Serge the Concierge

Miss Piggy and Animal Spirits, Chez Francois, Avignon Wine Bar-Restaurant

Wine bar, restaurant Chez Francois in Avignon shows its animal spirits ans shares its story in pictures and words.

They fell in my basket of places worth mentioning.

I neglected them until today as image above resurfaced.

Green Tea IPA, a Japanese Beer Favorite or just a Dry Dock Favorite?

After receiving samples of Tamales and Chilli from Texas, I have beer (as a pairing) on my mind.

Funny coincidence or not, Robbie Swinnerton of Tokyo Food File visited the Dry Dock located under the railway tracks just outside Shinbashi Station in Tokyo and shares his Green Tea IPA take 2 (August 11).

One of the beers he sipped is Baird/ Ishii/ Stone Japanese Green Tea IPA which doubles as a fundraising tool for Tsunami relief programs.

It is part of Stone Collaborations, a jamming session of sorts for brewers at Stone Brewing Co.

I would be curious to try their Cherry Chocolate Stout as well.

Is Green Tea IPA a Japanese Beer Favorite or just a Dry Dock favorite?

I wonder if you get seasick after getting one draught too many from draught wheel (above) at Dry Dock.

Are Marine Girls part of the soundtrack?

On a practical note, Beer in Japan in its 2009 review of Dry Dock notes that 'Sato-san who runs the bar is passionate about beer and speaks English'. Establishment is closed on Sundays and Holidays and the 3rd Saturday of each month. This might have changed since then.

Green Tea in my beer for Tokyo Thursdays # 203

Previously: Dipping my Toes into Sake thanks to Momokawa

(* Dry Dock website is in Japanese only...Photo of Stone Green Tea IPa from Stone Brewing Facebook page, Photo of Sato-san at draught wheel by Robbie Swinnerton)

Boudin Noir, Rillettes, Dorset Clams for Pescadarians, Brawn, London Wine Bar, Liqueur and Goutte Too

With pig trotters, boudin noir, rillette and similar fare on the menu Slow Food London supper at Brawn which just got under way on July 19 as I am writing this sounds like a warm up gig to Meatopia, the NY event on July 23.

Set in the wine bar mold, Brawn was launched recently by the people who run Terroirs near Charing Cross Station.

Opened 7 days a week (closed evenings on Sundays), Brawn is 'serving cloudy reds, murky whites and loads of pig' (their own words).

If you don't eat meat, check the Plancha options:

Lemon Sole, Samphire, Lemon & Brown Butter £15
Cornish Sardines, Spiced Aubergine & Harissa £6
Dorset Clams, Chilli, Coriander & Spring Onions £8.50

The wine list offers many choices by the glass, mostly from small growers who adopted organic and natural ways.

There are quite a few Loire Valley wines, some ciders and more offbeat Liqueurs and Gouttes selection from Distillerie Artisanale, Maison Laurent Cazottes (below):

50ml

2003 Apéritif aux Noix Vertes (Green walnuts) 4.00

2007 Apéritif du Fleurs de Sureau (Elderflower) 4.40

2004 Liqueur de Coing Sauvage (Wild quince) 4.70

2006 Liqueur de Prunelle (Sloe) 6.95

2006 Liqueurs des Guignes et Guins (Cherries & wild cherries) 7.35

25ml

2006 Goutte de Poire Williams Passerillé (Williams pear) 6.00

2007 Goutte de Mauzac Rosé 6.00

2006 Goutte de Reine-­‐Claude Dorée (Golden plum) 6.00

Eat honest food, drink natural for Green Day # 186

Previously: Cheerful Eco City of Namyangju, Korea, Home of Organic Museum, Opens August 2011

(* Prices in British Pounds...illustration from Brawn site)

Just in Time for Bastille Day, French Restaurant Week, New York, July 10-17

There is no Bastille to take in New York.

No guillotines either.

One thing that will be cut to the bone during French Restaurant Week is the price of your meal at a selection of French restaurants in the Big Apple.

The week long event (July 10-17, 2011) aims to promote French cuisine in New York City by offering a price fixe menu and/or a Brunch/Special at $17.89.

From Artisanal to Robin des Bois via Financier Patisserie, here's your chance for a French meal a day for 7 days. Check Full Listing...

One of the restaurants actually borrowed my first name, Serge, much better than their former Cafe Creme.

French Restaurant Week, a revolution for your pocketbook.

Thanks to Jules Bistro on St Mark's Place for sharing the news with me. Will their Jazz tinged site convince me to pay them a visit.

Postcards from the Web, Chez Francois, Restaurant-Wine Bar in Avignon

We used to get postcards in the mail, now we get them from the web.

Whether they are sent by close or long lost friends or inconnus, some resonate more than others.

I had good moments in Avignon while spending time around Theatre du Chene Noir in the 70's.

I was drawn first to Chez Francois, a restaurant and wine bar in Avignon by the happy pig gracing its logo.

Reasonably priced food and wine that makes you want to dance the jig is right by me.

Time to pay a new visit to la Cite des Papes?

Girl Cuvee, Quick Bite, Mostly French Wine List, Le Siffleur de Ballons, Paris

Taking their name Le Siffleur de Ballons literally could mean drinking your wine in a hurry.

