Dejeuner

Salade Complete

Lunch today in Paris at Chez Gladines consisted of a Salade Complete: Mixed greens nestled underneath potatoes, tomatoes, cheese, thinly sliced ham, topped with a fried egg and fine herbs. Bon Appetit! 

Heaven...

Champagne kiosk at the Christmas Market

Mille- Feuille at George V, Centre Pompadou

Happy morning :)

The incredible Christmas Market in Paris.

Fresh Oysters right in the middle of the outdoor market, shucked and paired with Champagne right there! Dreamy. 

Tomato Juice at breakfast

How can something so simple be this good? Once again, the French win. Delicious. 

Paris at night

There is nothing quite like Paris at night. 

The view from our room is not too shabby...

Brioches!

I've never eaten this much bread in my whole life...but it's so good! 

Chinon Les Barnabes

Such a yummy wine, made right here in the Loire region of France. Simply gorgeous when paired with our meal of steak and mushroom risotto. Heaven. 

Chanterelle Mushroom Risotto

Not a masterpiece photo, but my goodness...this risotto was melt in your mouth creamy goodness. Paired with a beautiful bottle of Chinon wine made right here in the Loire area. Divine. 

Butternut Squash Soup with Caramelized Onions Creme...

Selection of aperitifs (Cognacs) by the fireplace.

Michelin Star Restaurant, Loire Valley, France,

Pan Fried Skirt Steak with a balsamic reduction sauce and the most perfectly done roast potatoes. Accompanied with a Chinon Rouge wine from the area....heaven. 

Cheeses of the Loire Valley, France

Wandering the river...

Magical trails...

Our row boat!

Row Boating into town! Joie de vivre.

Our walk to our little boat house...

Plat Du Jour a Bar du Ville, France

I know this doesn't look like anything, but we devoured this delicious hash after a very fun row boat excursion. It may have been the elation of the adventure, but we came upon this little pub where they were almost closing at 2pm so all they had to offer was the plate of the day. Without knowing what it was we said yes please, with a glass of wine...and we were not sorry. A hot toasty melange of ham, potato, veggie and cheeses....just lovely, with a few bites of tangy greens. We spoiled our dinner but it was worth it :) 

In France, cheese is a serious operation :)

Farm Fresh yogurt with essence of vanilla from Madagascar.

My dream cottage.

This is too lovely...

Ready for the TGV train from Paris to the Loire Valley!

Loire Valley, France

Le Petit Dejeuner

The best breakfast of my life. Ever. Yogurts with Vanilla from Madagascar. Charcuterie. Cheese. Farm fresh eggs. Fresh Baguettes. Coffee from heaven....

Room Service! :)

Where on earth can you get such lovely salads via room service for very little euro? Tours, France it seems! Wonderfully spoiled in the countryside...

 

Domaine de la Tortiniere, Tours, France

Loire Valley Aperitif

This was a lovely surprise. Ever so barely bitter, with a slight grassy aftertaste. Not too sweet, just a gentle beginning to dinner. Such a treat. 

Ma Petite Kitchenette en Paris

It's such a treat to travel where there's glorious fresh produce and well- made food with the best restaurants. Sundays in Paris are quiet and most things are closed. Tonight it has been pouring rain and quite chilly. We wandered to the tiny corner store by our "gite" in search of something we could whip up for dinner in our kitchenette. C'est magnifique! When on a rainy chilly night, instead of venturing out to a restaurant, I can still cook! We had very little left in our refrigerator, and the store was tiny, but I pulled together a lovely Potato Broccoli Leek Soup. Butter, olive oil, diced leeks, diced potatoes, and a lovely pre-made broccoli purée. And guess what? In Paris you can find prepared Croques Monsieurs! Just toss into a skillet e voila! A cozy rainy night meal. With great red wine to boot. Bon Appetit! 

French Fast Food

A simple, lovely little tuna salad at the Boulangerie for about 2.86 euro. 

Lucien La Chance

Champagne fete!

We were invited to a Champagne tasting party one day after arriving in France. With the jet lag, I wasn't sure what to bring the hostess, and I definitely wasn't sure about my French speaking skills :) But all went well, and here was our hostess gift:

Paris, France

Paris

French bounty!!

Everyone is so friendly here! Look at this bounty I got at our glorious neighborhood market - all for 12 Euros. This is joie de vivre! :) 

Our friendly neighborhood Parisian Market

Buttes Au Cailles, Paris, France

I could not contain my enthusiasm when I found that just around the corner from where we are staying in Paris there is not only a beautiful market but this darling and extremely popular boulangerie...and ohhhh the delicious baguettes. To die for.