We take our seats. Me, the adventurous eater, brimming with excitement. He, the cautious connoisseur, a culinary skeptic.
I glance at the menu. I can barely interpret a word of it. I’m thrilled. This is the second day in a row I have come anticipating my afternoon meal with a curiosity that supersedes my hunger. This restaurant has roots. I feel called here. I want to feel the old world charm on my tongue and between my teeth.
My husband examines the menu. Despite his trepidation, he is determined to find something he might enjoy. He wants to please me. He knows how much I love these food adventures. He spots Risotto aux Gambas.
“Do you think the prawns will have eyes?” he asks, remembering our trip to Barcelona where he was so excited to see shrimp on the menu, then horrified when the plate arrived with multiple eyes looking up at him.
“Let’s ask,” I say, hopeful.
I approach Madame. I point to my face, my eyes. “Are the gambas in their shells? Do they have eyes?” I ask, kicking myself for not completing the French for Travelers series even though this conversation was most likely not on the syllabus.
We determine that the gambas have tails but no eyes. I glance at my husband, thinking surely he’ll order the risotto. He looks dubious. He spots porc. I know he’s thinking “tenderloin.” The proprietor attempts to describe the preparation of this dish. She points to her chest. I say, “Breast?” She nods enthusiastically. “Oui, oui!”
Then she tells us with her hands and limited English words that the meat is heated fast then slow. I say, “Seared?” She nods her head enthusiastically. I prompt her. “Then braised, slow cooked?” She nods again. The owner tells us this is their plat du jour. I think, signature dish. My beloved is looking hopeful. Yes.
My turn. I point to the fish. I ask no questions. I trust the chef. We’re on the Brittany coast; the fish has been exquisite. We settle in and wait for our meal. In walks an elderly man: wizened face, slow gait, elegantly dressed. There is a young man at this side. The young man has a chocolate brown complexion and a tiny ponytail on top of his head. I recognize the duo from the previous day when I dined here with my sister. This is a good sign. A tiny restaurant frequented by locals. No tourists. Hidden gem.
The waitress brings us a little bowl of puff pastry cubes lightly dusted with curry. They’re hot, buttery, and flaky crisp. They melt in our mouths. My husband has become almost cheerful.
Next comes an amuse-bouche. At lunch! The term literally translates as “mouth amuser.” Back home in the States amuse-bouches are reserved for the evening meal and generally served only in upscale restaurants.
A cauliflower puree greets my tongue, sending ripples of pleasure down my throat. Cauliflower has never tasted so good. I recognize freshly snipped chives but I want to know what else resides in this glorious little crock no larger than a shot glass. I ask Madame what makes this puree so délicieux. She answers, “Beurre.” Of course. The butter is remarkable here in Brittany. I’ve been dreaming up ways to send it home in dry ice.
Our entrée, a lentil salad, follows. Here, entrée means appetizer. Our appetites are most definitely piqued. The lentils are sublime. Tiny. Tender. Earthy. The lettuce is exceptionally fresh and simply dressed. I recognize the flavor and texture of my grandmother’s salads. I have been trying to reproduce this dressing for decades, to no avail. Olive oil, wine vinegar and fresh herbs. Simple. Back home it doesn’t taste the same, even though I grow my own herbs and buy the finest olive oil. It must be the terre.
I’m feeling decidedly decadent, enjoying a leisurely meal in the middle of the afternoon. At home, I have to force myself to break away from the computer to stop for lunch. Here everything shuts down for at least two hours. There is an implicit agreement to slow down and savor the afternoon meal.
Next comes the plat. My dorado is exquisite. I made the right choice. I glance at my husband’s plate praying that his porc is as pleasing as my poisson. I see the disappointment on his face as he looks at his plate. Pork belly is a growing trend in the States but he hasn’t acquired a taste for it. Too much fat, not enough pork. We glance at the plates of the gentleman and his young companion. They ordered the plat du jour as well. They eat every morsel of that pork belly. I am reminded of my grandfather, how when he ate a meal he left nothing on his plate but the bones. Fat and meat were equally savored.
