After picking up our car, we headed to Burgundy with no reservations for two nights. Our first stop was Avallon, the Burgundian hill town perched serenely on a promontory between two ravines where there are more treasures of architecture-and good food. The church there of Saint-Lazare is one of the rarest Romanesque curiosities.
Years ago I stayed at the Hostellerie de La Poste. This venerable hostelry dates back to 1707 and received Napoleon on one of his trips. Alas they were not serving lunch but recommented a place. "Le Relais des Gourmets," where I tasted my first Soupier d'escargots, a snail soup that is topped by a crust so that it looks like a mushroom.
Luck took us to Tournus where we found an unusual motel. Our room was a little wooden cottage with a porch bedecked with hanging geraniums and located in a parc behind stone walls. There was a fountain and benches of wrought iron with wooden seats. Breakfast was served by a lovely pool. We were amused by an English lady who was perplexed why there was not any cereal. "Like Kellog's."
Now we were on our way to the Gorge du loup, we stopped in La Mure At a place called, Le Pub. I had a salade Grenobloise, that is greens, walnuts, gruyére cheese, poivrons.
The drive through the Grenoble area is wonderful, with mountains all around you.
We were driving on the Route de Napolean, just outside Gap in the Commune Of Senez when suddenly our car wouldn't steer and stopped right before the archway of stone where drivers toot their horn to let you know they ar passing through. J. had to stand on the road and wave trucks and cars to pass us. What to do, stranded at nowhere it seemed!! Suddenly a red car pulled over and a lovely lady stepped out. She was amazing. She phoned Eurocar for us and our hotel, as we would not be there for dinner. She stayed with us for two full hours til the tow truck came. Kisses all around and many thank yous. The mechanic drove his in his truck to the garage in St Andre Les Alpes. He called a cab for us and locked his shop and said to call him in the morning.It was way over an hour befor the cab came because it was from a distant town. None were available in St Andre. It was an hour and a half drive to our hotel and 11pm when we finally arrived. Jean Pierre, the wonderful guy who runs this hotel and fabulous salads for us of fruit de mer. I ordered my favorite Rosé from Bandol, Domaine Templier. In the middle of the meal, the Sirocco struck, knocking over umbrellas and glasses, one umbrella following on our table where we were sitting in a somewhat sheltered corner of the terrace. The Sirocco is warmer and not as fierce as the Mistral, but during the night, you couldn't convince me as I heard pottery being smashed and shutters banging. The next morning all was calm and when we came downstairs for breakfast, Jean Pierre said, Eurocar phoned for J. to taxi to Nice to pick up another car in the afternoon. We had reservations for La Table de Mon Moulin we we had to call another taxi to take us to the village of La Rouet. I thought reservatins were for 12 but when I rang the gate buzzer, Mme Silva said 12:30 was the requested time. I explained our situation, so she buzzed us in and had this chance to wander the grounds followed by one of her cats and two English setters.
This restaurant is lovely. Only six tables. Two tables of Germans, two of Brits, one French. This is a set menu. Chef Silva comes to each table to explain what you are eating at every course. More later. I must rest my hand.
Years ago I stayed at the Hostellerie de La Poste. This venerable hostelry dates back to 1707 and received Napoleon on one of his trips. Alas they were not serving lunch but recommented a place. "Le Relais des Gourmets," where I tasted my first Soupier d'escargots, a snail soup that is topped by a crust so that it looks like a mushroom.
Luck took us to Tournus where we found an unusual motel. Our room was a little wooden cottage with a porch bedecked with hanging geraniums and located in a parc behind stone walls. There was a fountain and benches of wrought iron with wooden seats. Breakfast was served by a lovely pool. We were amused by an English lady who was perplexed why there was not any cereal. "Like Kellog's."
Now we were on our way to the Gorge du loup, we stopped in La Mure At a place called, Le Pub. I had a salade Grenobloise, that is greens, walnuts, gruyére cheese, poivrons.
The drive through the Grenoble area is wonderful, with mountains all around you.
We were driving on the Route de Napolean, just outside Gap in the Commune Of Senez when suddenly our car wouldn't steer and stopped right before the archway of stone where drivers toot their horn to let you know they ar passing through. J. had to stand on the road and wave trucks and cars to pass us. What to do, stranded at nowhere it seemed!! Suddenly a red car pulled over and a lovely lady stepped out. She was amazing. She phoned Eurocar for us and our hotel, as we would not be there for dinner. She stayed with us for two full hours til the tow truck came. Kisses all around and many thank yous. The mechanic drove his in his truck to the garage in St Andre Les Alpes. He called a cab for us and locked his shop and said to call him in the morning.It was way over an hour befor the cab came because it was from a distant town. None were available in St Andre. It was an hour and a half drive to our hotel and 11pm when we finally arrived. Jean Pierre, the wonderful guy who runs this hotel and fabulous salads for us of fruit de mer. I ordered my favorite Rosé from Bandol, Domaine Templier. In the middle of the meal, the Sirocco struck, knocking over umbrellas and glasses, one umbrella following on our table where we were sitting in a somewhat sheltered corner of the terrace. The Sirocco is warmer and not as fierce as the Mistral, but during the night, you couldn't convince me as I heard pottery being smashed and shutters banging. The next morning all was calm and when we came downstairs for breakfast, Jean Pierre said, Eurocar phoned for J. to taxi to Nice to pick up another car in the afternoon. We had reservations for La Table de Mon Moulin we we had to call another taxi to take us to the village of La Rouet. I thought reservatins were for 12 but when I rang the gate buzzer, Mme Silva said 12:30 was the requested time. I explained our situation, so she buzzed us in and had this chance to wander the grounds followed by one of her cats and two English setters.
This restaurant is lovely. Only six tables. Two tables of Germans, two of Brits, one French. This is a set menu. Chef Silva comes to each table to explain what you are eating at every course. More later. I must rest my hand.
