Arrival to beautiful Provence
After bringing all of our Studio Italia happy participants to the Arezzo train station, and a long train ride from Florence and a night stop in Milano, we finally arrived to our lodge in Provence, located on the Plateau de Valensole. After unpacking, it was 9:00 p.m. and we were hungry. We head to Puimoisson and we stopped at the first restaurant called Le tracteur. Since Puimoisson’s population must be around 350 souls, we did not know exactly what to expect. And… we left extremely happy, and this is why.
As first course, Monica chose Médaillon d’aubergines et cantal et petite glace au vinaigre balsamique (a thick slice of eggplant in a phillo paste with a softened Cantal cheese sauce accompanied by a balsamic vinegar ice cream); followed by a few Noix de Saint-Jacques (scallops) with a Muscat wine sauce accompanied of a creamy polenta. As for me, the classic Provencal anchoïade on cubed raw veggies; and then, a few slices of pork tender loin deglazed in Coca-cola with a parmesan “tuile” (soften parmesan from the skillet shaped in an oval). For desert, Monica chose a Faisselle au coulis de coings and I, a Crottin de chèvre with a coulis of green tomato jam. Everything was cooked to perfection, and yes!… we enjoyed a very good Côte du Luberon rosé and finished our meal with subtle eaux de vies: a pear and a raspberry!
Why did we enjoy so much our meal? Because of the audacity and the creativity that the chef/owners demonstrated in concocting their menus. We had a beautiful food experience. We hope that our guest painting students will be as creative and adventurous in the fields of blooming lavender!
Walk the Arts (living through the arts) 