Category: Chefs/Restaurants

A Tribute to Julia Child: The Perfect Lunch

Julia’s First Meal in France
with Husband, Paul Child
(a re-creation)

We rolled to a stop in La Place du Vieux Marché,
the square where Joan of Arc had met her fiery fate.
There the Guide Michelin directed us to
Restaurant La Couronne.

Rouen is a 2000 year old city
located in Normandy
on the Seine River
not too far from the English Channel.
Rouen, France
November 1948

 

“The waiter is telling them about the chicken they ordered,” Paul whispered, “How it was raised, how it will be cooked, what side dishes they can have with it, and which wines would go best.”
“Wine?” exclaimed Julia, “at lunch?”

“We began our lunch with oysters on the half shell.”
“Rouen is famous for its duck dishes, but after consulting the waiter Paul had decided to order Sole Meunière…perfectly browned in a sputtering butter sauce with a sprinkling of chopped parsley on top.”

“Then came the salade verte with a slightly acidic vinaigrette.”

“Along with our meal, we happily downed a whole bottle of Pouilly-Fumé, a wonderfully crisp white wine from the Loire region.  Another revelation!”

“We followed our meal with a leisurely dessert of fromage…”

 

“Paul and I floated out the door into the brilliant sunshine and cool air. Our first lunch together in France had been absolute perfection. It was the most exciting meal of my life.”
This is as she describes her meal to us in My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme, published by Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 2006.
To re-create the delicious Sole Meunière:
Season the fresh Petrale Sole, then dip it in a beaten egg. Dredge in flour and shake off the excess. Sauté in a half butter/half olive oil mixture until light brown. Make the sauce in another pan; brown the butter, finish with lemon juice and chopped parsley. Pour sauce on the platter, then top with the fish. Garnish with lemons and parsley.
(original post 8.14.2007)

La Seine
TaStE WiTh ThE EyEs
celebrates
JULIA CHILD
The month of August is Julia Child Month here at Taste With The Eyes. I will be resurrecting some prior Julia related posts as well as cooking some new Julia inspired dishes. And for the fourth year in a row, Lisa at Champaign Taste blog is holding her fabulous annual Julia Child Event to celebrate Julia’s birthday on August 15. Come join us in celebrating our heroine, go here for details!
Toujours Bon Appétit!

French Bistro Lunch, Happy Bastille Day!

Allard Restaurant has been serving traditional old-time bistro fare on the Left Bank since the 1930’s. Once, one of the greatest gourmet restaurants in Paris, the menu doesn’t change, except for daily specials and it is as good ever. On our trip to Paris, we thoroughly enjoyed eating at some of the modern cutting-edge restaurants, but it was also a treat to dine on the classic bistro foods including escargots, frisée lardons salad, filet de beouf, gratin dauphinois, duck with olives, and roasted Bresse chicken with potatoes at Allard. The place is lively, authentic, well-worn and legendary! The old-fashioned décor, especially the zinc bar once a gathering spot for celebrities, is especially charming.

Bastille Day is the French national holiday, celebrated on July 14th. It is called Fête Nationale in official parlance, or more commonly le quatorze juillet. It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution.










Alas, no room for cheese or dessert, for dinner will be at Pierre Gagnaire.

Owner and pooch leave Allard quite satisfied…
Happy Bastille Day!

V – Le Cinq

Overlooking the hotel’s marble courtyard and garden, Le Cinq restaurant is tastefully fine and luxurious, dressed in grey and gold. The tablecloths, china and silver were all created specifically for this legendary hotel built in 1928.
The menu draws upon classic French culinary techniques and also embraces newer, lighter cooking styles, incorporating the freshest regional ingredients.

Welcome to Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris! Come walk with us as we arrive at Le Galerie.

Our perfect, intuitive service began when we were led, not to our table, but to sit and relax on couches and comfy chairs in the reception area. Champagne started to flow and little cloth baskets of fried calamari and shrimp appeared. Before the baskets were empty, another would arrive, so we only nibbled on the morsels when hot.

Don, and Kristy with her personalized menu, “Happy Birthday Kristy”

Les Fleurs

One can smell flowers upon entering the hotel. The bold floral statements set against classic architecture create a look that is the signature of Four Seasons Hotel George V Artistic Director, Jeffrey Leatham.

Jeff Leatham dresses the grande dame of avenue George V in an abundance of fresh blooms. Nine thousand are shipped in from the Netherlands each week!



LE  CINQ

Table d’hôte
After enjoying our Champagne, we are escorted to our table for eight which is separated from the main restaurant room by an amazing arrangement of Jeff Leatham’s flowers. On the table, the hydrangea centerpieces with scattered white rose petals were breathtaking.

The china is gorgeous. The woman with angel cameo in the center of the platter mirrors the large medallions on the walls of the elegant dining room.
amuse-bouche

les vins

Champagne Diebolt Vallois Blanc de Blanc
Puligny Montrachet 2006 Domaine Carillon
Vosne-Romanée 2006 Domaine David Duband
Riesling Lieser, Niederberg Helden Spatlese 2004, Weingut Schloss Lieser
entrée
morilles et asperges d’Argenteuil
Morel mushrooms and white asparagus,
Creamy risotto Acquerello with Méréville watercress,
Gravy juice / St Yrieix bacon, delicate licorice




foie gras de canard des Landes
Fresh duck foie gras from the Landes region,
roasted with black Sarawak pepper, braised rhubarb
Gariguette strawberries with elderberry juice


poularde de Bresse
Farm hen from the Bresse region “Excellence Miéral”
Served in a casserole dish with verbena / candied lemon baby carrots
With fresh curcuma / slow simmered sorrel



