The Cigale flies to France and returns wingless
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 41,919
Maybe a typo? I'm getting mail?
kerouac, it has nothing to do with being a fodorite. It's a trend started 5 years or so ago by a chef near Barcelona named Ferran Adria at his restaurant called El Buli. Chefs flocked to him and he was rated by Ducasse and others as the greatest chef. He started the craze for weird combinations and it spread all over, The UK the States. Thank Goodness the one in Boston who tried to promote it has left.
kerouac, it has nothing to do with being a fodorite. It's a trend started 5 years or so ago by a chef near Barcelona named Ferran Adria at his restaurant called El Buli. Chefs flocked to him and he was rated by Ducasse and others as the greatest chef. He started the craze for weird combinations and it spread all over, The UK the States. Thank Goodness the one in Boston who tried to promote it has left.
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 41,919
Today is the day we will go to the Var for a surprise visit to our friend Jean-Pierre who ran the Cafe Progress in Eygalieres. He and his wife have taken over the running of the Hotel Les Pins in Sillens-la-Cascade.
We drove to Meli's home in Molleges and parked our car there and off we went in Meli's car. Jerry and Meli were in front. I sat in the back and I noticed we were going in the wrong direction but Meli insisted she knew where she was going. Sillens is above Cotignac and here she was heading to La Ciotat, on the Mediterranean. I handed the map to Jerry and insited we take another route. After 50 miles out of our way, we finally arrived at Les Pins and we were received with warm welcome and was immeduiately given a pastis that eliminated my irritation. Lunch time was just
ending but my friend asked his chef if he wouldn't mind
preparing lunch for us. After lunch the chef joined us for a drink
We were happy to see how happy the staff seemed to be working for their new boss. They all stopped by our table to say hello. At one table was a couple from Eygalieres who also made the drive to see our mutual friend in their new village. Never have I seen so many smiling faces in one place.
Lunch was very good and the local wine refreshing. Jerry chatted with Marielle, John-Pierre's wife while we were taken on tour of the hotel. After much departing kisses, and promises to return, we headed back with clear directions from Jean-Pierre and arrived at Meli's where her husband Denis was preparing dinner. That night we slept soundly, we were so tired.
note: We have stayed in Eygalieres for over ten years but the place we called home there was sold and is now a private home. On market dy we returned to see what the place now looked like but it was still not opened and the marché was extended to the front of what it once was, the Auberge Provençal.
There was heavy rain that day so we didn't get to check out the B&B we liked and booked and where the dog lived that I called the maylor of the village. Every evening at apertif time he'd stroll by, checking everyone out and I swear I could here him thinking, There's mimi and her pastis. That place has been sold and no longer a B&B.
We drove to Meli's home in Molleges and parked our car there and off we went in Meli's car. Jerry and Meli were in front. I sat in the back and I noticed we were going in the wrong direction but Meli insisted she knew where she was going. Sillens is above Cotignac and here she was heading to La Ciotat, on the Mediterranean. I handed the map to Jerry and insited we take another route. After 50 miles out of our way, we finally arrived at Les Pins and we were received with warm welcome and was immeduiately given a pastis that eliminated my irritation. Lunch time was just
ending but my friend asked his chef if he wouldn't mind
preparing lunch for us. After lunch the chef joined us for a drink
We were happy to see how happy the staff seemed to be working for their new boss. They all stopped by our table to say hello. At one table was a couple from Eygalieres who also made the drive to see our mutual friend in their new village. Never have I seen so many smiling faces in one place.
Lunch was very good and the local wine refreshing. Jerry chatted with Marielle, John-Pierre's wife while we were taken on tour of the hotel. After much departing kisses, and promises to return, we headed back with clear directions from Jean-Pierre and arrived at Meli's where her husband Denis was preparing dinner. That night we slept soundly, we were so tired.
note: We have stayed in Eygalieres for over ten years but the place we called home there was sold and is now a private home. On market dy we returned to see what the place now looked like but it was still not opened and the marché was extended to the front of what it once was, the Auberge Provençal.
There was heavy rain that day so we didn't get to check out the B&B we liked and booked and where the dog lived that I called the maylor of the village. Every evening at apertif time he'd stroll by, checking everyone out and I swear I could here him thinking, There's mimi and her pastis. That place has been sold and no longer a B&B.
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 41,919
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 41,919
Saturday, one of our yearly stops, a lunch or dinner at Jean-Louis's Bistro du Paradou. We had lunch this time and shopped some marchés and shops to buy lavender essence for me and some Opinel knives, herbs de Provence, Camargue fleur de sel for our friends who are taking care of our dog, Pastis.
We went to a brocante and fete in Mouries. The locals were dressed in traditional Provençal costumes and dances were performed. The girls looked exceptionally adorable in these togs from the past. Our hosts invited us to join them and some of their friends at Sunday dinner on their terrace. What a surprise to meet two guests who live half the year near us and half at their home in Maussane. We exchanged addresses.
The next day was lunch by the fountaine in Maussane at one of the many cafés there. The SlowTrav GTG planned by Kaydee also a fodorite who gives tours. It was held in LaCoste at the Domaine de Layaude. It's a pity they were not serving outdoors, the weather was fine and the views were spectacular. Jerry and I were the first to arrive so we at least got to have a pastis on the terrace. Everyone was very nice and I finally got to meet Kevin Woodrow who is just as nice and helpful as he is on fodors. Before the night event was over the rains came and it was alot of rain as we dashed to our cars. Unknown to me, Jerry had left his bag behind that held passports, airline tickets.
