot, I’m going to sample some recommended names and first up is Mirabeau. They have three in their lineup: Azure, Etoile, and La Folie (sparkling) and I aim to find and taste all of them. Three lazy afternoons coming up soon! Care to join me?
turning pages
July 2020
My problem with owning a Kindle is the ease of buying more and more books. Yes, they are titles I’d like to read, but without the visual stimulation of the book on a shelf, I forget I even have them in my electronic library. Reading more might be an answer but then I’d have to forego ironing my sheets :)
June 2020
George RR Martin has greatly influenced my reading habits. His character studies in the Fire and Ice series are incredible, and up until now, no other author in my present reading realm can compare. Until I recently read the first book in the First Law Trilogy written by Joe Abercrombie titled The Blade Itself. I dare you to put this book down. The character, Inquisitor Glokta, will come alive in your imagination – no movie version needed. The narrative flows even though each chapter takes you to a different part of the fantasy world. Human emotions are both overstated and understated in the dialogues and the use of italics to let us know what minds are thinking during the conversations is brilliant. I’m actually disappointed I can’t dive into book 2 – but a book club selection needs to be read by June 30. Thankfully, the Abercrombie characters are unforgettable.
Monthly Archives: May 2014
In This Moment
My grandmother’s clock beating like a heart and chiming the evening’s passage…globes of white petunias reflecting a setting sun…a lingering contentment from letting birdsong and frog chorus into my foreground…soft and creamy cheese decorating a fresh baguette, a heartfelt novel … Continue reading
For This is Opera, You Have to Sing!
Last night, Bordeaux’s Grand Théâtre treated patrons to Donizetti’s opera Anna Bolena. I was in the audience for a live opera for my very first time. The theatre opened in 1780 and the styling and décor remains true to the … Continue reading
Armagnac
In the foothills of the Pyrenees of southwest France, armagnac is born and raised. Distilled from any combination of ten grape varietals, armagnac is the oldest brandy produced in France. Unlike cognac, which matures in pot stills, Armagnac ferments in … Continue reading
Epitaphs
American Civil War 1861-1865 Here lie 625,000. World War II 1941-1945 Here lie 405,399. World War I 1917-1918 Here lie 116,516. Vietnam War 1961-1975 Here lie 58,209. Korean War 1950-1953 Here lie 36,516. Revolutionary War 1775-1783 … Continue reading
Norbert
I shopped at the Chartrons market today and met Norbert, a friendly fellow who likes to chatter and smile, and he gives out samples. Norbert has a cart displaying fruits fourrés au bloc de fois gras…figs, prunes, and apricots stuffed … Continue reading
Not a Hallmark Holiday
Since there really aren’t any Hallmark stores, tomorrow’s Fête des Mères (Mother’s Day) can’t possibly be a Hallmark holiday. Of course there is a marketing blitz to buy your mum flowers at the least and a full set of Le … Continue reading
Putting Bordeaux On The Map
Like many destination cities, Bordeaux now offers a city pass for the visitor who wants to explore the museums, ride the public transport, and get a discount on their vacation euros budget. It might be a good idea if many … Continue reading
Cowboys and Indians
Occasionally, people I meet who have not traveled or lived in the United States believe it is either a massive country of consumerism and obesity or a place that hasn’t evolved since the days of the wild west. This is based … Continue reading
Lalandusse
Lalandusse is a small village in the Lot-et-Garonne department just south of the Dordogne border. There is a church and a war monument, a pizza pub and a few homes, to warrant a dot on the map. Fields and restored … Continue reading
Do Not Deny
We barely studied WWII in my AP US History class in 1974. I probably know more about it from movies and books than from classes or any stories passed down in my family. I believe it was real and I do not … Continue reading
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