Coping With The Loss of a Parent — My sister’s phone call felt like a punch in the gut. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I knew my mother had started her hospice care; I just didn’t think the end would come so quickly. Just a few days before, she had come home from the hospital and seemed…

A Farmhouse Chicken Stuffed with Foie Gras and Truffles — I fear that I may lose a few of you when I recount this next story. My more sympathetic friends might even start a GoFundMe page to help raise money for my orphaned son. The hedonism did not end after the bouillabaisse. Non, that would have been far too prudent. …

Eating Bouillabaisse at L’Esplaï du Grand Bar des Goudes — There always comes a moment on a French vacation when I realize that this level of overindulgence cannot continue for too much longer. Most of my travel mates have already succumbed to their first ‘Crise de Foie’. A few have converted to devout veganism and one even went as far…

Eating at My Favorite Restaurant in the World — When the Good Lord begins to doubt the world, he remembers that he created Provence. — Frederic Mistral We all have our own versions of Heaven. Some imagine a peaceful place where they will live out eternity with God; others imagine a world where they get everything they ever lusted…

Celebrating the End of Truffle Season with a Back Alley Deal — The call came while we were touring the ancient Greco-Roman city of Glanum on the outskirts of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. ‘Come quick if you want the last truffle of the season. Bring cash.’ Click; the line went dead. My heart began to race as I stuck my phone back into my pocket…

A Cassoulet Crisis Averted — Dear readers, by the time you see this post the storm will have passed and bright skies are prevailing again in my life. Rest assured that I am still very much alive, although I won’t lie, it was touch and go there for a while. …

A Gastronomical Map of France —

Restaurant La Cabro d’Or Baumanière, Les Baux-de-Provence — What a great pre-birthday celebration I had! My friends Walter and JaNahn treated us to lunch at Cabro d’Or, the sister restaurant to the famous Oustau de Baumaniere. I have to admit that as I age I am less impressed with fancy restaurants and much prefer simpler fare. …

Dining at Café des Fédérations — Café des Fédérations. At 150 years, may not be the oldest bouchon but it certainly is one of the most famous. The menu is a gastronomical homage to Lyon cuisine with centuries of tradition served with every bite. Our bodies are finally fully adjusted to French time, no more jet…