where the image is meant to titillate and inspire the cook
Crème de Tomates en Croûte is a jaunty soup inspired by Bistro Jeanty, a charming French restaurant in Yountville, CA. Warm spices and smoky chiles elevate my humble tomato soup recipe. Crowned with a golden dome of buttery-flaky puff pastry…this is an elegant, yet easy first course for a dinner party or perhaps even Valentine’s Day?
She says, “One of my favorite meals ever in Paris @le_bon_georges.” And of the truite she exclaims, “It was so delicious!!!!”
My long time blogger friend, the fabulous Stacey, of Stacey Snacks travels to Paris every year with “Mr. Snacks” (her husband) and treats us all to dozens of images of Paris…and makes us painfully jealous with her food photos from their trips to the City of Light.
I fell in love with one photo in particular, the Trout with Pomegranate Beurre Blanc from the most charming classic Parisian bistro, Le Bon Georges. I just had to make the dish at home, but with no recipe and only a photograph to be my guide.
Trout was not readily available, but Loup de Mer was. Loup de mer is also known as Mediterranean Seabass or Branzino. Its character is delicate and unique. The meat is moist and buttery, flaky yet smooth, firm yet tender, silky and velvety. The skin is thin and delicious especially when sautéed to a crisp. The loup de mer fillets worked perfectly for my re-creation of the dish.
I took a look at Le Bon Georges’ instagram account to get a broader feel for the restaurant in order to re-create the atmosphere. I was especially drawn to the beautiful image of Dubarry Cauliflower Cream Soup with Truffles and a glass of Champagne near a window.
Continue reading “Loup de Mer, Beurre Blanc Grenade à la Le Bon Georges”
The back story for this dish started last summer when I received an email from Mon Ami Gabi Restaurant in Las Vegas regarding their Summer Scratch Off event. I wasn’t particularly interested in the event, but the image of the trout with fresh green beans really caught my eye. It looked so balanced and tasty, I saved it to my computer.
The restaurant describes itself as honoring classic French cuisine, serving traditional French gastronomy in a quaint Parisian bistro, devising fresh takes on classic fare.
On a recent a trip to Vegas, we had to have lunch at our favorite al fresco restaurant. Who can resist sitting outside on The Strip, watching the spectacular choreographed Bellagio water fountains accompanied by Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman singing Con Te Partiro? Not us, not ever. It is a rare visit to Vegas indeed, when we do not have breakfast or lunch at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas. On one trip a while back, I even purchased a set of their plates for my collection.
