Wordless Wednesday: Farmer’s Market in Embrun, France
Paris Hilton, the Sandwich?
When you first think of Paris Hilton you might think of Hollywood, celebrities, and fame.
I, however, think of the best sandwich I’ve EVER had. I discovered this deliciously sweet, melt-in-your-mouth, creamy specialty in an acclaimed downtown Sacramento French eatery just off the beaten path called La Bonne Soupe Café.
When waiting in the adorable, authentically decorated café’s long line, I changed my mind multiple times on what I was going to order off of the menu. As I got to the front of the line, that’s when I saw the special of the day: The Paris Hilton.
Prepared by Chef Ed Stoddard, this warm and toasty hoagie was made on a French baguette with melted brie cheese, fig jam, apricots, pecans, tomatoes and spinach. After the long, but well-worth-it wait, I hurried back to work to try this yummy sandwich.
Forewarning: I’m not one to be a big sandwich fan, but after one bite I changed my mind. I’ve never been to France, but I am positive that this is the type of food you only dream about eating while sitting in a corner café in Paris on a beautiful day.
The La Bonne Soupe Café is known for its tiny quarters, ambient French music, and authentic food. It is the perfect place to grab a tasty meal, meet people (maybe even THE Paris Hilton) and learn about the food that makes this café one of the top Zagat-rated restaurants in the city.
La Bonne Soupe Café
920 8th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 492-9506
La Provence: A Fabulous French Food Frenzy
Every year around this time, my husband and I ask the dreaded question: where should we go for our anniversary dinner? It’s not dreaded because of the occasion, certainly not; it’s dreaded because there are so many choices in the greater Sacramento-area these days that it’s hard to choose! And, now that we have a small child, there is even more pressure to choose a good restaurant and make the most of an evening out!
We started the list with restaurants we’ve never been to before and La Provence Restaurant & Terrace in Roseville quickly rose to the top. Nestled in the Blue Oaks neighborhood in Roseville, La Provence is located in a very unlikely place, perched among oak trees and perfectly polished residential neighborhoods. It has a rustic, yet elegant charm, with a beautiful outdoor terrace underneath a sea of umbrellas. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to sit outside due to a wedding reception, oh, and the fact that it was still a balmy 95 degrees at 7 p.m., so instead we enjoyed a window-side table in comfortable air conditioning!
We started out with the Tatin au Fromage, caramelized apples atop creamy cambozola blue cheese, baked in a puff of pastry, followed by a cup of the Soupe de Tomates, tomato soup made with local tomatoes. For our entrees, we ordered the Saumon avec Haricots Verts, which was a pan-seared salmon, paired with local French green beans and chanterelle mushroom; and the Assiette de Fruits de Mer, “fruits of the sea” such as broiled red mullet, a spicy blue crab cake, sautéed seafood sausage, over a buckwheat taboulé. Even with all that to enjoy, I couldn’t resist ordering a side of the creamy, parmesan-cheesy Risotto d’Maize, a sweet corn risotto – I’m such a sucker for risotto!
I must admit, I’m rarely enticed by the thought of French cuisine, mainly because I’m typically won over by my usual cravings for gluttonous portions, but they do get me on the richness of the food with an abundance of cheese and delectable sauces. Not only was I pleasantly surprised by the portion sizes of the selections we made, I was equally impressed with the variety of foods on the menu. The service was impeccable and the evening was thoroughly enjoyable. I am eager to visit La Provence in the winter time, when we can sit by the fire and enjoy another great meal. I will most definitely be back!
La Provence Restaurant & Terrace
110 Diamond Creek Place
Roseville, CA 95747
(916) 789-2002