Monday, June 24, 2013

After the frugality


La Chapelle d'Abondance, June 22, 2013—

After yesterday's frugality we were hungry today, even thpugh we only walked four hours or so before arriving here. We had a "formula" lunch — any two courses of three, four choices in each course — that was marred only a little by too much insistence on visuals and preesentation. This rabbit terrine, marbled woth foie gras, was quite delicious, and accompanied by some of my favotrites: rhubarb and onion confits, remoulade, and wonderful griottes with preserved little clove mushrooms. 

Afterward, a fine creme brulee flavored with fir somehow, and myrtille ice cream: we are well and truly in the mountains!

Hotel Les Gentianettes, La Chapelle d'Abondance

Dinner at our hotel, more modest, an old-fashioned family-owned place with a good bonne-femme style cook in the kitchen, probably the husband in fact. We eat demi-pension, taking what is offered. Tonight we began with a sort of croque-monsieur, ham on toast, covered with a sort of cheese soufflė; and went on to pork chops, a little dry but tasty, accompanied by splendid gratinée Savoyard.

Then came all the cheeses one could ask, of which I predictably chose tomme, reblochon, and Beaufort; and then strawbwrries with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. We decided to stay another day.

Vins de Savoie, Apremont and Chautagne, nv, quite nice
Hotel Vieux Moulin, La Chapelle d'Abondance

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