The answers were repeatedly “Yes” and “Yes”.

If you don’t live in New York or you live under a rock Eataly is Mario Battali and partners’ just opened 50,000 square foot shrine to all things Italian.  The space is a mix of restaurants and food counters surrounded by a gourmet food market.

The selection of Italian imports is amazing and I was grateful to get my first taste of parmesan cut fresh from a wheel.  But other than the mixed organization of market, restaurants and finding the entrance, the experience isn’t Italian.  It’s Ceasars Palace married to Whole Foods…just much better looking.

The fact that I’m not a fan of slow moving crowds or paying $25.00 for a bar of imported Torrone didn’t help.   And with an Abercrombie and Fitch like line out the door I’m pretty sure I won’t be back for a long time.

This place will do great with neighborhood residents and workers needing more lunch and dinner choices as well as visitors who will include it as a must see destination.

But if you can’t get to Italy you don’t need to go to Eataly to enjoy Lavazza coffee, fresh paninis, mozzarella, gelato, Napolitano pizza or Italian chocolate.   There are plenty of other great spots in the city to shop, eat and enjoy all things Italian.

Sorry no pictures of Eataly, but these are a few of my favorite Italian spots from my archives and a few recent shots from my iPhone.

Enjoy!

Leslie

I love Claudine’s French kitchen and the weekly deliveries of freshly prepared food from her mother-in-law Mamie Nicole (Grandma Nicole).

Mamie Nicole is a rock star!  She will be turning 80 this year and she still prepares home cooked meals daily with fresh ingredients from her garden.

Her carrots, peas, and baby potatoes are amazing. They are sweet yet savory and are probably prepared in best quality lard and butter Auvergne has to offer.  Julia Child would be proud.

I like to think Mamie Nicole likes me too because when Claud and I return from the girls weekend I verify with Richard the size of the weeks delivery.  Extra-large!

For le petit déjeuner et le goûter (breakfast and afternoon snacks) Mamie Nicole sends delicious buttery Madeleines from her local boulanger but Mamie Morissette (Grandma Morissette), who is also a rock star, has these meals covered with fresh baked cookies that Claudine stores by the truckload in her freezer.

I don’t know what’s in those cookies (possibly something from the local pharmacy) but there is no stopping at one.  And although I couldn’t tell you how many I eat, I will admit that the tin is usually empty the day Claudine brings me back to the airport.

I’ve been lobby for overnight delivery to NY for a while.  Mamie Nicole and Mamie Morissette would make a killing (who wouldn’t want Grandma Direct?!?!).   But even with overnight delivery of the Grandma’s’ goodies I can’t imagine a year that I don’t visit Clermont.

It’s not the place or the food it’s the people.  See you next year Claud!

Leslie

This post is less about photos and more about the serious part of the girls weekend when we talk about our goals and objectives.  This always happens at our last main meal together.

All three of us have some big goals to work on and even though we won’t see each other for another six months we are constantly sharing updates, advice and support, while cheering each other on (even during the crappy weeks) via email.

My goals include securing steady income from my consulting, being able to afford health care coverage and continuing to grow my photography skills for potential income.

This week the NYTimes.com’s second most emailed article is “But Will It Make You Happy?”.  In the past twelve months I’ve happily given up almost all the extras and instant gratifiers in my life to save everywhere and anywhere I can for travel. I prefer risks to regrets.

Photographer and blogger Karen Walrond posted in February “100+ Things I’d Like to Do Before I Go”.  Her list is wonderful and it made me stop and feel grateful for the goals I’ve already accomplished like  #6. Scuba dive in Bali – (I’ll never scuba diving but I’ve been to Bali), #9. Visit Tokyo – (two trips and hopefully more in the future) #19.  Visit the very top of the Eiffel Tower – (many times, just not recently) and the ones on my list still waiting to be checked.

Travel may not be on your list but what goals do you want to accomplish before you go?  The girls and I have gotten started on ours, have you started on yours?

Merci les filles!!!  See you in six months!!

Leslie

One of Mapie’s friends gave us a list of restaurant options for dinner. I don’t know how the girls selected it but they chose a small local seafood restaurant tucked into a hidden corner of Marseille.

It was a typical seaside restaurant, overlooking a scenic cove filled with leisure and fishing boats.

