TarteTatin

Okay, we didn't have scallops with roe; (although we went to some markets and saw the most beautiful scallop shells-wish we could buy similar in the states. Not a chance) Anyway, we had the best quennelles I've ever had! Seriously, I've had a few! They are either too rich or too floury or whatever. Believe it or not, I know its touristy, but Chez Jenny had the best I've ever had! Light, tasty quennelles de brochet with a bit of sauce but not too much, not too thick, it was over risotto with crevettes. Just wonderful.

My favorite cheese is Bleu du Bresse. In Paris, the best cheese shops we've found have been at the markets, the marche's. Also the Moufettard seems to have good shops. There's a bioligique market (organic) that has good cheeses. Don't forget to try fromage frais for breakfast. Delightful.

In the Marais, our favorite place for Pain au chocolat is Levain du Marais. On the corner of the Place Des Vosges by Ma Bourgogne, turn down the side street and make a right at the first street. It's a block on the right. The best I've ever had! Also, by Bastille on a side street opposite Fauchon is a good small wine shop. Walk on the Rue St. Paul in the courtyard. It's beautiful.

There's a place in Gigondas on the main square that is connected with a cooking school in Pennsylvania, I think... Sorry, can't remember the name!

Thank you all for your help! We'll let you know how it goes in our search for Roe and Quennelle! (I feel like Monsieur Pamplemousse with that statement!)

We'll be in Paris for a quick week Nov 4-Nov 10. Every time I go, I look for scallops with lots of roe. You can't get it in the States! Anyone know where we can get the freshest (not frozen) scallops with roe? Also, on a different note, I love good Quenelles. Where to go for the best? I know they are old fashioned, but love them....

Last night, party of three: 1) Me: Goat milk with honey, PEANUT BUTTER (outrageous) and Bitter Chocolate. 2) Him: Quince, Asian Pear and Bitter Chocolate. 3) Teen Guest: Red Grape, Burnt Caramel, Chioccolet (sp) Interesting Others we didn't have: SQUASH (yes, really!) Rosa (Rosewater) Ginger-Sesame Chocolate-Banana and Regular Banana looked great. Plus, they now have "ice cream sandwiches" made with sweet brioche!!!!!! I have to try that next time!

I have to say we were terribly unahppy at Bocuse's restaurant about 4 years ago. We've been to a lot of top restaurants, Georges Blanc, La Tour Dargent, Jamin, Auberge D'Ill. Bocuse was not good for the price. ....and, we got terribly lost driving to it from Condrieu. Looked like the inside of a wedding cake, staff was rude, Bocuse was old and tottering, food was overpriced and not creative. There is a picture by the bathroom of "The Last Supper" featuring all the Great Chefs of France which is very funny, however!

Tonight we stopped by after an extremely hard work week. We sat at the bar and had four appetizers. Beet salad with pears and blue cheese, Tuna Tartare marinated in lime and cilantro, zucchini crisp crackers and shitake mushrooms, Duck Confit with frisee , Duck pate that was supposed to be boar pate but substituted and served with quince paste. Delicious. Love this chef. Love Ellen Yin. Had a great Montalcino. You know a good chef when the cold food is especially good and creative. Don't remember exactly the accoutrements or specific flavorings, but it was all good!

We spent two weeks in Alsace on the wine route about 8 years ago? (can't remember). The food is outrageous, and we've been searching for similar in the States and have yet to find it. We, too, are lovers of Flamekuche (sp?), and did, indeed have it at Caribou about a month ago. You can only order it at the bar. It's good, nothing like in Alsace, but the closest we've found. I even posted on NY egullet not long ago looking for a good meal from the region, and no one really responded... We also read the article this week too about Alsace. We ate at Auberge D'Ill which they mention, and it was super. I remember parking by a canal on a beautiful sunny day, (I think we had lunch there) and eating the best quenelles I've ever had, along with tons of other rich, great items. I might have the menu somewhere. Have to look for it. The wine was also super. The wine route from Strasbourg down to Mulhouse (memory?) was impressive. We had a private tour at Hugel and stayed in a Gite in Ammershwir that was lovely. Ah, memories! One of the towns looked like Venice.... ...and there were tons of Germans crossing the borders on the weekend to fill up their trunks with wine. They like the Alsace wine better than their own! ....and the Fete De Vendage in one of the towns, where they crowned the ugliest girl in town "queen of the grapes". Political, we guessed. Very fun to watch. Strasbourg was fun, but here I am giving a review of the area rather than the food. Charcroutre, amazing.

We're hoping to be in Saumur for a few days between Christmas and New Years. Any ideas, experience of restaurants and chambre d'hote/hotels in the region?

