A photo journey from the Jules Verne restaurant in the Tour Eiffel to the La Calife Seine dinner cruise to very best culinary experiences in Annecy and other French Alps locations to traditional French dishes prepared by daughter–my fabulous tour guide, translator, and personal chef–who was spending the summer in France with my granddaughters. The little ones enjoyed their own three course hot meals at the day-long French summer camps they attended throughout their stay. Lots of foie gras energy for those gondola trips to the top of the Alps, the museum visits in Geneva, and the usual smattering of forts, castles, historic and scenic sites in both Paris and Annecy.
I’m just back from my best ever mini-trip to Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur. Taking off on a rainy morning under dark skies, the sun breaking through in the distance promised stunning views, delicious meals, and a relaxing break. Enjoy.
Lunch was first on the agenda with a stunning table-side view of Anton & Michel’s flower-bedecked fountain courtyard in Carmel
A glass of Saint Hilaire French Brut brushed aside memories of a longer than usual trip down
…and a hearty bowl of lentil beef vegetable soup felt so welcoming
The smile of a charming waitperson added to the charm
An entree of blackened swordfish on a spinach salad did the trick
And as every woman knows, a well appointed restroom is an added bonus
After a bit of shopping, it was on to Monterey and checking into the Merritt House Inn with its fun room themes, mine Hawaiian
And admiring my shopping finds, a fringed suede shawl and an adult coloring book and colored pencils
Before dinner a two mile walk along Monterey bay over to…
…Cannery Row
Ending with a delightful shot of a dolphin sculpture outside the Monterey Plaza Hotel with a early evening moon above
Then back to Carmel. I had made a dinner reservation earlier in the day for Andre’s Bouchee Restaurant and Wine Bar, knowing that their mouth-watering seared Foie Gras a la Orange Sanguine would be on the menu but disappointed to hear that the duck confit was “out”, gobbled up by greedy tourists the day before.
But much to my delight when I arrived, the waitress announced that the chef, hearing of my desire, had found a way to make the Confit de Carnard just for me on a bed of skillet browned gnocchi with mini root veges swimming in garlic parsley butter. YUM!
And could I resist the Crème Brûlée with Espresso and Frangelico…of course not!
The next morning called for a walk on the Carmel beach
Then as a last treat, a trip down Hwy 1 to Big Sur
And lunch at the Nepenthe restaurant…
…with its spectacular view
…and a cup of delicious tomato bisque soup. Even the dreaded trip home in Friday afternoon rush hour and holiday traffic couldn’t erase the memories, the tastes, the views of my relaxing get-away.
Having spent the last week lying low and fighting off winter germs, I decided I would find some of my favorite photos from last summer to perk me up. And what better than some of the fabulous meal we had a the restaurant of Logis du Guetteur in Les Arcs, especially the foie gras which is now a forbidden delicacy in California.
And this is why I have returned to France so many times. Because lamb chops are my favorite food group.
And does anyone here bring me an extra little sweet at the end of the meal? The folks at Logis du Guetteur do…and they throw in a fabulous view to boot.
Gosh, I feel better already. I think I’ll go heat up my canned chicken soup…and dream of France.
the summer in Annecy with my granddaughters.
I’m just back from my best ever mini-trip to Carmel, Monterey, and Big Sur. Taking off on a rainy morning under dark skies, the sun breaking through in the distance promised stunning views, delicious meals, and a relaxing break. Enjoy.
Dr. Karen Stephen aka Doc Flamingo 