Oysters in Fontainebleau

After walking around the Chateau Fontainebleau I realized I had worked up a hunger. As I walked down an alley I saw this cool old fish stand. I bought 2 oysters. 1 was an expensive one and the other was a not quite as expensive one. They were both enjoyable as I sat in France and ate a couple oysters and sipped a beer.

Oysters provide our bodies with protein, iron, omega 3 acids, calcium, zinc, vitamin C and contain no cholesterol.

They guy at the counter shucked them for me so all I had to do was open, squeeze lemons and eat.  

Bon Appetite.oysters

L’escapade – A Fontainbleau Bistro, France

l escapade fontainbleau
rhum

                

  On May 1, 2014 I found my myself in Fontainbleau, France enjoying a holiday called May Day. The only people who have to work on May Day are the restaurant employees so I went to this bistro down the street from Napolean’s house called L’escapade and tried some rum from Martinique.

The staff is friendly & the food is delicious. Go here!

  • Thank you / Merci L’escapade !

           L’escapade 

 

Brussel’s Bar – Fontainebleau, France

mussels & beer

The Brussel’s Bar located on the main street in Fontainbleau, 47 Rue Grande, is a perfect place for an afternoon snack and a beer.

The prices are seasonable, the food is good and it is the perfect way to take a moment to enjoy another day in France.

Hint: the french fries may be in the top 5 worldwide. They are that good!

mussel plate

RAVENSWOOD California Cabernet Sauvignon

ravens wood

Going to a party and can’t decide how much to spend and not buy some junk wine that was a waste of money and made you the indirect voice of ridicule as the tasters made their statements regarding your choice? Well there is another wine to add to the list. Reasonably priced, decent tasting. The Ravenswood line is alright.

R.I.P. my beloved Mr. Coffee coffee maker

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I have owned a Mr. Coffee coffee maker for the last 10 years and have formed 

somewhat of a bond with it. The basic machine got my day started right.

Every morning it patiently waits on the counter for me to decide if I will be making coffee or not.

Well much to my dismay earlier this week my  Mr. Coffee coffee maker just

decided to quit working this week. It was easy to clean, worked quick and

efficiently and made good, hot coffee.

So this week, I have been getting to know my new, replacement coffee maker, the Toastmaster. it looks pretty similar to the old Mr. Coffee. Same color and about the same size. Easy change.

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Well now I have been using a Toastmaster and have to say that I am not all that impressed. I know you are thinking that how can a coffee maker be that different, but they are, and this one bugs me a little.

The new cone shaped filter change is the first change I am dealing with.

It seems the the fine folks at Toastmaster want to use cone shaped filters, so I am adapting my old filters to work since I have so many square ones.

The second thing I immediately noticed was when I poured the coffee out, the fluid hits the lips of the pitcher and gets diverted onto the countertop. This I fixed by taking the top off and cutting it back on my band saw.

The next thing I noticed was that the heating element is not as hearty as the Mr. Coffee coffee maker and now my cups of morning java are not quite hot enough after I add a little milk.

Personally, the Dude of Food would like to buy another Mr. Coffee coffee maker and return to quality.

Bodega ELENA de Mendoza 2010 Red Blend

This family of fine wine is named after the matriarch who came from Italy, Elena Napoli.

peter pearce photo
peter pearce photo

Bodega ELENA de Mendoza    Argentina

2010    RED BLEND

62% Malbec    21% Syrah     17% Bonarda

This family has developed some of my top wines from Argentina. The Malbec and the Red Blend from Bodega Elena de Mendoza are my favorites.

According to wikipedia, the “legs” or  “tears” of wine that run down the inside of the wine glass are a sign of low alcohol. The heavier the legs, the lower the alcoholic content of the wine. If this is in fact true, then these wines are low in alcohol and big in flavor.

This Red Blend, like it’s sister Malbec, are loaded with solid flavors. Not too sweet.

Not too dry, but just right. These wines will slowly undress for your tongue, landing softly, pleasure your taste buds and leave you wanting another sip.

Priced under $10.

MALBEC Review – Espuela del Gaucho Reserve 2012

peter pearce photo
peter pearce photo

This tasty limited edition Malbec was also grown and bottled in the  Mendoza region of Argentina.

Imported by WX Imports, Novato, CA

          www.espueladelgaucho.com

Another fine Malbec that is now on my Top 5 Malbec list. Not as good as my favorite, Bodega de ELENA, but gets close. This wine is a 2012, so maybe it needs a year, but still was a very good selection.

The Espuela del Gaucho has unique, slow running, heavy legs. It carries a lighter body, landing gently on the tongue, joyfully leaving hints of mixed berries grown in the fresh Andes air and then drifts away.

Another quality Malbec, that any California cab or Merlot drinker would enjoy for under $12.

Kudos to this kitchen product maker.

http://www.farberware.com                                        http://www.lifetimebrands.com

A couple weeks ago the Dude of Food needed a new “spatchula” and ended up purchasing a Farberware “slotted turner”.  It turns out there was a problem with the one I bought and I wrote the company an email to ask about it. To the credit of the company, they were interested in hearing what happened and were more than happy to replace the product. Today the new product arrived and all is good in the kitchen again.

Thank you Farberware and parent company Lifetime Brands, for supporting your customers and standing behind your product line. Maximum respect. You can bet the Dude of Food endorses your kitchen gear and when I need new kitchen utensils you can bet I will be looking at your brands.

 

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