Many neighborhood places, some frequented with blue collar people used to served their wine in fillettes and ballons.

My grandfather frequented one such Bistro with a 'jeu de boules' in the back.

No 'jeu de boules' at Le Siffleur de Ballons in Paris.

This casual bistro-cave a vins has a mostly French list. All regions are represented.

A good place to catch up with friends with a plate of cheese and charcuterie and of course, wine.

The Girl Cuvee? It's Cuvée "Les filles" by Gilles Berlioz which I have not tasted.

i would not have known about the place if parisienne Eva Robineau had not given it her seal of approval.

Thanks for the tip, Eva.

Le Siffleur de Ballons is located 34 rue de Citeaux 75012 Paris

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday:

10:30 AM to 3 PM, 5:30 PM to 10 PM

Squid Ink Risotto, Roast Duck, Ceviche, Natural Wines, L'Hedoniste Bistro in Paris

Bistronome Fabrice Ivara gives a 'thumbs up' to L'hedoniste, a Parisian bistrot in 'Le Sentier' (2eme Arrondissement) on Coup de Fourchette (January 18, 2011).

What's not to like in a place that offfers squid ink risotto and roast duck amongst other things.

If you just want a quick bite and some wine, you can go for jamon iberico plus fine cheeses. They will be happy to accomodate you.

Francois Simon also gives kudos to L'Hedoniste in Paris. L'Hédoniste, j'ai franchement bien aimé (French only, January 28, Simon Says). He had lunch there, Ceviche followed by Scallops with Radishes and Turnips...

Short wine list puts the accent on Natural Wines. It has the good taste of including Loire Valley picks like Nuit d'Ivresse by Catherine et Pierre Breton, I also noticed a personal favorite Les Sorcieres by Herve Bizeuil.

Time for Lunch, too bad I 'm a bit fat from L'hedoniste.

(* L'hedoniste site and Coup de Fourchette are both in French mostly)

Hong Kong CV Winebar , All California Wines, Opens January 11, 2011

I let A bistro a Day fall by the wayside.

I did not have to go far to notice California Vintage CV Winebar which just opened on January 11, 2011 in Hong Kong.

They introduce CV Winebar as "Hong Kong's FIRST and ONLY all California wine bar featuring over 88 premium wines by the glass, delicious small plate California cuisine.With ongoing tasting flights..."

Prior to big day, they did a soft launch with a number of pop-up tastings around the Central district.

I will share other details on the place once I get them.

No Big Bad Wolf, Just a Wine Bar, Le Trou Au Loup, Near Besancon, France

I don't know if Grandma and the Big Bad Wolf are regulars at this Wine Bar.

All I can say is that Le Trou du Loup ('the wolf's hole') has an air of mystery to it.

One thing for sure you will find Stephane Delanoe the owner who turned a well known 'auberge' into a 'bar a vins' a wine bar which opened its doors in February 2010.

High above Besancon after the Tunnel of Morre, the Trou du Loup is also a permanent showcase for the paintings of Yves Hasselmann. Find one you like order it on the spot.

The art and wine blend is not surprising once you learn that Stephane Delanoe was a professional musician for 15 years.

As for the wine and the food, you will find Grands Crus, Local Wines, Organic Ones and a selection of wines by the glass refreshed weekly:

Red Wines:

Vin de table de France Gueule de Loup de Roquefort 14% 2,50 €

AOC Côtes du Jura Poulsard 2008 - Domaine Baud 12,5% 3,50 €

Vins de Pays de l’Ardèche Le Mazel Cuvée Briand Organic 13% 3,50 €

AOC Cotes de Bergerac Château Masburel 2000 Quality of St Emilion 13% 4,00 €

White Wines:

Vin de Pays Côtes du Luberon La Vieille Ferme (Perrin & Fils)  13% 2,50 €

Vin de Pays de l’Ardèche Le Mazel Cuvée Les Lèches Organic 14% 3,50 €

AOC Cotes du Jura Rosé Rosé floral Domaine Grand 13% 2,50 €

AOC Montravel Château Masburel 2001 Coup de coeur 13% 4,00 €

Sparkling:

Crémant du Jura brut Domaine Rolet 12% 4,00 €

Champagne brut tradition Brigandat et fils 12% 8,00 €

Champagne ½ bouteille brut  Billecart Salmon 37,5 cl (= about 4 flutes) 12% 19,90 €

(voted best of world by Decanter)

You must have noted the accent on Jura for the local flavor.

Hungry as well as thirsty, order a cheese plate or a selection of saucisson, ham and other cuts or smoked trout.

It will taste better if you sit outside this summer.

Heart Beating, Tapas Bar and Art Space, Atelier des Arts in Brussels, Opened June 19

Should art spaces be staid affairs?

As museums bring music and restaurants inside their walls, why wouldn't art in all its forms find its place in wine bars ans small plate eateries.

Under the Heart in Motion banner, a group of people opened L' Atelier des Arts on June 19, 2010 in Brussels.

Whether you like art on the wall or in the air (say music) it will be there.

There is also a full bar and food is served.

I am still waiting to hear from them as to what the menu and the wine selection looks like.

They want both their heart and their art to beat stronger.

L' Atelier des Arts is located 9, Rue Haute in Brussels and there is outdoor sitting.

(illustrations for this piece via L'Atelier Facebook Page)