Dinner at Le Pins

I look forward to a gastronomical experience like a kid on Christmas eve. I thought about it for hours ahead and planned my meals today to be just the right level of hunger to fully appreciate the tasting. When Heather called last evening to make the reservation, she was asked: if anyone would like to have the Pot-au-Feu, it must ordered in advance. There were four takers, DD, Marie, LA and Barry. This dish is a provencal version of boulebaisse, served table side. Upon arrival we were seated on a beautiful terrace, and offered an apertif. I had the Pastis, while others enjoyed Kir royale, local specialty apertifs and vin Rose.

Heather, Phil and I chose a four course tasting menu, which began with a Muse Bouche, a cold soup of melon. Next I chose a terrine du Lupin (Rabbit Terrine, which was absolutely a decadent choice. It was wrapped in a lightly cured bacon with layers of lupin pate and lupin meat along with roasted peppers. It was served along with a lovely light mesclun salad with baby asparagus. Heather had the same and Phil chose a Shrimp salad. The shrimp weere served whole and were large and succulent. I would had sucked the heads off, but Phil was much more delicate and lady like with them. Next was the "pause provencal", a delightful rosemary scented creme de glace with a shot of a local wine liquer that was very similar to "grappa". The name escapes me. For the main course, we all chose the "filet de bouef", perfectly cooked to medium rare as ordered along with a mustardy bernaise, frites and a light salad. We enjoyed a nice bottle of a local vin Rouge from La Luc with the bouef.

Throughout our meal, the other four enjoyed bowl after bowl of the seafood delicacy and enjoyed this interactive meal with crouton rubbed with garlic, roix, and cheese then topped with the soup.

For dessert we enjoyed large bowls of chocolate ice cream with wafers, cherry ice cream with a reduction of fresh cherries and cream. Others had Mango Gazpacho and Tirimisu. Cafe soon followed to round out the meal.

This was an out of body, welcoming experience that took almost 3 hrs and was not rushed, everything explained, and presentation extrordinare!

As the great poet John Vincent Roe once said, this was the "essence of foginity".

Bon Soir!