Some writers have all the fun, I think. In his latest book, John Baxter, an expat twenty-year Paris-ite and writer, sets off in search of all the wonderful classic French foods, foods which are slowly disappearing from French tables. Baxter explores kir and pineau and pastis and absinthe. He looks for the very best caviar. He samples macarons and cannelé and madeleines. He tracks down truffles and lamphrey eels and bouillabaisse and soupe à l'oignon (onion soup) and even le bœuf en broche (an ox on a spit).
He is off to find the Perfect Meal.
I love books more than real life at times, and yet I know the limits of reading. Would that I could travel with John Baxter, eating amazing foods and dallying around France, seeking that most ideal meal. Who wouldn't want to set off on a quest for the Perfect Meal? And in France, no less.
But wait. Any trip to France is really a search for the Perfect Meal, isn't it? I pause to reflect on this. What was our trip to France in 2010 if it wasn't a search for that perfect meal?
The evidence is in the photos.
Where did we go, first thing?
Yes. A cafe.
Onion soup that first day.
Falafel another day.
Lots of window shopping. Coveting, really.
At the park. Eating.
Picnicking. At the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
Cooking class. Olive bread. A tapenade. Delish.
A day of wine tasting.
Food everywhere at the outdoor markets.
A not-very-good selfie of two of us, book friends, meeting up to---of course---eat in Paris.
Accidentally made an eensy-weensy video instead of a photo of our food that day.
Shopping for our evening meal in Provence.
There's really nothing like a meal you prepare yourself, is there?
Fish. Tomatoes. Green beans. Bread. Fruit. Cheese. And, of course, wine.
Fish. Tomatoes. Green beans. Bread. Fruit. Cheese. And, of course, wine.
And that's it, I think. My perfect meal.
If you can't make it to France this year, then I urge you to sample The Perfect Meal.
It's the second best thing to a trip around France.
It's the second best thing to a trip around France.
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I have The Perfect Meal in my TBR. I saw John Baxter speak at the Sydney Writers Festival in May about his most recent book, Paris at the End of the World, about Paris during WW1. I've read a few of his books, and enjoyed them all. I do love all your food photos, and remember our lunch very well, how lovely it was, and how lovely to meet you for the first time.
ReplyDeleteMy time in France is still, four years later, as vivid in my mind and my heart as if I was there yesterday. Lovely is a perfect word. It was a lovely lunch and it was lovely to meet you for the first time.
ReplyDeleteYour trip looks amazing! And I love your perfect meal - simple and fresh!
ReplyDeleteWell, now I'm hungry!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing trip that was- thanks for bringing us along.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delicious post! Looks like you have an awesome time in France, esp. when you aim at enjoying all their culinary offerings. Taking a cooking class is an excellent idea. A revisit?
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you knew exactly how to enjoy France: the foodie way! Great photos!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you did a fine job seeking out the Perfect Meal in France. Love all these photos!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful time. Seeking out the perfect meal sounds like a great idea. Now I am hungry!
ReplyDeleteSean at His and Her Hobbies
Oh what FuN you've had ! and so well expressed for us to enjoy along with you =)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deb, for stopping by Paris in July for teatime at my blog ~
Did you know....
DeleteVirgin Mobile Aus @VirginMobileAus · Jul 10
For every food pic you post to Twitter with #mealforameal, we’ll deliver a real meal to someone in need. ... ?
Maybe you'd consider tweeting some of your fab pics ?
I am drooling here...what wonderful shots that bring the food to me...I can almost taste it! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful time you must have had! I love all the photos, each one more beautiful and interesting than the next. Your perfect meal looks perfect to me too. I want to go to Paris!
ReplyDeleteThat sure sounds like my perfect meal, too. What a memorable trip!!
ReplyDeleteOh yummy! I want those strawberries for breakfast. Honestly, I could spend an entire week visiting cafés.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Paris, but your trip looks amazing. And more and more as an adult, when I take a vacation, I make sure to schedule a couple of top-tier restaurants... because the search for the perfect meal really is what it's all about. *grin*
ReplyDeleteI must read the book The Perfect Meal and thanks for sharing your passion for food in photos. Love them! Here is my post.http://tinyurl.com/n53ugk9
ReplyDeleteTo quote Hemingway, "Paris is a moveable feast." Your photos are delicious :)
ReplyDeletePlanning to visit Rome in 2015! (For the food, of course!) What great memories and photos you've got from your trip to France!
ReplyDeleteI am loving the 'Paris in July' foody posts this year. Your photos are fantastics and your trip sounds perfect. And I agree with you - if you've been shopping in the fresh food markets in Provence, then there's nothing better that eating a meal prepared by you for you! thanks for taking me to France with you in this post.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful trip! I'd be all about the Parisienne bakeries should I ever make it to France :)
ReplyDeleteShelleyrae @ Book'd Out
my perfect meal would include watermelon, Can't get much better than that. The wine tasting would be great as well. thanks for sharing your trip.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos! It makes me want to go to Paris!
ReplyDeleteThe cookery class looks great fun.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine a trip to Paris and the food to be explored! Thanks for sharing your photos.
ReplyDeleteTotally delightful -- A trip to Paris is indeed the search for a perfect meal! And it looks like you found more than one! I think during my visit I had more than one, too -- a fancy one and then the perfect tartine (?) sitting in a park on our first day. Yes, the other had courses and wine -- but that had the memories!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for coming by The Marmelade Gypsy -- just got up my second PIJ post. I do love it and am catching up!
The food in Baxter's book was appealing, but at times I felt he was falling back on cliches and standard expectations, which dulled the edge of his writing. For me there are a lot better books about French food and how it's enjoyed by outsiders, as well as books by French writers.
ReplyDelete