We’re saved by the roasted potatoes. My husband, an Irishman, loves his potatoes. These are golden brown, salty, and crisp with a hot creamy center. We finish our meal and anticipate dessert. We see ice cream on the menu. This seals the deal. French ice cream is made with eggs so it’s thick and creamy with no ice crystals.
For me, the restaurant is a winner yet it’s highly unlikely we’ll come again. I can tell my husband is ready to return to his own roots. I slip out of my seat, pick up my camera and take one last look around trying to commit each detail to memory. Tomorrow it will be his turn to take the lead, and we’ll be in search of a brasserie, beer and frites. No amuse-bouche but I know those unadorned hand-cut fries will restore his faith in French cuisine and fortify him for another food adventure.
French Lentils with Leeks and Carrots
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 leek, white and light green parts washed well and sliced, 1/4-inch thick
2 carrots, scrubbed and diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup French green Le Puy lentils
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 bay leaf
3 sprigs fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 small handful fresh chives, snipped
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Dressing:
Whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, mustard, red wine vinegar, sea salt, and pepper and set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium sauté pan. Add the leek and carrots and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Set aside.
Place the lentils and 4 cups of vegetable or chicken stock in a large saucepan with bay leaf and thyme and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until the lentils are almost tender. Place lentils in a medium bowl with leek and carrots and toss lightly with the butter.
Add dressing to lentils, stir gently and allow the lentils to sir for about 15 minutes. Serve warm with a sprinkle of salt, freshly ground pepper and chives.
*
Sue Ann Gleason is food lover, food writer, food-based healer and champion for women who want to lead a more delicious, fully expressed life. When not working with private clients or delivering online programs, Sue Ann can be found sampling exotic chocolates or building broccoli forests in her mashed potatoes. http://consciousbitesnutrition.com/
Ben
Loved reading this Sue Ann Gleason, it makes me want to hit France as soon as humanly possible and lose myself in extended lunches; that fish looks truly scrumptious!
Sue Ann Gleason
I’ll meet you at the table, Ben.
Nita
I think beurre is a word that translates into deliciousness in every language. This all sounds heavenly.
Sue Ann Gleason
I found some butter from Brittany at Wegmans here in town, Nita. (My little indulgence.) Swoon. . .
Alex
I love the contrast between you and your husband. This is beautifully written and left me drooling. I haven’t thought about lentils in a very long time. I’m going to try this recipe. Yum.
Sue Ann Gleason
Thank you, Alex. I hope you enjoy those lentils. The perfect “comfort food,” yes?
Lize Brittin
What a lovely post! The pictures are mouthwatering, and the writing is beautiful. I love how you create additional imagery to go with the beautiful pictures.
Sue Ann Gleason
Thank you, Lize. “Food loves writing!”
Shirley
Amusing story indeed. To hear your excitement of the French experience…. and to hear your husband’s take as well. =) I feel like for a moment I was dining in France. Thank you for sharing your foodie experience and giving us a taste of pleasure and delight of French food also. Sublime.
Sue Ann Gleason
Thank you, Shirley. I think I write these stories for me as much as for you. I love to relive every last bite.
Cathy
As usual, Sue Ann, the sensuality of your writing brings this lunch to life – the atmosphere, the people, the flavours. Of course, your exquisite photography only adds to this delicious post.
My husband and I make food destinations a key part of the day when we travel – what better way to experience a city’s life at its fullest. (That, and he insists on a visit to at least one grocery store.)
Bonus: I now know what to do with the lentils I found in my cupboard this afternoon!
Sue Ann Gleason
I, too, look for really interesting markets and small grocery stores when I travel. I love it that your husband shares your love of good food and all the delicious experiences that accompany it. Enjoy those lentils!
