Owl's Trail, Part 2

From the Maison des Cariatides, we returned to the Owl's Trail.

#12 Place du Theatre

#14 Courtyard of the Musee des Beaux Arts

The Musee des Beaux Arts houses France's 5th most important art collection. There is no admission fee. Unfortunately, while we were there, only the Middle Ages collection was open. This was the most impressive room that was available to visit--tomb of John the Fearless and Margaret of Bavaria.

Details of the tomb.

#17 Place de la Liberation, designed in 1685. This is considered one of the most beautiful royal squares in France.

#18 Palais de Justice (the Law Court)

#19 Musee de la Vie Bourguignonne (Museum of Burgundian life)

2015 09 23

Thursday Night Dinner

Here's this week's dinner at Flavor Bistro. We celebrated a colleague's retirement.

Gamberoni Con Fagioli--Grilled Marinated Jumbo Prawns in Brodetto Di Vino Bianco Flavored with Organic Toy Box Tomatoes, Sweet Basil, Garlic & Cannellini Beans, paired with 2013 Calera Wine Company Chardonnay, Central Coast

Risotto Al Savor--Carnaroli Rice Cooked with Prosciutto Di Parma, Organic Endive, Ricotta & Parmigiano-Reggiano Topped with Walnut Gremolata, paired with 2014 Tenuta Sant'Antonio Scaia Corvina I.G.T., Veneto, Italy

Bistecca Ai Ferri--Grilled Marinated Flat Iron Steak Garnished with Roasted Organic Fingerling Potatoes, Olive Pesto, Sweet Corn, Arugula & Roasted Garlic Served in Barolo Wine Sauce, paired with 2012 Preston Farm & Winery Petite Sirah, Estate Bottled (Organic), Dry Creek Valley

Crostata Di Mora Di Rovo--The Season's Very Last Local Wild Blackberry Galette Garnished with Vanilla Mascarpone Custard, paired with 2010 Novy Family Wines 'Oley' Late Harvest Viognier, Russian River Valley

2015 11 19

Owl's Trail, Rousseau Loop

After lunch, we followed one of the alternate Owl Loops--the Rousseau Loop.

Place de la Republique

Placette Garibaldi--this little square is a tribute to the man who helped Dijon defend itself in the 1870 war. 

Maison des Cariatides--built for the Pouffier family in the late 16th century.

2015 09 23

Stephane Derbord

We took a break from the Owl Trail to have lunch. I had made reservations at Stephane Derbord, a restaurant with 1 Michelin star. The 3-course lunch was €28.

Stephane Derbord is located at 10 Place Wilson. It's also a hotel.

The reception area.

Amuse Bouche of Crab with Spicy Veloute.

1st course of Smoked Fish with Vegetables and Cream with Caviar.

Chicken with Gingerbread Sauce, Tomato Sauce & Biodynamic Vegetables.

Dessert of Madeleine with Blackberry Mousse and Sage Glace. The sage ice cream was too weird for me.

Mignardise of Macarons with Fruit Almonds.

Stephane Derbord was too stuffy for me. It was a good lunch but none of the dishes were that memorable. I would have preferred a regular meal in a bistro.



2015 09 23

Dijon

Rejoining our French adventure... In Dijon, the walking trail is marked by an owl and is known as the Owl Trail. Purchase a brochure with trail details from the TI for €3.50. The tour may be done in as quickly as 1 hour but take your time and linger.

#1 on the trail is Jardin Darcy--Dijon's first public garden, created in 1880. It's guarded by the "white Bear," a tribute to Francoise Pompon, a famous animal sculptor.

#3 is Porte Guillaume. It was part of the town's ramparts until the 19th century when the ramparts were demolished and the Porte found itself freestanding.

#5 is the Covered Market. Market days are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

#6 is Place Francois Rude with a sculpture of a tree with a human face.

Edmond Fallot--the last remaining mustard manufacturer in Dijon. Step inside and taste the different mustard preparations. Fold the paper spoon in half and push on the plunger to get a serving of mustard.

#8 is Eglise de Notre  Dame. 

Notre Dame is topped by "Jacquemart," a Belgian clock that was taken by the duke and given to the people of Dijon in 1383. People made fun of his bachelor status so in 1651, Jacqueline was added. Then in 1714, their infertility was ridiculed and Jacquelinet was added. Jacquelinette was created in 1884 to complete the family.

#9 is the Owl. People rub it with their left hand and make a wish. It was damaged in 2001by a vandal with a hammer. Believe it or not, this is the restored owl. 

#10 Maison Milliere--house built in 1483 with wood-beamed walls filled with enameled brick. The cat was added in the 20th century. This house was used in the movie "Cyrano de Bergerac."

2015 09 23

Sonoma Cutrer, Chalk Hill & Roth

Sonoma Cutrer served Pork Chops with Habanero-PeachGlaze and Jicama Slaw. They had a croquet game--hit the ball throughout the wicket and buy a bottle of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir for a penny.

Chalk Hill served Savory Flan with Fresh Herbs, paired with Chardonnay. They were not pouring any other wines for the Wine & Food Event. If you wanted to try their other wines, it was a $20 tasting fee.

Roth Estate Winery served Sous Vide Pork Loin Sliders with Fennel Slaw and Pomegranate-Molasses Sauce.

2015 11 08

Pellegrini, Hook & Ladder, Harvest Moon & Lauterbach

Pellegrini Wine Company had Wild Mushroom Risotto. This risotto was much better than the risotto yesterday.

Hook & Ladder served Potato Leek Soup. They had a nice 2013 Russian River Valley Pinot for $21.60.

Harvest Moon Winery served Salt & Pepper Ribs.

Lauterbach Cellars served Mighty Pulled Duck Confit Sliders and Pulled Pork Sliders. The duck confit was crispy and the pulled pork had a nice cumin flavor.

2015 11 08