Thursday, January 10, 2013

Seillans lunch in Provence



While in Provence this last October, we found a very nice restaurant for lunch recommended by a British shop owner.  Chez Hugo in the village of Seillans was just the cutest little spot.  The door was open to the outside as the weather was very nice.  The waiter told us they had only opened two months prior, but they had a nice crowd for lunch.  A much needed good restaurant in this village.

You see our appetizer above.  Oh my!!!  Oh my!!  I don't think I have ever tasted anything so good.  I know, I have said that so many times before while dining in France.  But this....sigh

The chef named it Gratin de Moules de Bouch ot Safranees Tombeé.  Yes, my love for mussels (moules) has just been expanded.  In these little cast iron pots were onions, garlic which were slightly thickened.  Then mussels and spinach and saffron were added to the pot and then into the oven to bake to perfection.  These are the flavors I made out.  So delicious, the rest of the meal was almost not that important.

There was also entertainment at this restaurant.  As I said before, the door was open.  Pretty soon after we were seated, a cat strolled in and looked around.  There was a chalkboard on an easel sitting on the floor with the days menu written on it.  Well, the visiting cat started rubbing against the legs as cats do.  All of a sudden, the easel collapses to the floor and the cat goes flying out the door.  Quickly, the waiter runs over to see what the noise was.  I told him the cat knocked it over.  He goes to the door and yells for "Romeo".  Seems Romeo lives in the restaurant.  It took quite a while before Romeo strolled back in as if nothing happened.  Cats are like that, aren't they?  If you know me really well, I simply tolerate cats but do not have a great love for them; not like for dogs.  But when a cat can be this entertaining, you gotta love it.  If only you could have seen the fast run out of the restaurant and then the nonchalant stroll back in as if nothing happen.  

13 comments:

  1. Me... No, I didn't do it... didn't see a thing... LOL!

    Those mussels look DIVINE!!! Yum! The best mussels I ever had were in Gulf Shores last spring at Steamers. They were simply steamed... the sweetest, tenderest, most mouth-watering things I've ever had. I crave them! Now, you've got that crave going strong. ;) Hope you have a wonderful day. blessings ~ tanna

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  2. They definitely know how to cook the best over there and this proves it. The mussels sound fantastic with all those good flavors. Cute with the cat. It sounds like a nice little cozy restaurant. This really makes me want to go there!!!

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  3. It's just after 0700 and my mouth is watering for mussels, garlic and onions!
    I made your Jaeger Suppe on Tuesday - it is a big hit and will be made again and again this winter. Like you, I added mushrooms - thanks so much for the great recipe!

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  4. I'm with you on the cat bit. And what I detest most is their need to rub against your legs... Cats are only cute on pictures.(Sorry, cat lovers.) Love dogs, though. Got that from my dad...we always had dogs in our family.

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  5. We've stayed with friends who had a lovely home in Seillans for a week and its highly possible we might have eaten in this restaurant. Sseillans is such a charming village and close enough to drive down to Nice or Cannes for the day.

    Love the looks of those mussels. Funny story about Romeo. I bet this wasn't his first nor his last escapade with the easel. The owner seemed to know who to blame right away :)
    Sam

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  6. Yep, that's a typical cat... haha! The mussels dish sounds wonderful!

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  7. Love the Romeo story and your mussels look wonderful. We are going back to France this summer on a motorcycle tour. Should be interesting.

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  8. It looks delicious but there is no way I would eat mussels!

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  9. What a lovely way to begin a meal. Romeo sounds like a piece of work. Cats are truly unique. Ours is psychotic but that's a story for another day :-). Have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary

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  10. "While in Provence" - always nice to begin a post like this. The mussels sound outstanding.

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  11. Oh my, those mussels look wonderful!

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  12. OMG! Is a good phrase for French food! Sometimes there is just no other way to describe it. I cannot say honestly that I have ever eaten a bad French meal.

    A cafe, with a cat is just how they roll. You do have to love it.

    Velva

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  13. So funny Susan! I know that cat has brought laughs and smiles every time you think or talk about him. As would this yummy looking appetizer, mmm mmm!

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