Découverte

The lunch we enjoyed Thursday in Bracieux at the Rendez-vous des Gourmets — read part 1 here — began with a small hors d'oeuvre called an amuse-gueule that wasn't listed on the menu. It concluded with little mignardises — sweet treats — that were unlisted as well, but were brought out with the coffee we ordered.

Les amuse-gueule : purée de courgettes, rondelle de concombre,
rillettes de thon, et quartier de tomate ;
chou farci avec des rillettes d'oie
•

The "mouth-teasers": zucchini puree, slice of cucumber, tuna salad,
and tomato wedge; cream puff filled with potted goose meat

Velouté glacé d'Asperges vertes « Chambord » et Mousse de Sole

•

Chilled "Chambord" cream of green asparagus soup served
with a dumpling of Dover sole mousse

Homard et Saint-Pierre cuisiné « Meunière », Coulis de Crustacés
•

Lobster and John Dory fish cooked in the style of
the miller's wife and served with a shellfish coulis

Intermède glacé
•
"Icy interlude"
(a scoop of pear sorbet bathed
in sweet white Coteaux du Layon wine)

Filet de Bœuf et Foie Gras chaud, jus réduit
•
Filet mignon of beef with warm foie gras, reduced pan drippings,
and girolle (chanterelle) mushrooms

Bouquet de Salade et Assortiment de Fromages frais et affinés
•
Bouquet of lettuces and assortment of fresh and aged cheeses

Douceurs des Gourmets, Assortiment de Petits Desserts
•
The Gourmet's sweets, an assortment of small desserts

Friandises (pâtes de fruits, financiers)
•
After-dessert treats (candied fruit gumdrops, almond cakes)
served with coffee

Photo credits: about half these photos are mine and the others are CHM's (with thanks).

We are off to Blois this morning. CHM will catch his train there and ride back to Paris. It's been a short but action-packed adventure!