It was perfect and the food delicious.   The girls and I are very lucky when we are together.

I hope you’re lucky enough to find and visit the restaurant Au Bord de L’Eau too, but if not take a minute to enjoy a visit right here.

Enjoy!

Leslie

Whenever I take pictures of food, the number of images quickly multiplies.

And the amount of images to cull through can be overwhelming.

And it obviously was overwhelming because I completely overlooked sharing one of my favorite images from the market.

The cheese! I forgot the cheese!  My pictures don’t do it justice but I promise it was beautiful.

And although the aroma was slightly potent, the cheese itself was not only beautiful it was delicious… Have you ever seen moldy cheese look so beautiful?

See more market photos on Flickr!

Enjoy!

Leslie

Our pique-niques are fun, relaxing, and delicious.

And just as nice as the pique-nique is the search for the pique-nique…at bakeries, road-side stands, butcher shops and small epiceries (grocers).

But in France there is no better place to shop for fresh fruit, cheese, saucisson (sausage), and bread than at the weekly market

And the weekly Saturday market in Aix is the place to shop for local goods.

It’s one of the best markets in the south, servicing locals and tourists, with quality produce from the region.

Well to be honest the girls do the shopping, my job is to wander behind, enjoy the action and try to focus on taking pictures.

When we cross paths the conversation goes like this… “Les t’as vu les saucissons? Il faut que tu le prennes en photo!” (Les did you see the saussage?  You have to a picture of them!)… “Et le pain?  C’est superb!” (And the bread?  It’s incredible)…

The team is always watching out for me (merci les filles!)

And as every year, when the shopping is done we wrap up the morning with a coffee on the terrace of a cafe to talk, rest and take in the ambience.

I love this post, it makes me feel like I’m back in Aix with the girls.

If you have never been to Aix I hope these close-ups help inspire a visit. Visit my Flickr page to see more images from the market.

Enjoy!

Leslie

I’ve been wondering how I’m going to catch up if I keep taking pictures.  My goal last week was to slow down the shooting… which was the case until lunch.

I’m not a salad person, I prefer warm meals, but my oven died just before my trip and given the 90° (32°C) temperatures I haven’t been too concerned about it.

As you can imagine I’m on the NO visiting the bakery diet (even for pictures, it’s too dangerous) but these salads looked so nice I couldn’t stop myself…I had to shoot them.

What do you think?  Hungry for lunch yet?

Enjoy!

Leslie

The French are wondering and maybe worried why I’m visiting a city known for dark colored stone, volcanos and Michelin tires.

I visit Clermont every year… first and foremost to visit my friend Claudine, followed by my French boyfriend, Mammi Nicole’s cooking, Claudine’s kitchen, hiking in Le Puy de Dôme, and my newest discovery Claudine’s boulanger (baker).

“How did I miss the boulanger ?!?!”.  Claudine explained I always visit in July when the boulanger is on vacation.

But as it was June Claudine introduced us and explained why I’d never been to see him before.   He communicated through Claudine in French to tell me he loves me, confirm if I like les bons choses (to eat well) and gave us the details on how the boulangerie is managed and run since he retired and sold it.

As the line continued to grow behind us and the boulanger continued to talk, the clientele waited patiently. There was no grumbling, impatient humming or walking out…a small French price to pay to ensure you get some of the best bread and pastries in Clermont.

As you can imagine I’m also in love and I’m looking forward to my next visit to Clermont which definitely won’t be in July.

Enjoy!

Leslie

The exception to this rule is holiday weekends, when most New Yorkers are away and a seat at the bar is almost always guaranteed.

Enjoy!

Leslie

The commute to my office is now a few feet from where I sleep. The upside is I have amazing office views. The downside is my interaction with colleagues has been significantly reduced.

But a business associate and I have found an enjoyable way to correct this problem.

We have become “regulars” at our extended office Macchiato.  A sleek Italianesque Midtown expresso bar with Vespas parked out front and a large Italian clientele.

This is our spot for morning meetings, people watching, croissants, and cappuccino. And although we haven’t tested them the sandwiches and salads look pretty good too.

I’ll be back for “wide angle” photos but for now here is a “detailed” glimpse of our morning ritual.

Enjoy!

Leslie