Only finally got to reading this (and a good thing I did, as it reminded me to ask the refund due to my last train ride's delay).
I had to sigh in longing reading about watercress: we get plenty of wonderful things in Rome, but I do miss watercress salads, particularly good when mixed with roast beef juices and goat cheese. Arugula doesn't quite fills the spot (but also because real (as in French) goat cheese is seldom seen in Rome).
Ok so kiwi fruit is from NZ generally, which isn’t really ‘down under’ though it is … sort of 😳 Australia is ‘the land down under’ according to the song and we have a fiesty love hate relationship with our neighbours across the ditch. We lived there for 3 years while my Aussie physicist husband did research on kiwi fruit!!!
Read the entire newsletter with photos. All I can remember is the picture of the baguettes. Hope that doesn't make me a bad person. On a(nother) rainy night in Connecticut, I would love to be enjoying one with a cup of Cafe Americano, and a whole stick of salted butter. As always, a fun post.
Another great tale David, and what a fabulous market, I lusted after those tiny taties, can imagine boiled in their skins and slathered with butter ..salted! My husband often comments as to why I have so much food in the fridge, just wait for a couple of days and it will be gone, I say. And sure enough after having family over and finishing off the leftovers, voila! It is gone.
Cy here is San Francisco! David , I love reading your adventures/ newsletter; such a joy. I always feel like I’m right there with you and Romain strolling through. The markets, dish shopping and eating those lovely meals. We are so fortunate here in the Bay Area, we can almost live like Europeans we have such abundance year round of high quality produce, dairy, etc. Still it’s different. After watching the video on fast food in France( something I never eat), of course it’s better there; local farmers, a list of additives France doesn’t allow. Still it’s fascinating ; maybe it’s because of the simplicity? Lol
What a feast for the eyes! I foolishly read this before lunch, and now I'm ravenous. I feel so lucky to have access to the greenmarkets in New York City, whose produce outshines anything you can get in a regular grocery store. (So much so that, when visiting family out of state I feel like a total fruit and vegetable snob.) This Breton market looks exceptional. Thank you for transporting me to such a bountiful, magical place!
What a delicious weekend. My husband first enjoyed anduiette (wish I could spell it correctly!) when our son was teaching English in Brest and we visited him twice. Now when we’re in Paris we always make sure to find a restaurant that serves the AAAA variety. I guess it’s an “acquired” taste, kind of like gefilte fish?😁❤️
Bonjour David, There are flights between Rennes and Paris, but they are to/from Roissy-CDG. So from your perspective, it is quicker to just take the train out of Montparnasse. We prefer taking the train as well, but have flown to CDG to connect to other European cities. The quickest train between Rennes and Roissy-CDG takes over 2 and a half hours, so flights between Rennes and CGD are still allowed under the ban on short haul domestic flights. The worse thing about the train between Rennes and CDG is that it never matches up with your flight and you end up hanging out at the station for hours and there aren't enough places to sit.
Hi David. I’ll be in Paris in a couple of weeks and I have to stay in a hotel, as opposed to with my friends. Could you please recommend a restaurant that serves really good white asparagus?
They are tasteless and very expensive here in S. CA. Thank you. Lidia Streja
Joyeuses Pâques! Merci beaucoup for another delicious post of great descriptions and photos. We love market days when in France; so lively and vibrant with fresh produce & array of gorgeous quality regional foods. While visiting Brittany last Sept, we came across the same charming man selling the gateaux Bretons & kouign amman at Dinan’s Thursday market. Difficult to not over buy when you want everything you see. The market was perfect for buying same day picnic items like fruit, a baguette, fromages, charcuterie, les gateaux, patisserie or two delectable slices of pâte en croute de canard for just €9! …I recall seeing an old Rick Stein episode (Secret France series?) where he visits a much revered andouillette maker who shows the laborious hand crafted process! ….I was thrilled last year when I qualified for the Carte Advantage Senior at 60. Although good for only a year, all the discounted fares more than paid for itself since we traveled extensively by train. Hope you’ve been having a fabulous weekend!
Only finally got to reading this (and a good thing I did, as it reminded me to ask the refund due to my last train ride's delay).
I had to sigh in longing reading about watercress: we get plenty of wonderful things in Rome, but I do miss watercress salads, particularly good when mixed with roast beef juices and goat cheese. Arugula doesn't quite fills the spot (but also because real (as in French) goat cheese is seldom seen in Rome).
what a lovely trip to the countryside and to see friends. Thank you for taking us along on your adventures David.
