Chocolate and Oysters

So Chocolate and Oysters...No, we didn't eat them at the same time. But today was the annual Salon du Chocolat at the Porte de Versailles convention center. I joined a group of girls for a fun afternoon of free samples and chocolate shopping while Peter and the guys watched France lose the rugby finals to New Zealand at a local bar (8-7!).

The festival was just as much fun as last year. There was a lot to see, and to eat, and we all had a great time.

Yes, that's a Chocolate Mousse Bar.

A chocolate Snoopy!

A Classic...did you expect anything less?

Gooey and delicious...chocolate-orange cookies

 There are a few things we've learned about foodie events in Paris. No matter what the theme of the event, you can count on wine being available, as well as fois gras (duck or goose liver...very popular).

New macaron flavor- Fois Gras and Chocolate

These Bûches looked very tempting!

Interesting, yes...appetizing, no.

There was even a section for sweets from other countries. These Moroccan treats were enticing but by the time we found them, we were so overloaded on chocolate, we had no room for more sticky desserts.

We had a great time, and definitely recommend this event to any chocolate lovers in Paris!

After getting our sugar fill for the day, I headed up to meet Peter in the 12th arrondissement to a cool wine bar called Le Baron Rouge. It was time to say goodbye to a good friend of ours, Alex, who is leaving for Israel tomorrow on an exchange program. It was sad to say goodbye, but the blue sky, warm sun, and briny oysters served out on the sidewalk made it a little better :-)

A cold glass of white Cotes du Rhone went beautifully with the oysters!

Peter snapped this photo of Alex and I enjoying our last "meal" together.

Bellota-Bellota

On Wednesday, Peter and I went to the Grand Palais to see a new exhibit showing the collection of art owned by the Stein family. Yes, that's as in "Gertrude Stein" and her family of art collectors who lived in Paris in the early 1900's and who befriended artists like Picasso and Matisse. It was a fantastic collection.

Picasso's Painting of Gertrude Stein

We walked there and back, in order to get some exercise. But on the way home, we were definitely ready for an afternoon snack. We passed by Bellota-Bellota on Rue Jean Nicot, and stopped in for a quick bite to eat. There is really nothing on the menu but ham, which is what makes this place so great. Its focus is on quality, and the quality of the ham we ordered was top-notch: some of the best ham we've ever eaten!

A Beautiful Berkshires Wedding

Congratulations, Rebecca and Jeff!

October 15, 2011

How to Throw an Octoberfest Party...Robbins Style

On October 6th, I headed back to the USA to have some quality time with the Robbins family during our biennial Octoberfest at Piseco Lake. Since we had just been to Oktoberfest proper, in Munich, I brought some props.  It was a pleasure to have family all together from Austin and LA, Long Island, Connecticut, and upstate NY!

Here's how to throw an awesome Adirondack Octoberfest: Robbins Style!

Start with a night of homemade pizzas. Always use some Adirondack-inspired ingredients!

Add a nice, light dessert like German Chocolate Cake.

Breakfast should always be healthy. You need to get your energy levels up for the big Octoberfest party! Nanny's Shoefly Pie should do the trick.

When you are ready to kick-off your Octoberfest party, add a little German beer-stein to your beer bottles to make the party more festive!

Then, start the party off right with a Riesling taste-test! This bottle (#4) won. 

Where do you think it was from?

a) Germany

b) France

c) United States

d) Austria
 

If you have access to a traditional felt German hat, you must wear it. Don't forget to stare at the tartiflette while it cooks over the coals.

 You may be shunned from the family if you don't fill your plate up like this...

Set the table with a pretty homemade centerpiece!

 It's always fun to dress your family members up in funny, German outfits to get in the spirit!

Always share your warmest clothes with others when they get cold!

 If the weather holds, eat outside (if you can find a table for 17!) and enjoy the view!

And always take some time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the party!

 The next day, you may feel full (and, let's face it, a little hungover). But that's no excuse to sit inside on a beautiful day! Go out for a light hike to see the fall foliage.

Even little Gaby was up for a hike!

And if you prefer biking, try that instead.

If you follow these steps, your next family Octoberfest is sure to be a good time!

 

And the winner was....

c) United States!

This bottle of riesling surprised us all. It's from a small vineyard in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York! The French wine came in second, followed by the Austrian and German wines.