Denise
Lovely story and I enjoyed spying the duo you mentioned fuzzy in the background in one of your photos. I think we need to adopt the two hour lunch in America. Oui?
Sue Ann Gleason
Oh yes! There’s nothing better than a leisurely lunch. Good eye, Denise. The photos tell their own story, yes?
susie
What is truly delicious is the way you and your husband find a way to compromise your culinary preferences. Your writing so beautifully captures which side of the ‘court’ your playing on.
Sue Ann Gleason
Susie this has been quite a process. When I married my husband fifteen years ago his tastes were so very different than mine. I affectionately refer to him as “white on white” because that’s what his plate looked like: potatoes, cottage cheese, and chicken. We’re still polar opposites at the table but we intersect more and more. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Susan Seale
I found myself getting teary reading this. I’m not even sure why. maybe it was the suspense…will he like it? what will happen? there MUST be something for him to eat! lol…Kind of wish I’d been there and I definitely would love to try those little puff pastry squares. Just a large platter of puff pastry…hmmm…:)
Your trip sounds increasingly amazing, Sue Ann. Oh my goodness. I am looking forward to reading more foodie suspense.
Sue Ann Gleason
I love that, Susan. I remember interviewing a food writer once and when she talked about roasting a chicken and all the memories that evoked I found myself getting teary, too. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Carina Gräsbeck
How filled with love your story is! Your vivid description made me feel like I was there with you ordering the food, with all the emotions. And brought back memories from my own two week visit in Brittany almost 30 years ago. But traveling alone can be very lonely and that is mostly the feeling I have from that visit. Do not really remember any particular food – just the feeling that Brittany is or was the lesser cousin of Provence in a way…
Much love,
Carina
Sue Ann Gleason
Carina, I will always remember the butter. I don’t know that I’ve ever tasted anything quite like it. I love how you described Brittany as the lesser cousin of Provence. My Mediterranean roots would agree!
Pandora
In the recipe are the lentils drained when added to the leek and carrots or are the lentils and liquid used in the remainder of the recipe? Thank you!
Sue Ann Gleason
Thanks for asking. I usually drain the lentils but there are times that I keep the liquid and serve it as soup because I can’t bear to discard that delicious broth.
Pandora
That’s a wonderful idea! I think I will do that. Thank you.
LC
Yum, yum! Very evocative and such beautiful pictures…I want to go there!
Sue Ann Gleason
Thank you, LC. I’m so glad you enjoyed this post.
Maria
Hello Sue Ann, my mouth watered the whole way through – it just sounded divine. And the part where you said everything slows down to savour the meal – just loved it, wholeheartedly. xx
Sue Ann Gleason
Maria, that’s the one thing I’m trying really hard to retain: slowing down as a practice. I think I’ve got “savor” covered! Thanks for leaving a comment.
Michelle
Sue Ann, my bouche was amused until you wrote of pork belly and fat. I’ll have to side with your hubby on this one. 😉
I’m teasing you. What a glorious meal! I’m not sure which are more gorgeous, your words or your descriptions. 🙂
Merci for allowing us to live and eat vicariously through you.
Sue Ann Gleason
I’m glad I tickled your taste buds, Michelle, and I have to admit I’m not a pork belly fan either. I’ll be glad when that food trend disappears entirely!
Dana
Mmmm, I could taste the food Sue Ann. We have similar ways of mutual compromise when it comes to food with our spouses, your descriptions made me smile. Thanks once again for taking us on your journey.
Sue Ann Gleason
It keeps life interesting doesn’t it, Dana? Though I must say my beloved returned from this trip a little more discerning that when he left. He now eats only Brittany butter!
april
i always appreciate how you let me come along on all of your adventures, sue ann! truly, the way you paint the scene with your words is lovely – as is the actual description of your food and reactions.
Sue Ann Gleason
Consider this our virtual dinner date, April. Perhaps we can share a REAL meal some day! Thanks for reading and responding.