Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sailing Around Spain-Turkish Pizza-Lahmacun Recipe

I went on the most amazing trip this summer. I sailed around Fomentera, the private island of Esmerelda and Ibiza, Spain.

I was with the sweetest family and 7 great Turkish staff along with a chef all on a 109 foot sail boat. We woke up each morning and sluggishly lifted ourselves out of the main cabin, onto the top deck and were awoken with beautiful displays of huge plates of fruit (kiwi, melon, strawberries, mango).

Autumn Champagne Tasting

So the leaves, well, they are a changing in the land of 'ol bubbly. It is my personal favorite time of year in the champagne countryside. Here are some photos from some recent client adventures in the land of bubbly- unforgettable days of drinking cuvee after cuvee while Chateau viewing at Comtesse la Fond with a great group of 4 Canadian ladies, eating Michelin star lunches at La Briqueterie in Vinay, hanging with producers dogs, drinking vintage bubbly and devouring regional escargot a local farm. We love Autumn at Tasty Side To Life Tours and love taking clients on champagne tasting trips.

La Semaine de Gout en Champagne- Small Producer Champagne tasting with Champagne Roger Monceaux + 4 lovely Canadien clients

Hanging at the Chateau

Chef Michael Nizzero of La Briqueterie after a cooking demo with clients

Foie Gras amuse bouche with cranberries, croutons and chives

Fish ceviche with grapefruit, orange, croutons and avocado

Avocado soup with pears with salmon and dill

Veal Carpaccio with parmesan, mushrooms and microgreens

John Dorry with pan fried avocado, carrott puree, lime zest and foam

Amazing pup who was playing with a client in Pierry

Hanging in the pinot meunier vines with Mexican winemarkers

Beautiful view in Hautvillers, France

Cute producers dog in Dormons

Automn leaves

Vintage champagne

The Champagne making process explained

Looking at the sediments

Escargot paired with the owners of small producers Champagne

Pate en Croute with a roaring fire and champagne

Monday, November 7, 2011

Some Cooking Music

I am super into this little song that was just in the movie Drive. If you haven't seen it you should. It was kind of violent but really well made.

College featuring Electric Youth-A Real Hero

College feat. Electric Youth - A Real Hero by College

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Charming B & B in Champagne- Les Epicuriens

I had the pleasure of staying at a great B & B in one of my favorite towns in Champagne a few months ago, Les Epicuriens- 9 Rue Jean Thevenin Epernay Marne 51200 (Chambre D'Hôtes avec Hammam). This place is serious gem and if you are lucky enough to be in the region than you should certainly consider staying a night or two here.

The Bed and Breakfast Les Epicuriens is owned by Laure and her husband Eric, 2 french Champenoise locals. They have turned their beautiful home into a modern, cozy and very "locals" feeling Bed and Breakfast, just a 5 minute walk from the center of town. They have 2 suites to choose from both with nice little ensuite living rooms, modern moldings, fireplaces and lots of natural warmth and charm.

They also give guests the possibility to have spa treatments and make use of the steam room on the second floor. A masseuse is just a phone call away and able to offer treatments- massages such as Ayurvedic, Thai foot reflexology, and reiki. The B and B is located just a 5 minute walk from the Avenue de Champagne where you can taste with Moet, Mercier, Castellane or a number of other large Champagne producers. It is close to numerous restaurants ( a 10 minute drive to the Michelin Star "La Briqueterie", boulangeries and great chocolate ateliers. Laure prepared a delicious home made dinner paired with her favorite small producer champagne and the breakfast at the B and B is delightful with homemade jams and lots of fresh fruit. For 140 € to 160€ a night this place is a perfect gem for a getaway weekend to Champagne or a 1 day stopover during your trip to France! To book email Laure at Laure Beuzelin lbeuzelin@les-epicuriens-epernay.com

If you want to combine this B and B with a day of and tastings while getting to know passionate small Champagne producers, sampling at an escargot or Foie gras farm, a Michelin star lunch, and viewing of the impressive Reims Cathedral where 25 Kings of France were crowned then please reach out to www.tastysidetolifetours.com!