Eating, drinking and generally having a good time in France
Subject to change of course…come back here in truffle season. So here they are in no particular order.
2. Fromage. I will likely never be able to taste every single cheese in France. But I will do my best. Cheese, cheese, everywhere: goat, sheep, cow, creamy, dry, sharp, blue, wrapped in leaves, rolled in ash, infused with truffles….
3. The menu du jour at most brasseries/local restaurants. A bargain! For 12-16 euro you get 3 courses of very good seasonal food. Usually 2-3 choices each for the starter, main and dessert – and often a coffee comes with the meal as well. So far we haven’t had a bad meal. Top that with a ‘demi’/pitcher (500mL)of the house wine for a pittance and two people can have a very satisfying lunch for around 30 euro.
4. The bread and pastries in France are not overrated. A good crusty ‘Quercynoise’ loaf and a pain aux raisin – and I am a happy bunny.
5. And, of course, the markets. Apart from the amazing array of beautiful, seasonal food and artisanal products it is an event in itself, as much a social destination as a necessity for shopping. A lot of the enjoyment comes from chatting to the vendors and watching the world go by. Where I live you can find a market just about every day of the week, but the ‘big ones’ tend to be Saturday (best is Cahors) or Sunday (best is Montcuq).