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What I’ve enjoyed recently …
In Bloom, Saint Paul sports
the largest open hearth in North
America. Everything is cooked
in the hearth or wood-fired oven.
Order the venison tartar and
pheasant boudin blanc. Cocktails
are amazing.
928 7th St W
Saint Paul MN 55102Favorite Places, Barcelona
Favorite Places, Bourgogne
Favorite Places, California
Favorite Places, New York
Favorite Places, Paris
- 142 Crêperie Contemporaine
- Ambassade d'Auvergne
- Aux Merveilleux de Fred
- Benoit
- Bread and Roses
- Breizh Café
- Café Constant
- Chez Janou
- Chez Loulou
- Chocolate Directory, Paris
- Christian Constant
- Du Pain et Des Idées
- Jean-Charles Rochoux
- Jean-Paul Hevin
- La La Pâisserie by Cyril Lignac
- La Maison du Chocolat
- La Tuile a Loup
- Le Chardenoux
- Le MaZenay
- Paris Flea Markets
- Patrick Roger
- Popelini
- Pozzetto
- Stohrer
- Thiercelin
Favorite Places, Provence
Favorite Places, Twin Cities
Favorite Links
- Alice Medrich
- Andrew Zimmern
- Artisan Bread in Fine Minutes a Day
- B.T. McElrath Chocolatier
- Baking Obsession
- Cannelle et Vanille
- Chocolate & Zucchini
- Cookography
- Curious Cook
- David Lebovitz
- David Schmit Photography
- Dorie Greenspan
- Eat the Love, Sweets for the Mouth and Mind
- Eat Well Guide
- eatwild
- Far North Spirits
- Farmette
- French Food and Cook
- French Word-A-Day
- Gale Gand
- HiP Paris Blog
- Hiroko's Kitchen
- Hunter Angler Gardener Cook
- Julia Usher
- Le Pétrin
- Nick Malgieri
- Not Without Salt
- Olli Salumeria
- On Rue Tatin
- Paris Breakfasts
- Purple Pitchfork
- Raghaven Iyer
- Robin Asbell
- Sake Story
- Slow Food
- Smitten Kitchen
- Steamy Kitchen Modern Asia
- Suvir Saran
- Taste Spotting
- The Daily Meal
- The Paris Kitchen
- The Perennial Plate
- These Peas are Hollow
- Wedge Community Co-op
- White on Rice Couple
- Zoë Bakes
From Nice to La Pitchoune
Updated…
Kevin and I left Minneapolis on a Thursday evening and arrived at the Nice airport via Amsterdam the next day about noon. After collecting our luggage, we found our way to the SIXT car rental. With a “Bonjour” from us and a “Hello and welcome to France” in response, the delightful sales assistant upgraded us to a BMW sedan. This was our second experience with this car rental. I would highly recommend them if you are ever traveling to Europe as we have had exceptional customer service both times.
After more than a few minutes attempting to figure out the GPS, Kevin returned to the office to ask for personal assistance to figure out how to get the blasted thing to work. We thought we had it figured out, but then proceeded to drive immediately into the airport parking garage. Around we went in the garage only to follow the SORTIE signs to get out. Finally, off we went following the A8 signs for the auto-route. Needless to say the GPS was not much help and we ended up finding our directions the old fashioned way, via a map — you know, those paper things that fold out into the size of a dining room table?
With a few U-turns at various roundabouts, we finally made our way to Bramafam (which means braying donkey) and up the drive to La Pitchoune. We were met by the Shetland ponies, Mr. Donkey of course, the ducks and geese. Having been to La Pitchoune before, it was like coming back to the summer cottage much like Julia and Paul might have done during the many years they visited Bramafam.
The wisteria growing over the terrace was in full bloom and the pink rose vines overtaking the columns near our bedroom door were just starting to bud out. Even with the large amount of snow (by Provence standards) that fell last winter, the rosemary and thyme shrubs didn’t seem fazed, as they were full of tiny blue blossoms.
We settled in to our room, which by this time was nearly 4:00 pm. I so much wanted to crawl into bed as I was exhausted, but I resisted as the best way to get on local time is to follow a regular sleep pattern. Instead, Kevin and I explored the property, checking out the olive and almond trees, lavender bushes, with Kathie pointing out to us the bay laurel tree. I purchase bay leaves in those plastic claim shells for $2.99 a piece. Kathie has a tree that is about 10 feet tall.
We enjoyed aperitifs later in the evening, followed by pizza that Kathie had ordered. Then, it was off to bed after a very long couple of days.