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: June 2014
By The Numbers
5 people meeting up to queue at L’Entrecote at 7 pm for the first seating at a restaurant that has 0 menus because it operates on a 1 plate fits all formula of garlic sauced steak and frites and we … Continue reading
Being Naughty
I have done a very, Very, VERY bad thing. Without any intention of baking cookies or making fudge (at least not today), I opened my 36 oz bag of Nestlé’s chocolate chips. These came all the way from California and … Continue reading
Learning French
No one ever told me…nor did I even think…that animal sounds would be different across languages. Can you figure out these French animal sounds? ouah! ouah! (wah! wah!) miaou (meeaahoo) cocorico (kokoreeko) glou glou (gloo gloo) meuh (myrrh) cui cui … Continue reading
Fête le Vin
It’s a pairing that’s perfect…Bordeaux celebrating it’s biannual wine festival while welcoming Los Angeles and honoring their 50th anniversary of sister cityhood. The wine tents were crowded with empty-stemmed tasters surging in five deep. The pourers, in quintessentially French fashion, ignored … Continue reading
The Ponts to Lormont
Pont is the French word for bridge. My Walk and Talk group left the Quinconces quais this morning on the BatCUB, Bordeaux’s water taxi on the Garonne River, and headed toward the ancient fortress village of Lormont. The Pont de … Continue reading
Caudalie
Almost ten months ago, when I arrived in Bordeaux, I needed to buy facial moisturizer and body lotion. I walked into a pharmacie and chose a set of large pump bottles on sale from Caudalie, a name I did not … Continue reading
Don’t Count Your Chickens?
I just read an article that announced the delivery of a pair of chickens to all interested residents in two Dordogne towns. The chickens, along with a users manual, a basic henhouse, and some starter beans, are being offered as a … Continue reading
June is Bustin’ Out All Over
From sunflower fields to balcony petunias…from market berries and peaches to a much treasured stash of twinkies…from brasserie sangria to sweet yellow aperitifs…from bright and hot sunshine to balmy late night sunsets…from the breeze on the streets to the whir … Continue reading
Mon Ami
Beginning today, I will be cooking for two, sharing the bathroom, and talking with someone other than myself! My very dear friend arrives in France today after 14 hours of flights, airports, and immigration checks. I am conscientiously planning activities … Continue reading
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