Monday 24 October 2011

Holiday in France, Pau

Last week of September our family had a week in Pau, south west France , Our villa was looking at Pyrenees and sit on the  top of sloppy vineyard, it was just like a room with a view kind of house.But it was a long drive , spent 2 night on the way, La Rochelle is very charming old port and bustling with holidaymakers.
Pau is very near Bilbao and San Sebastian, we even we managed to have lunch in San Sebastian, and afternoon tea at Biarritz!
Whenever I am in France,  I like to be in a villa with a comfortable kitchen, I do enjoy shopping in the local supermarket, specially the fish counter. I could even buy fresh anchovies there, I use to eat anchovy's/ grilled or stewed in Korea and Greece, believe me, they are so tasty, simply grill with a pinch of salt.
We had  three course set menu lunch at  Chez Ruffet,  one star Michelin restaurant, in the village of Jurancon, about five minutes from our villa. The food was well presented, and we ate in a small, but very pretty courtyard.



I was very annoyed with the head waiter, They all think, we, English never had French food and explain with broken English with manner of superior. I would like shout at them, ' do you know how many French bistro and restaurant in London? do not treat us like we are having lunch first time at 1 Micheline French Restaurant!!!, Having said the starter was excellent,lobster bisque with grilled prawn on the to along with shaved cauliflower top. Main course was very disappointing for me, roast rabbit saddle wrapped in the foil and served on the bed of artichoke moose, 2 tiny leaves of Brussels sprout. the dish was so pale it looked very unattractive , taste was no memorable either. It needed some kind of crunch texture, like salad , only two tiny green leaves look very mean.
Desert was a star, well made brownie with pear and pepper sorbet on the top.

We all had relaxing holiday, a sunny weather was a great bonus. We thought food is not cheap in the cafe or bistro than here in UK or even expensive, but I loved cooking with local ingredients, also price of meat and vegetables are not cheaper than UK, only fish and sea foods are better..
Here are the pohotos of our villa and  lunch at the Jurancon, starter and desert.