love affair with a Mont Blanc

It was love at first sight. It came as suddenly and unexpected as a spring rain. Romantic movies and stories do not prepare you for the real thing. I walked down the crowded entrance way of the famous dessert shop Angelina in Paris- the location nearest to the Louvre with Sarah and her friend Jess and felt a chill down my spine. The decor was lovely, and the sweet smell of their famous slow churned hot chocolate filled the air. Of course I was excited. Sarah as well as other friends had given this bakery and Salon de the, rave reviews. My eyes immediately began searching around the room for a glance at their world famous desserts. While these pastries don't come cheap, I threw caution to the wind and settled on a cup of their piping hot, but oh-so-thick and decadent hot chocolate, which they keep warm in copper kettles, and bought a single Mont-Blanc.

Mont Blanc.

Mont Blanc.

Mont Blanc.


The stuff dreams are made of.

A crispy and airy merengue base for a mound of delicate and smooth whipped cream topped by chestnut paste which is piped on top of the cream and merengue in delicate strips. A light dusting of powdered sugar gives it a snowy effect.

If you have never had chestnuts- or more specifically "marrons" which is what you find in France, do try them. Enjoying a dessert that does not have a chocolate component is a rare occurrence for me and should speak to the interesting and perfectly balanced group of flavors in the Mont Blanc. It's not too heavy, but full of sublte flavors... vanilla bean especially.

a classy meal on the go.

Who would have thought that I could buy escargot on the go...? Well yes folks, you can in France. For a measly price of 4 euros, I can consume 12 large escargot already prepared in a tasty bed of garlic, basil, and lots of butter. When I say lots of butter, I mean more butter than is probably okay to consume in one night.
I was a bit apprehensive about buying pre-packaged escargot because well, escargot are cooked snails and I'm no expert on snails. While my dinner on Thursday night might not have been reminiscent of classy soirees at 4 star restaurants where waiters dressed in a suit and tie offer you a hot ceramic pan carved with holes the perfect size to fit the little cooked gastropods and where the meal is accompanied by little silver tongs used to help you handle the shells with ease... I can confirm to you that I had a very enjoyable meal with the help of my oven.

My first escargot experience was with my mom at the "world famous"? La Cigale here in Nantes which boasts the title of One of the Oldest Brasseries in France. There we had the six Escargots, which were of course swimming in a sea of butter, accompanied by bread and more butter. Simply delicious.

You have GOT TO love France. A delicacy offered in a foil encasement and wrapped in plastic at the supermarket...
I might surprise you when say my supermarket escargot were actually quite tasty as compared to ones I have had in restaurants.
All I had to do is preheat the oven, pop in the little suckers until the butter was sufficiently melted and warm. YUM!!!

Even if you don't like escargot, the French are right about one thing in the very least. The combination of three flavors create a taste explosion unlike any other: GARLIC + BASIL + BUTTER. Try it right now. You will not be disappointed.

Pineau des Charentes

According to an online definition, Pineau des Charentes is: "a regional French aperitif, made in the départements of Charente and Charente-Maritime in western France. Whilst popular in Charente, it is less well-known in other regions of France and somewhat uncommon abroad.
It is a fortified wine (mistelle or vin de liqueur), made from a blend of lightly-fermented grape must and Cognac eau-de-vie"

I bought this bottle at the Wine and Food Expo that took place in Nantes a couple of months ago from a lovely older couple who made it in their Family owned distillery. She was so sweet and gave me and the two other people I was with free samples of some of their products. There is a light pineau- the color of sweet white wine. I liked both but ultimately chose the red instead of the white which I thought was sweeter.