salades de saison mélangées
Seasonal green salad with truffled vinaigrette

sélection de nos Maîtres fromagers





Pierre Sauvager and his delightfully convivial team provided the most impeccable, flawless service. Merci beaucoup Pierre!
Under the direction of:
Eric Briffard, Chef des Cuisines
Thierry Hamon, Chef Sommelier
Eric Beaumard, Directeur de Restaurant
les desserts




le gâteau d’anniversaire


Joyeux anniversaire dear Kristy!
le chariot de desserts



mignardise

Dessert heaven began with a red fruit Vacherin with tangy lemon meringue, and the wild strawberries in crystallized verbena candied rhubarb, a unique intriguing basil verrine, and many more! Next came Kristy’s birthday cake, a chocolate napoleon George V style. We all agreed that this was the most extraordinary birthday cake. After that, the dessert cart arrived, with a dizzying assortment of small sweet bites, and a necessary espresso.
un petit cadeau
Additionally, we were each given a box of candies to take with us. I brought mine home with me, and reminisced about the most exquisite dining experience ever while I savored these candies days later in Los Angeles. I will not soon forget the powerful aroma of strawberries wafting from the foie gras course, nor the heady bouquet of truffles emanating from what looked to be a simple green salad, and was anything but. This entire meal was masterful…
A most sincere and heartfelt thank you to Don, le frère le plus généreux au monde, the most generous brother in the world, for hosting this grand luxe experience. And to my dear sister-in-law, I’m so glad I could join you in Paris to help celebrate your 40th! Love you both.


LE CINQ
V
une légende parisienne

Ladurée

Kir Royale et Macarons

I am the proud owner of some absolutely darling watercolor paintings by very talented artist, Carol Gillott. You can visit her at Paris Breakfasts blog, she paints Paris dreams! A couple of my treasured original paintings are impressions of Ladurée, so of course on our trip to Paris last week, we had to stop in.  Trouble is, however, this was not really a tea drinking crowd.

My brother Don and his best friend Jack

Tea?
Maybe next trip…

Imagine our delight that late Monday morning as we walked into Ladurée to find Le Bar! A toast to Kristy’s 40th birthday with Kir Royale!

Cell phones were ringing. “Meet us at Le Bar at Ladurée!” Within the hour all 8 members of our party were at Le Bar. The atmosphere is so very fabulous and fun, and the bartenders could not have been more engaging.

What vacations are all about!  Dessert and Champagne to start the day. This is the famous Ispahan Verrine with flavors of raspberry, lychee, and rose.

Oh you must try the Chocolate Verrine too!


Of course we had to do a little shopping. Ladurée’s mascot looks a lot like my Wilson, don’t you think?

Wilson The One-Eyed Boston Terrier
(visit some of his adventures here)

Macaron Heaven

Le Petit Déjeuner

On the day of our departure Susan and I had a later flight, so we returned to Ladurée for breakfast. My omelette a la truffe noire…stuffed with shaved black truffles.

The most perfect rolls and jauntiest wrapped butter to accompany le omelette…

And dreamy coffee service…

Breakfast: simple and oh so sublime.

75 Avenue des Champs-Elysées
Paris
Let’s meet again at Ladurée!

Side note: I flew to Paris on Air France. My thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of those who flew on Flight 447. May those travelers Rest In Peace.

Gordita de Langosta y Mas!

Gordita de Langosta
Lobster with Soft Handmade Tortilla
Maine Lobster, Sweet Corn Polenta, Arugula
Chile & Cilantro Oils

My dear friend of three decades, Rob Fischer, has opened another restaurant! If you’ve been to Palo Alto, you probably have had the best burger and milkshake of your life at the The Creamery, a classic and delicious American diner. In February Rob opened Reposado, fine Mexican cooking in an awesome space on Hamilton Avenue where the the atmosphere is fabulous, fun, and energized. If you find yourself in Palo Alto, California, definitely visit REPOSADO RESTAURANT, say hello to Rob and tell him Lori Lynn sent you!
UPDATE: I just spoke with Rob. Mention Lori Lynn’s blog and he will be more than happy to serve you a complimentary appetizer with your meal! YAY! Oh, definitely take him up on this!

The Best-You’ve-Ever-Had Handmade Corn Tortillas
Cooked to Order on the Comal

Trio of Corn Dishes
Crema de Elote
Cream of Sweet Corn Soup
Fire Roasted Poblano Chile, Habanero Oil
Elote Asado
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Lime Butter, Crema, Cotija Cheese
and
Creamy Sweet Corn with Pasilla Chile Rajas

Huachinango Asado
Achiote & Citrus Marinated Red Snapper
Jicama Mango Pico de Gallo, Green Rice

Tamalitos
Two Handmade Tamales
Chicken Tamal & Salsa Verde
Mushroom Tamal & Guajillo Salsa
Refried Beans

Carne a la Parilla
Adobo Marinate Skirt Steak
Creamy Sweet Corn, Black Bean Quesadilla

What are you drinking?
Handcrafted Margaritas.
Premier Tequila Library.
Their motto: Eat. Drink. Relax.

Commissioned Paintings
By Fine Artist Miguel Cortez, a native of Guanajuato, Mexico

Flan de Coco
Raisin Apple Compote

Taquitos de Almendra
Almond Wafers with Papaya Crema Fresca, Tropical Fruit Salsa
Coconut Tapioca Foam, Mango Sorbet

I spy frijoles…Remember My Legume Love Affair! Por favor, join in the fun and contribute a tasty legume-centric dish to this global event for the month of May. Please visit THIS POST for details!