Historically Drinking (part deux)
“The Café des Amateurs was the cesspool of the Mouffetard, that wonderful narrow crowded market street which led to the Place Contrescarpe.” – Ernest Hemingway, A Movable Feast Place Contrescarpe Hard to say exactly which of the cafés flanking the PlaceContrescarpe is the one Hemingway referred to as the “Café des Amateurs” or “Café aux … Continue reading Historically Drinking (part deux)
Of the dark…
Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art a mushroom… Thomas Carlyle Of all the smells of fecundity, of earth, of whispered dawn, of darkness at a somewhere depth pushing through to light, one of the most binge-worthy of harbingers (in my opinion) is that of mushrooms sautéing in butter, grind of pepper, sprig of … Continue reading Of the dark…
A Quick Bite…
In Paris for a few weeks and travel and corralling kids has left little time for writing an entry, but here’s a picture of an awesome salad… I’m not sure how we originally found Le Relais Gascon. Probably just a stumble upon moment years and years and children ago. We were staying in a tiny … Continue reading A Quick Bite…
Duck Breast Prosciutto…
A Simple Cure “I believe in a benevolent God not because He created the Grand Canyon or Michelangelo, but because He gave us snacks.” Paul Rudnick There is a moment, a cusp, when afternoon finger balances with evening, the work of day is fairly done, the night not yet descended. It’s a time of slanting … Continue reading Duck Breast Prosciutto…
The Taste of Summer…
“It is chief of this world’s luxuries, king by grace of God over all the fruits of the earth. When one has tasted it, he knows what the angels eat.” Mark Twain – Pudd’nhead Wilson There is a taste of summer. I remember it from my youth. Along with sweet corn, and lemonade, the smell … Continue reading The Taste of Summer…
Layer upon Layer: the Secret Life of Croissants…
“You know why the French hate us so much? Thay gave us the croissant. And you know what we did with it? We turned it into the croissandwich, thank you very much.” Dennis Leary In my youth in the Midwest croissants were regarded as somewhat of a luxury item, trotted out occasionally for the impressive … Continue reading Layer upon Layer: the Secret Life of Croissants…
Green Melon/Cucumber Gazpacho
“What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps one in a continual state of inelegance.” Jane Austen Sometimes it’s too hot to cook. Sometimes it’s too hot to eat. But, eventually, we do. And if you can manage a meal with minimal effort, while (perhaps) drinking a cold glass of rosé, never breaking your stride … Continue reading Green Melon/Cucumber Gazpacho
Historically Drinking…
“Paris! Meaning the Café Select, the Dôme, the Flea Market, the American Express.” Henry Miller People don’t come to Le Select to be seen. They come for lunch. And dinner, or a snack at 3:00am. Or to play chess on the terrasse or under the block glass skylight in the back, or just bavarder with the … Continue reading Historically Drinking…
Bread Alone…
“I like reality. It tastes like bread.” Jean Anouilh …and then there are the rainy days, the snail days, the days of duck and cover. Weaving ‘round the puddles like a so-late-it’s-early drunk. And in a cobbled town, a labyrinth of streets, with a chill that filters up through roman stones and bones, a morning … Continue reading Bread Alone…
