Fri 15 Feb 2008
My guest blogger, Emily, continues
The town of Lourmarin, about 30 min. through the vineyards from us, is one of our favorites. There’s a lively outdoor market there on Fridays, which features produce, meats, cheeses, olives and all of the typical Provencal products: tablecloths in blue, yellow and red Provencal patterns, covered cheese baskets, soaps, herbs, olive oil and such. It’s very colorful. We like to sit outside for a coffee in the comfortable wicker chairs at the small Cafe Gabby - at the intersection of three narrow cobblestone streets - and listen to the musicians across the way playing “le jazz americain.” One day we stopped by on our way home and discovered a wonderful old cafe with a zinc covered bar with bunches of grapes carved into the metal.
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The first time we spent the day in Lourmarin we went to a restaurant for lunch, eating on the terrace under the shade of huge, graceful plane trees. (they are magnificent, and line many roads leading into the villages) I describe our meal because it pertains to the rest of my story. We chose the menu: the plat du jour. We began with a soup of pureed red pepper, followed by a a main course of filets of white fish braised in white wine, and pureed sweet potatoes with Wasabi sauce. It was delicious. Shortly after we arrived, a young French family was seated across the way from us - the two little boys (I later asked) were ages 2 and 5. The adults ordered the same special as we did and the “child’s plate” for the boys. We were astonished to see that the child’s plate was not some version of chicken nuggets, fries, hot dogs or some such thing, but an exact replica of what we all were eating but in a small portion. It was a delight to see the little 2 year old with that gigantic French soup spoon, eating the red pepper soup ( all over his face as with any 2 year old) and relishing the potatoes with Wasabi! We got such a kick out of that. Now we know how the French develop such a sophisticated palate - they start young!
Market Photos
February 15th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
The Lourmarin market is one of our favorites too - thanks for making us feel like we were right there!
February 15th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Linda, I checked flight costs today . . . we may be caving, even if the dollar is so weak. We stayed near Vaison la Romaine in 2004, and we’d like to return there. We’ll see, but your photos are very alluring!
February 15th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Wonderful photos! Lourmarin is one of my favorite places in the world, and I love your story of the petit gourmand.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I’ve been to Vaiison la Romaine, but not this village. It looks lovely. ALL of Provence is lovely.
Enjoyed your photos.
February 16th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Your stories and photos are delightful. Keem ‘em coming!!
February 16th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Oops! Keep ‘em coming! When will I learn to proof before I send?
February 16th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Thanks so much Emily for transporting me back to Southwest France - my brother and his family live near Carcassonne and I love it all so much. The markets and outdoor restaurants are to die for - I can’t wait to return this Fall hopefully.
Yes the children do learn to appreciate real food at a very young age - although my granddaughter, 9 at the time we took her in 2006, just about choked on cuttlefish and Pissaladiere. Those were just too French for her palate!!
February 16th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos. Next visit for us we have to set aside time to visit the beautiful villages of Provence. We love outdoor markets almost anywhere. Add wine, bread and cheese-doesn’t get any better.
February 17th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Hi Emily, you are doing great. Just love the pictures and the story of the little boy..The markets are delightful and offer so much. I can just imagine sitting in the square, people watching and having lunch!!!
February 17th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Beautiful photos!
February 19th, 2008 at 3:07 am
Most French parents give their children the food they are eating themselves. If child can’t chew yet, they puree the fish and wasabi!
I spend a lot of time in India where kids also eat what their parents have including grilled chili peppers, curries etc.