10-06-09 Join us for dinner in Avignon

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

Last night after a quick change from our day clothes we went out into the city of Avignon to hunt up some grub!!  Little did we know what was in store for us.  After walking a mile or so past dozens of cafes and restaurants, we found Hiell Lucullus.  The most unassuming cafe front but what a shocker when we got inside!!  Here’s all that was outside on the sidewalk…the menu for the day

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

We decided we were so hungry this seemed to be the best place to stop!!

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

We were lead up a spiral staircase and not a single light was on in the place.  As we entered the dining room the lights all came up  to a warm candlelight glow and we were seated in the window overlooking  the strolling street.  People eat very late in Europe.  It was 8:30 and we were the first arrivals!!

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

After we chose our meals (only a selection of 5 items) a trio of melon appetizers called Amuse Bouche (a taste) were given to us as a chefs special treat

They consisted of a prochuttio and melon ball kebab , melon  nectar served in a test tube “shot” and melon sorbet wrapped in a  banana leaf used as  a cone. Eaten in that order as instructed by the server.  Each one a total tease of culinary delights to come

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

Another view.  We are so into our food photos.  I refuse to use flash in a nice place and Steve gets so annoyed because he wants better photos.   These weren’t bad because the light from the street was coming into the window

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

Steves appetizer was a very unusual fois gras parfait with each layer down becoming denser and denser.  The toast has a slice of regular fois gras on it.

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

Oh yummy~~~  I adore escargot and these little teeny weenie snails were already removed from the shell and cooked in lots of garlic….served over a goat cheese of some sort which was melted in the bottom of the cassoulette.  Fresh baby greens were then laid over the top which slightly wilted from the heat of the escargot.  It was perfection!! Served with a dense french bread too

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

Here was our wine and sparking water.  We only got a half bottle of wine since we had been wining all day!!

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

Now comes the main course.  Steve ordered a pigeon and there were some perfectly prepared greens served with it

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

I ordered a beef filet cooked medium rare with a jus reduction…on the side was what looked like a marrow bone.  The inside was a piece of delicious marrow but the outside was a potato croquette shaped like a bone slice.  Very clever and delicious too

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

And finally dessert.  Steve chose the fig creation.  There was a poached fig and a fig parfait full of  different textures like pannacotta, gel, and a very creamy version…all incorporating fig.  It was incredible

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

And the best part of my whole meal….and thats saying a lot because it was ALL great was my dessert of a strong soft goat cheese which had been grilled to add a crust, then this frizzly outer coating…all drizzled in lavender honey!!!  OMG…with the light baby greens on the side it was the most decadent thing I had ever eaten

So after a great night’s sleep and another perfect breakfast at our B and B…we are sad to say good bye to our hosts but need to keep moving forward.  I will update tonite  and dont’ forget to take a listen to the new audioboo.  Gotta run for now

Our dinner last nite in Avignon

Some high French Fashion for my daughter Liz..Steve wanted to get you this..hee hee hee

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About Sandra Miller

My name is Sandra Miller and I love to ART. I enjoy my studio and home in beautiful Portland Oregon with my husband Steve and our charming Finnish Lapphund dog named Ihana