We were staying in the Marais and happened across Les Caprices de l’Instant at 12, rue Jacques Cœur, 75004 Paris (métro La Bastille), ph 01 40 27 89 00. It's a small shop opposite (kind of) the Fauchon shop near Bofinger. The owner speaks English (after determining whether or not you speak French) and has a good selection of Rhones. He does a selection of southwest wines as well. He's old fashioned in that he refuses to have a web site or email. Liked his style though - and he supports small producers.

We love to go to markets in Paris and see the beautiful colors of the vegetables, meats, cheeses and flowers. I love how the flowers are laid out and the eggplants are so purple. Anyway, we've been to the major markets, including the biologique (sp?) market. However, we'd like to go to the outlying non tourist markets within the Peripherique. Any ideas? We'll be there this time Nov 4 (Thursday) thru Nov 10 in the a.m.

I haven't read those that you have read. However, try Michael Bond's, Monsieur Pamplemousse stories. Monsieur Pamplemousse and his dog Pommes Frites solve "Red Guide" (supposedly Michelin) food mysteries in France. Very light and very funny! Michael Bond wrote the kids books Paddington Bear, but these are little paperback adult books that are great. Monsieur Pamplemoose goes to Provence, etc. etc.

DO NOT go to Chez Louisette in the middle of the antiques market for food. For a drink with a wonderfully dreadful Elvis impersonator singing, yes. But do not, I repeat, do not eat there! Unless, of course, canned asparagus limp and canned bad tuna, and canned lentils appeal to you.

Madeira the island: We were there probably about 8 years ago, and found nothing really good as far as food. Now, Fado music was new to us, and interesting and cool, and being the only Americans there was cool, and 72 degree year round weather was cool, and the island of Porto Santo was cool. But basically, we found nothing to eat but espada which is a fish that looks like an eel. There was boiled espada, grilled espada, fried espada, beef on a stick and lots of good Madeira wine. There was also lots of Germans and British tourists on cheap weekends like we do in the Bahamas. But, has anyone found anything creative as far as cuisine?

Carmen- We're foodies and from Philly and we'll be in Paris same time! Anyway, how old is son? Try Chez Prosper by National.

We love to sit at the Ceviche bar and watch the chefs. You can order anything you want there. Love the food!

An Omelette and a glass of wine. (Thank you, Elizabeth David) Seriously, my husband waited on Paul Bocuse once, visiting Philadelphia, while my husband was working at a French restaurant. They prepared the kitchen for two weeks, "what would Monsieur Bocuse want?". They stocked up with everything. All he wanted, after many a rich meal, was an Omelette. A perfectly cooked omelette. I've heard a plain roasted chicken as well. Simple, bistro food, not too rich from the stuff Bux has had everywhere.

Chez Prosper near Nation. Salads and great Duck confit, etc. Fun bistro.

Does anyone out there remember Cafe De Costa in Newmarket? Back underneath behind Dickens Inn? That was romantic!

Yes, this is our favorite place in Philly, 40th & Chestnut. They have everything. Just there last week. Also, if in NYC try Kaluystan's. 123 Lexington Ave. around Les Halles/Bourdain restaurant area. GREAT spice shop. The best in the country for everything. We even order internet from them. It's a bit overwhelming, cause they have enormous amounts of every item. For a treat try their extra spicy cashews in bulk (vindaloo cashews? or something...). You can handle, maybe, one cashew before your mouth blows up. But delicious. If you go there, upstairs they have the best felafel sandwich I've ever had. Like $6 and big enough for two to split.

Sept 13, Monday: Cilantro and lime Bitter Chocolate Mexican Chocolate Goat milk and honey Sicilian Pistachio Delicious.

i'm going back to my upstate PA roots--i'm canning. next year is the year. We're part of CoveredBridge Produce CSA and got lots and lots of real tasty fruits and vegetables. My husband canned KETCHUP last week! Really, from an English cookbook author's recipe "Nose to tail Eating". It's tomatos, apples, malt vinegar spices... He canned 15 jars and has already given them out as gifts. People love it, and its different than giving gifts of jams, that's for sure! ....and, there's no corn syrup in them (unlike supermarket ketchup) which is his real point. (Although Whole Foods ketchup I don't think has corn syrup) He also made today: mango-peach-ginger chutney with apples. He just finished. All from our CSA. (well, not the mangos!) I froze dozens of baggies of corn off the cob from the farm. It keeps well, and you can take out a baggie out and mix it with fresh tomatos and basil and jalapenos, for a super salad.

I know this is more Indian than French, but I make this Madhur Jaffrey - Beet and Tomato soup that's to die for! Subtle, not hot, spices and fresh fresh fresh tomatoes and beets! Wear gloves pushing the beets through the china cap.