Is Romain getting busy in the gardens ? Any updates to what he is growing for you?
I want to cancel my subscription but cannot find the path to do this. Help is requested and appreciated.
Ok so kiwi fruit is from NZ generally, which isn’t really ‘down under’ though it is … sort of 😳 Australia is ‘the land down under’ according to the song and we have a fiesty love hate relationship with our neighbours across the ditch. We lived there for 3 years while my Aussie physicist husband did research on kiwi fruit!!!
Lovely post again, thanks David.
Read the entire newsletter with photos. All I can remember is the picture of the baguettes. Hope that doesn't make me a bad person. On a(nother) rainy night in Connecticut, I would love to be enjoying one with a cup of Cafe Americano, and a whole stick of salted butter. As always, a fun post.
Lovely evocative writing. I had to look up cafe noisette. And I will try to remember it's a possibility!
Another great tale David, and what a fabulous market, I lusted after those tiny taties, can imagine boiled in their skins and slathered with butter ..salted! My husband often comments as to why I have so much food in the fridge, just wait for a couple of days and it will be gone, I say. And sure enough after having family over and finishing off the leftovers, voila! It is gone.
Cy here is San Francisco! David , I love reading your adventures/ newsletter; such a joy. I always feel like I’m right there with you and Romain strolling through. The markets, dish shopping and eating those lovely meals. We are so fortunate here in the Bay Area, we can almost live like Europeans we have such abundance year round of high quality produce, dairy, etc. Still it’s different. After watching the video on fast food in France( something I never eat), of course it’s better there; local farmers, a list of additives France doesn’t allow. Still it’s fascinating ; maybe it’s because of the simplicity? Lol
What a feast for the eyes! I foolishly read this before lunch, and now I'm ravenous. I feel so lucky to have access to the greenmarkets in New York City, whose produce outshines anything you can get in a regular grocery store. (So much so that, when visiting family out of state I feel like a total fruit and vegetable snob.) This Breton market looks exceptional. Thank you for transporting me to such a bountiful, magical place!
What a delicious weekend. My husband first enjoyed anduiette (wish I could spell it correctly!) when our son was teaching English in Brest and we visited him twice. Now when we’re in Paris we always make sure to find a restaurant that serves the AAAA variety. I guess it’s an “acquired” taste, kind of like gefilte fish?😁❤️
Bonjour David, There are flights between Rennes and Paris, but they are to/from Roissy-CDG. So from your perspective, it is quicker to just take the train out of Montparnasse. We prefer taking the train as well, but have flown to CDG to connect to other European cities. The quickest train between Rennes and Roissy-CDG takes over 2 and a half hours, so flights between Rennes and CGD are still allowed under the ban on short haul domestic flights. The worse thing about the train between Rennes and CDG is that it never matches up with your flight and you end up hanging out at the station for hours and there aren't enough places to sit.
Hi David. I’ll be in Paris in a couple of weeks and I have to stay in a hotel, as opposed to with my friends. Could you please recommend a restaurant that serves really good white asparagus?
They are tasteless and very expensive here in S. CA. Thank you. Lidia Streja
lidiastreja@gmail.com
Joyeuses Pâques! Merci beaucoup for another delicious post of great descriptions and photos. We love market days when in France; so lively and vibrant with fresh produce & array of gorgeous quality regional foods. While visiting Brittany last Sept, we came across the same charming man selling the gateaux Bretons & kouign amman at Dinan’s Thursday market. Difficult to not over buy when you want everything you see. The market was perfect for buying same day picnic items like fruit, a baguette, fromages, charcuterie, les gateaux, patisserie or two delectable slices of pâte en croute de canard for just €9! …I recall seeing an old Rick Stein episode (Secret France series?) where he visits a much revered andouillette maker who shows the laborious hand crafted process! ….I was thrilled last year when I qualified for the Carte Advantage Senior at 60. Although good for only a year, all the discounted fares more than paid for itself since we traveled extensively by train. Hope you’ve been having a fabulous weekend!
Everything in this post is delightful, but: that carafe! Superb!
Hoping you didn't miss out on five years of the SNCF senior discount card - they're available at 60 (just got mine!)
Are the bathrooms on the train at least bigger than on a plane!