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: November 2016
My Bologna Has A First Name
And it’s NOT O-S-C-A-R! It’s mortadella, a papery thin slice of bologna with fat circles and pistachios… I am addicted AND I can find it in France! The addiction could have something to do with not liking peanut butter and … Continue reading
Albi
I cannot remember if I shared my Albi trip with you. Albi is the birthplace of Toulouse Lautrec and there is a marvelous museum there filled with his art. Right next door is a huge cathedral with a checkered past. … Continue reading
Journées du Patrimoine
As in many cities in the US, there is a weekend in September of special “openings” all around France of buildings with historic or architectural interest. Last year, I visited several…this year, I only had time for one…a surgeon’s house … Continue reading
Pisa
Honestly, I don’t know if there are other meaningful places to visit in Pisa outside of the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles). With such a richness of history, art, religion, and tourists trying to prop up the tower in their … Continue reading
Tradizionale Balsamico
About 30 minutes of busing and 15 minutes of walking into the countryside surrounding Modena can lead you to the vineyards and production house of Giuseppe Giusti, a balsamic vinegar company founded in 1605. The tours are intimate and interesting, … Continue reading
Ferrari
Prologue: On the way to the Ferrari Museum in Modena, I casually said to D that I was ready for a Disneyfied experience…you know, the kind where you are guided and told things rather than having to figure out everything … Continue reading
Modena
It’s MO-den-a, so if you want to sound really impressive the next time you serve Italian balsamic vinegar at the table, try out this pronunciation…but also make sure your balsamic is worthy of the distinction! More on that in a … Continue reading
Venezia
Which is, of course, Venice! For us, Venezia hid some of it’s photogenic charm in mist and fog until the last day of brilliant sunshine. We had some “must see” and “must do” plans but we also took time to … Continue reading
julijoyeux 