French Cuisine

[Chasseur]

I can hardly wait for cassoulet season.

:essen:

YES! Love it with duck confit inside...mmm... I'll have to make some soon...

 

[Steven180]

How long to fly to Hawaii?

M.

 

[Chasseur]

East Coast, Central or West Coat?

I need to get more ducks for making confit soon...

 

[rue]

How long to fly to Hawaii?

M.

Pick me up on the way

 

[Steven180]

rue and I will bring a friend named Daffy...

M.

 

[rue]

rue and I will bring a friend named Daffy...

M.

lol

 

[Chasseur]

Great! I'll make the conflict with Daffy.

 

[Steven180]

Maybe this is a god time to slip this in...

Although not exactly cuisine oriented, the movie “A Good Year” might top off an evening of fine food, good wine, and for yourself and someone special. Anyone see it? A Ridley Scott picture with Russell Crowe.

My wife harasses me by saying “it’s a chick flick.”

Disagree. Let’s see, the guy gets a whopping seven-digit separation check from his boss, he inherits a successful underground chateau and winery, and he gets the hottest girl in town (who is a good cook Chas)...

Anyone care to agree? (Please.) Maybe this is best left to the Moving Picture forum...

If you haven’t seen it, it will top off a good evening for you.

Anyway, best to all. I'm going to look for something to eat now.
M.

 

[Miss Golightly]

Maybe this is a god time to slip this in...

Although not exactly cuisine oriented, the movie “A Good Year” might top off an evening of fine food, good wine, and for yourself and someone special. Anyone see it? A Ridley Scott picture with Russell Crowe.

My wife harasses me by saying “it’s a chick flick.”

Disagree. Let’s see, the guy gets a whopping seven-digit separation check from his boss, he inherits a successful underground chateau and winery, and he gets the hottest girl in town (who is a good cook Chas)...

Anyone care to agree? (Please.) Maybe this is best left to the Moving Picture forum...

If you haven’t seen it, it will top off a good evening for you.

Anyway, best to all. I'm going to look for something to eat now.
M.

I thought it was such a bad movie - really soulless. The only thing I liked about it was the French countryside (on a side note I thought I recognised the cafe where Marion Cotillard was working - turns out I was there for drinks a couple of years ago - in beautiful Gordes).

 

[Steven180]

I thought it was such a bad movie - really soulless. The only thing I liked about it was the French countryside (on a side note I thought I recognised the cafe where Marion Cotillard was working - turns out I was there for drinks a couple of years ago - in beautiful Gordes).

Nice. Any other locales or sites in that area that you would recommend? Cuisine too of course since we're on this thread?

M.

 

[Steven180]

I thought it was such a bad movie - really soulless. The only thing I liked about it was the French countryside (on a side note I thought I recognised the cafe where Marion Cotillard was working - turns out I was there for drinks a couple of years ago - in beautiful Gordes).

Nice. Any other locales or sites in that area that you might recommend? Cuisine too of course since we're on this thread?

M.

 

[Mr. Bingley]

I can hardly wait for cassoulet season.

Me neither! While it's not a "traditional" version I like to make it using leftovers from previous cooks.

 

[Miss Golightly]

Nice. Any other locales or sites in that area that you would recommend? Cuisine too of course since we're on this thread?

M.

A couple of years ago we travelled from the South of France (near Nice) into Provence - here's where we stayed in each place we visited:

Boulbon - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...s-La_Bastide_de_Boulbon-Boulbon_Provence.html

Gordes - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...egalade-Gordes_Luberon_Vaucluse_Provence.html

Grignan - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...ison_du_Moulin-Grignan_Drome_Rhone_Alpes.html

They were all exceptional places to stay - what you imagine France will be like. Boulbon is a tiny little one horse town but very charming, quiet and a nice place to spend a few days and unwind. Gordes was stunning - surrounded in lavender and very historical. Grignan was lovely - kind of in the middle of nowhere but so relaxing - beautiful surroundings and the hosts were delightful (probably the B&B I liked the most - I'd go back in a heartbeat).

