“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is really a large matter — it’s the difference between lightning and a lightning bug” Mark Twain A friend of ours, a restauranteur here in Arles, asked us to translate, or rather take a look at his English translation of their French/Lebanese menu. He’s … Continue reading Lost in French-lation: What’s on the Menu?
“Wine enters through the mouth,Love, the eyes.I raise the glass to my mouth,I look at you,I sigh.” William Butler Yeats I am not a wine writer. I’m a wine drinker. Quite good at it, too. The drinking part, that is. In fact, I’m drinking right now, as I write. But when reading other people’s words … Continue reading Old Vines…
I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness: a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea. Nothing else. Nikos Kazantzakis There’s a moment every year when I know it’s winter. It may not occur on the Solstice, and in fact often (usually) doesn’t. … Continue reading Winter is Coming…
“It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking: the arrival of a friend, one’s present or future thirst, the excellence of the wine, or any other reason.” Latin proverb Rumbling, shuddering, banshee-wailing down the Rhône, stripping leaves from the chestnuts, scouring dust from the hills, the Mistral brings clear skies and … Continue reading Vin Chaud…Not Really a Recipe.
“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)
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…
“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…
“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…
Chasing Snails (And Other Movable Feasts) 