As we were about to drive off, some woman came rushing up to the car and tapped on the window and asked if I left my bag, as I said no, we suddenly realized it was Jerry's. I don't know who it was in the dark that saved us but I extend a huge thanks to you if you are reading this, or anyone who knows you. You must have been drenched!!
Daylight, it seems like nice day as we head for Bonnieux.
We check out menus, (Fournil was closed) so we settle on Le Tinel, only because Bandade, the provençal favorite of mine is on the menu. This place has great views from the windows but lacking in ambiance. As we dined, the Mistral hit and it suddenly became very cold. Later as it calmed down we drove to St Remy to buy Joel Durand Chocolates and Petite Duc cookies for our hosts and food for dinner by the pool.
The next morning, Provence has turned cold and it's our last few hours there and the first time we could not have breakfast by the pool. We give our gifts to our hosts, they give us bottle of wine from a relative's vineyard which happens to be my favorite, Gigondas. Lots of kissing, hugs as we leave while the rain starts. Stops to buy tins of Olive oil, one at the Moulin Castelas and one at the Mas de Barre.
update. On slowtrav. The one who dashed in the heavy downpour was a charming woman doctor on Kaydee's tour.
A big thank you again.
We went to a brocante and fete in Mouries. The locals were dressed in traditional Provençal costumes and dances were performed. The girls looked exceptionally adorable in these togs from the past. Our hosts invited us to join them and some of their friends at Sunday dinner on their terrace. What a surprise to meet two guests who live half the year near us and half at their home in Maussane. We exchanged addresses.
The next day was lunch by the fountaine in Maussane at one of the many cafés there. The SlowTrav GTG planned by Kaydee also a fodorite who gives tours. It was held in LaCoste at the Domaine de Layaude. It's a pity they were not serving outdoors, the weather was fine and the views were spectacular. Jerry and I were the first to arrive so we at least got to have a pastis on the terrace. Everyone was very nice and I finally got to meet Kevin Woodrow who is just as nice and helpful as he is on fodors. Before the night event was over the rains came and it was alot of rain as we dashed to our cars. Unknown to me, Jerry had left his bag behind that held passports, airline tickets.
As we were about to drive off, some woman came rushing up to the car and tapped on the window and asked if I left my bag, as I said no, we suddenly realized it was Jerry's. I don't know who it was in the dark that saved us but I extend a huge thanks to you if you are reading this, or anyone who knows you. You must have been drenched!!
Daylight, it seems like nice day as we head for Bonnieux.
We check out menus, (Fournil was closed) so we settle on Le Tinel, only because Bandade, the provençal favorite of mine is on the menu. This place has great views from the windows but lacking in ambiance. As we dined, the Mistral hit and it suddenly became very cold. Later as it calmed down we drove to St Remy to buy Joel Durand Chocolates and Petite Duc cookies for our hosts and food for dinner by the pool.
The next morning, Provence has turned cold and it's our last few hours there and the first time we could not have breakfast by the pool. We give our gifts to our hosts, they give us bottle of wine from a relative's vineyard which happens to be my favorite, Gigondas. Lots of kissing, hugs as we leave while the rain starts. Stops to buy tins of Olive oil, one at the Moulin Castelas and one at the Mas de Barre.
update. On slowtrav. The one who dashed in the heavy downpour was a charming woman doctor on Kaydee's tour.
A big thank you again.
#38
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 454
cigalechanta: I have to agree dining in the garden with butterflies sounds wonderful, but did you sit outside at L'Atelier de Jean Luc and get to enjoy the piano lessons going on in the nearby house. You just don't get that everyday.
L'Atelier was our first experience with foam which we also had at least 3 other times on our trip. I remember seeing something on the food network about foam containing just the essence of food being the latest trend.
Your trip sounds lovely, it must be fun to travel to a place you love and to know so many people.
L'Atelier was our first experience with foam which we also had at least 3 other times on our trip. I remember seeing something on the food network about foam containing just the essence of food being the latest trend.
Your trip sounds lovely, it must be fun to travel to a place you love and to know so many people.
#39
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 357
Cigale -- I'm loving the descriptions of your travels in Provence and the wonderful things you are eating/drinking. I have been waiting for a report from you since I read you were going to join the group for the Slowtrav GTG. I was so glad to hear that your husband's health must be such that travel is on again. Way to go!!!
Glad I found the report -- it's worth searching for!
Love Provence and everything about it!
joy/luvparee
Glad I found the report -- it's worth searching for!
Love Provence and everything about it!
joy/luvparee
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 41,919
Thanks luv!!
happy, there was a crying baby at one of the tables in the next place sitting outside so that I didn't hear any piano.
The waiter said they won't serve more than 30 people at anytime because of all the dishes that are served ( I asked why they were turning people away when the inside was almost empty)
happy, there was a crying baby at one of the tables in the next place sitting outside so that I didn't hear any piano.
The waiter said they won't serve more than 30 people at anytime because of all the dishes that are served ( I asked why they were turning people away when the inside was almost empty)