We ate at each place we stayed (the owner of the B&B in Gordes made is own jams which he served at each breakfast - one was made from sweet potato of all things and was so delicious!) and sometimes headed out to some local restaurants and I can say that not one meal disappointed - great bread, wine and flavoursome dishes. The only place I would avoid eating is the port in Marseilles - I had the worst bouillebaisse ever concocted - steer clear of the port if you visit there some day.

We ate in lots of little cafes with locals (one place served rabbit for lunch which my husband loved - can't say I was so keen) - I'm not into the heavier French cuisine like cassoulet etc. - I prefer seafood and lighter dishes - which the French, of course, do so well!

 

[Steven180]

Miss Golightly,

I am very much indebted to you, thank you for the helpful and personal insight as well as your time. I have enjoyed Toulon, Cannes, and St Raphael in the past but would very much like to take my wife through Provence and then down into the riviera in the next year or two, and this will provide a very good start point for planning. I will most definitely note, and use your advice.

Thank you again for going to so much trouble.

And...Bon Appetit!
M.

 

[Miss Golightly]

Miss Golightly,

I am very much indebted to you, thank you for the helpful and personal insight as well as your time. I have enjoyed Toulon, Cannes, and St Raphael in the past but would very much like to take my wife through Provence and then down into the riviera in the next year or two, and this will provide a very good start point for planning. I will most definitely note, and use your advice.

Thank you again for going to so much trouble.

And...Bon Appetit!
M.

No problem at all M - it was my pleasure! I haven't visited any of the places you mentioned (although we're heading to France next week and will be down the road from Cannes so we might fit it in this time!) but there are so many places in France that I want to visit - it's a country I could never tire of.

We've spent a lot of time on the Riviera so if you need any tips for hotels or restaurants there let me know - I'll be glad to help!

 

[Chasseur]

I am not the biggest fan of Provence, but one place I really like there is Arles. Steve if you and your wife have not been there I would really recommend it.

I posted some information on another thread about it:http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?56803-Hat-Shops-in-Paris-Provence&

For the South my two favorite places are Perigod/Dordogne in the Southwest, and the Southeast Riviera between Monocco and Menton.

 

[Steven180]

Chasseur,

My great thanks for the tips. This is why I enjoy the Lounge so much - people go out of their way to help you. I will lookup Aries and Perigod/Dordogne as we prepare for the trip. We just spent a couple of weeks in Paris and Brittany so I think it may be another year or so before we go transatlantic again.

I just looked at your suggestions on the other thread as well and the Hotel d'Arlatan looks very nice.

Seems like there is a large crowd of Francophiles around, maybe we should start a thread to share information, advice, and experiences in The Steamer Trunk...

Again Sir, I appreciate your advice.
M.

 

[Smithy]

Had a marvellous french meal last night at Melbourne institution, "France-Soir"...

http://www.france-soir.com.au/

France-Soir is a magnificent bistro experience, French staff, the wine list is legendary (over 1,200 wines on offer), the food, simply wonderful, and the service exemplary.

Freshly shucked oysters, soupe l'oignon gratinée, escalopes de veau Normande, duck breast with sauteed potatoes. Champers with the oysters, 2 bottles of Roland Pignard beaujolais with the mains. Too stuffed to have dessert. But washed it all down with pernods and armagnacs.

If you're from Melbourne or visiting, weave your way over to South Yarra and treat yourself to France-Soir.

 

[Chasseur]

Smithy,
Thank you for the recommendation that place sounds lovely. I hope to get to Melbourne one day, I've only really spent time in Canberra so far.

 

[Smithy]

Smithy,
Thank you for the recommendation that place sounds lovely. I hope to get to Melbourne one day, I've only really spent time in Canberra so far.

I hope you can make it down here Chasseur sometime. And France-Soir must be on the list to visit when you do - honestly one of the nicest French restaurants that I've visited in any country!