Monday, December 23, 2019

Monday decisions.


Off to the fancy bakers in Toulouse at first light.


The collection of cakes on display requires some careful studying. By the time we get to the front of the queue we opt for an Opera, a mille feuille, a raspberry tart ( for The Font ) and something with mandarin slivers on top. I ask what the mandarin thing is but the bakers has seasonal music playing and I miss the explanation in the all enveloping sound of Bing Crosby. A buchette exotique is considered but rejected as being too adventurous at this time of the morning. A young labrador comes into the bakers and makes a friendly bee line for Sophie. This is the time for us to pay and go. 


At the fishmongers lobster is the 'fish of the day'. The price seems high but there again Angus is constantly surprised by the price of everything. We decide to buy some smoked salmon instead.


Sophie gets a little sliver of Roquefort from the cheese lady. They have Brie de Melun which has a better texture than Brie de Meaux but more difficult to find.



Christmas song 20 and a cheerful Annie Lennox. If you're going to hail redemptions happy dawn this is the way to do it : https://youtu.be/nAMbRDGabXw?t=34


13 comments:

Lisa in Tokyo said...

Oh, the raspberries - they look gigantic! Now that some of the import barriers are down in Japan, we can buy many different fruits at reasonable prices, but I guess raspberries are too perishable and they are still outrageously expensive. I look forward to listening to Annie Lennox when I get home this evening and can turn up the sound.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
Oh my... is that a redcurrent cheesecake up yonder... this is not good for a gal who is yet to take brekky!!! Thanks for Annie. YAM xx

WFT Nobby said...

The cake display is the subject of careful study here too. As is the collection of cheeses.
Good to hear an Aberdonian voice this morning.
Cheers! Gail.

Poppy Q said...

Ohhh la la - so much choice at this bakery. It all looks delicious. I think your local baker needs to go for a bit of extra training. I would be so fat if I went to this fancy place every day.

Pam in NH said...

Oh the pastry! Sounds like good choices were made.
Thank you for the music this season, we have really enjoyed it each day.
Hugs from New England, Pam

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

The cakes look good....but for us, that cheese display wins!

Coppa's girl said...

Cheese would win first place here too. Not that I'd say no to a cake, and if one was offered I'd go for the Tarte au Citron or the Tarte Framboises, or the....oh dear - decisions, decisions!

Taste of France said...

May I indiscreetly ask the name of the fancy bakers in Toulouse? I have been getting there somewhat more regularly as my Cost Center makes demands for things to be found only in large cities. I am not complaining. Actually the last trip was to pick up a piece of furniture found on le Bon Coin, and a tour of centre ville was slipped in before the heavy lifting. Anyway, there are so many choices in Toulouse, and it would be nice to steer toward something specific rather than accepting whatever flotsam is passing at the moment.
We have a new village baker--quite the story there. The long-time baker, by the name of Froment if you can believe it (name=destiny?), was a drunk who smoked while working and, being hung over burned the bread. A young guy converted an old grange into a restaurant and brought in a new baker, just down the street. The old baker wanted to retire and had somebody lined up to buy out his bakery, but it fell through because of the incredible success of the new baker. The new baker's goods are not just smoke-free and unburned, but delicious. I almost cry for joy when I eat a croissant. Sublime. But it's a village and the fancy cake selection is limited. Probably all the best for my cholesterol.

Angus said...

Pillon near Charmes is the bakers we find to be consistently the best . Parking is easy and the market has better smoked salmon than Victor Hugo - sold by a Scottish lady. If you're going to drive for an hour then it's worth picking up something that you can't get locally.

Angus said...

Yes, a large redcurrant cheesecake it is.

Angus said...

I'd never noticed the trademark tremulousness to the singers voice before.

Lizzie said...

I stumbled upon you recently. You have just lost a pup and I have lost a lovely old kitty. Can not tell you how much I've enjoyed your magical and comforting posts. And your musical suggestions. I must go back and collect them all... Happy Christmas.
Lizzie

50 and counting said...

Why do husbands always remark on the price? We need to eat.