Truffles, Brie, and Champagne
 

What is your favorite European culinary treat and why? And have you ever planned a trip to specifically enjoy a food from where it originated?

I can't believe how much fois gras I consumed while in France, and I can't believe that I began to salivate at the title of your post!

I'm with you Iregeo! Foie gras is so unbelievably rich, but I never got tired of it with a glass of Pineau. We brought home canned from the Sarlat market and are pleased with it, but it runs a far second to the fresh type eaten locally. Yum!

Ever drunk a Medoc wine right from the tap? So far we never went especially to the Medoc(Gironde) region for that, but I don't exclude it could happen.

I'm with klondike and Iregeo on this one, fois gras all the way.

I consider a perfect day in France one where I have it at lunch in the terrine style and then again at dinner in the pan seared style. :-)

How about European "fast food"? A perfect baguette topped with brie and "ham", not like the stuff you get here... and you don't even have to stop exploring to enjoy it!

Guinea fowl (pintade) in France, preferably cooked in a good Rasteau. Cavaillon melon with Beaumes-de-Venise wine in the center. Mixed wood mushrooms in the fall cooked with garlic, butter, and parsley at bistro Au Petit Marguery in Paris.

We just had Grand Marnier souffles at Au Petite Marguery that were to die for.
(No mushrooms on the menu, Underhill!)

The incredibly delicious wood mushrooms are only on the menu in the fall and winter months, alas. You'll have to go back, as that's also when game arrives.

Ahh, great thread especially for foodies like me. Let me see. . . .

Going to Ch. du Pape for a day of barrel tastings and fresh goat cheese. (teeth were purple for days!)

Order a prix fixe in Bayeau and having them set the entire earthen pan of terrine on the table and letting us serve ourselves (needed a 2nd bottle of wine that night)

Buying a bag of peaches at the market just off the Rialto bridge and then wandering the street of Venice looking for public wanter fountains to wash the peach juice dripping down our arms.

Tucking into a great grilled leg of lamb in Marias on a cold rainy night after walking the streets and museum of Paris for 10 hours.

Tasting 15 wines and then 10-12 eau di vies before lunch and then having the wine maker insist we eat braised pork hocks with fois gras sauce as our THIRD lunch course.

The list goes on and on. Now I'm hungry, got to go . . .

Brian