1/23: A Gambol to Bandol

bruscmkt

Had the worst croissant ever today and a below average coffee after the waterfront market in our village, but the place had character at least. Should have followed my instinct and ordered a plate of coucroute (sauerkraut, sausage, ham, hocks, more sausage, etc.) from one of the TWO market carts. At 9 a.m.  In a market with fewer than 20 stalls. (note the bay and bobbing boats behind them. painfully picturesque!)

After going out of rhythm in the middle of the night I’m hoping a steady diet of espresso and pork fat will get my heart back on track.

We met French friends back in Bandol for lunch at a waterfront restaurant (decor: Jetsons meets the America’s Cup). This time the moules were excellent (though I had the risotto, also excellent.), and served in the cutest pots with deep lids for the cast-off shells. I’ll bet I could find them at Carrefour, but schlepping them home…oy. Tarte tatin with caramel on a puff crust, and orange tart on a shortbread crust were included for 15e. And another bottle of excellent Bandol Rose. Then a promenade and an espresso, and a few wrong turns home for a nap.

Dinner was a snack of charcuterie and pastis at home, followed by a crepe-off: banana and chocolate by b1 (eh…try again with home-made chocolate sauce…) and lemon, butter and sugar from me. We each think we won………

February 3, 2009 · Filed under France

2 Comments »

  1. bb Said,

    February 4, 2009 @ 10:01 pm

    I can see it now. You’ll get home, jump off the plane into the car, and have Keith drive you straight to QFC for a can of Spaghetti-O’s, all the while complaining that “If I had to have one more seaside lunch with delicious food and refreshing rosé I think I’d go crazy!” Or not. Maybe I’m just jealous. No, make that I AM jealous. Wow…even with the tech issues and bad croissants, I along with everyone else is eating their heart out. But glad you get to be there, too. Enjoy for those of us who can’t!!

  2. Jill Weisensee Said,

    February 6, 2009 @ 10:28 am

    So nice to read about your trip…although I’m chartreuse with envy! Your bit about the canned foods was interesting, although I think I’ll stick with Dennison’s chili! The ugly American coming out, I know…but cassulet in a can just sounds wrong! (I guess you could say the same about chili!)

    Miss you! Keep the posts coming!

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