FriedaL

Hello Bux, Thanks for the information. I read the thread on bouillabaisse. Such passion, such enthousiasm about this dish. Rightly so, because it's the best that the Mediterranean with local culinary efforts can offer. Apart from the daube Provencal, of course. Or tapenade, aioli, soupe au pistou, pissalidière, crevettes à l'ail, gigot aux poires. I'll just stop here. I'll conduct an informal survey among my French neighbors concerning the best bouillabaisse retaurant in the region. Believe me, they know. Bouillabaisse is an expensive feast, most often taken on Sunday lunch. Not to be taken lightly. Frieda

Robert, I live in the Var dept., just outside a small village, La Garde-Freinet. For the "right" restaurants I rely on local recommendations, but also on a "correct" guide, Guide Gantié (800 bonnes tables de Provence-Cote d'Azur). This guide, only available in France, has never let me down. Particularly looking for affordable places in the region. Frieda

I'm responding to Cabrales' wonderful post, part. on Bouillabaisse. In southern France, along the coast, this dish is an item on many menus. Often in recipes "overseas" it's labeled and inventoried as a fish soup with all ingredients, broth and pieces of fish included. But that is not correct. From Hyères to Marseille, you will find the true Bouillabaisse: first served as a broth with rouille and garlic-infested croutons. This broth is so delicious that you may overindulge before meeting the real pièce-de-resistance: the platter of fish from the broth, often served on a bowl of chestnut bark. Rascasse (scorpion fish) is the most important fish in the mix, alas less and less available. A true Bouillabaisse is a delight. The best way to find an authentic rest. is by asking around or looking at its parking lot on Sunday lunch. In any case, local French are passionate about bouillabaisse and will not let you down with their preference. Frieda

Auberge de l'Ill: I haven't eaten there recently, just once in 1986. It was one of the best meals in my life. The food: I can't quite remember what I ate, except for their famous quenelles. I do remember vividly the wonderful atmosphere, relaxed, not stuffy, and the great service, nothing hurried, nothing slow. We started at 1 pm and ended at 5 pm, coffee and armagnac in the garden next to the river. The Auberge has had 3 stars since ages and is so well known in the Alsace that everyone just refers to it as the Auberge. Frieda

Thanks Robert for your welcome. I found this forum searching for Le Bistrot Latin in Aix. I haven't been there yet, but hope soon. I'll be happy to answer questions about provence (I live in a village 20 km n. of Saint-Tropez). My answers might be a bit delayed, since I don't check this forum on a regular basis. France Télécom is charging by the minute. Frieda www.aboutprovence.com

You can also book sncf on line: www.sncf.com and pick up your ticket at a station or have it sent home (not in the US, I believe). I don't think you can access an 08 number outside France, just as you cannot access an 800 in the US from abroad. Frieda http://www.aboutprovence.com