La Gastronomia Italiana (2)

Today I sailed to Bellagio (if you think Vegas, you're wrong!), a charming town on the bank of Lake Como, known as the Pearl of the lake. It lies on the very narrow strip of land between the two branches of the lake.
Bellagio features narrow steep streets among the harmony of its architecture and the beauty of its neo-classic mansions or villas such as Villa Serbelloni or Villa Melzo d'Eril.

We stopped for lunch at La Punta, a restaurant in the Punta Spartivento, a place surrounded by the generous gift of nature where land meets the lake. The delightful verandah was fresh in spite of the heat!I started with a plate of grilled vegetables (antipasto), with grilled slices of eggplant, zucchini, red pepper and potato. ... followed by a plate of home made gnocchini di patate (prima piato) in a Grogonzola and cream sauce.
As usual, I passed il secondo piato to leave room for il dolce or dessert. I had tiramisu!
We had a Pinot nero (black pinot) white wine, fresh and fruity.

Photo du Jour - The Cheese Guy

He happily gave samples and arranged the cheese so I could take a photo.
We ended up buying a small sliver of rather strong, salty, delicious fromage de brebis that had been matured for 18 months.
It was also covered with a powdery layer of cheese mites.
Bon Appetit!

Chinese New Year

I celebrated the Chinese New year in a plane, flying between Paris and San Francisco.

Given what the food served in planes has become, the best thing is to fast and drink lots of water. And then had a Chinese meal upon arriving.

In the Chinese tradition the rat (or mouse, there is no difference in the character used for these two different animals) is an animal that "saves". So save everything for the years to come. Starting with food! How? Making preserves!

Happy New year to all!

Photo du Jour

Flowering rosemary that grows on one of the roads into our village.

Inauguration Day: Congres Auteuil

If you read my last post, you'll understand we're happy that this week the Congres Auteuil (right under our flat) is open again with a new, stunning look - but a similar menu and same prices.
My husband and I went on inauguration day to "test" it. We sat in the first floor and had a beautiful view from the window (same view I have from my deck, since my deck is just above that part of the restaurant).
We started ordering two glasses of champagne (it was also our 30Th wedding anniversary), and were told Champagne was on the house since it was opening day.

We had an endive salad with nuts and Roquefort cheese - a classic here. Then I had lamb chops with thyme sauce and vegetables, and Jean-Louis had a "steak tartare" (that is seasoned raw minced beef). The one they used to serve here was very good he says, and fortunately, that has not changed!
We wrapped this good meal with a bottle of St Emilion wine - I LOVE St Emilion wine.
Sorry, dessert lovers, we did not have desert this time, but the Mousee au Chocolat is excellent at le Congres.
It was a good celebration!

Photo du Jour - L'Ancien Café

L'ancien Café Lauriol in our village.

A restful stop

Arriving in Saumur, our friend was cleaning wine bottles to store local Borgueil wine in one of his several troglodyte cellars! Martica, his wife, has created a modern "classy-chic" decoration in a country environment. His yard was welcoming with flowers and we sat outside to enjoy a wonderful Parnay 1962. If you want to stay over at Martica's, visit my blog AtHomeinFrance.blogspot.com Cheers!