Chef David's Culinary Tour: Day Three

 

 Today was another beautiful day in the lovely French Riviera. Lauren (my wife), and I spent the morning exploring Old Vence were there was some local producers selling food, clothes and souvenirs on table tops. 

We tasted olives, cheeses, and jellies, but the best was this honey from a local producer. He had all sorts of honeys that came from bees that pollinated different types of flowers. The best type, by far, was the Lavender Honey, but a close second was the "Miel de Tilleul,"  or Linden Tree Honey.  They also had honey from Pine Trees, Chestnut Trees, and Acacia. Each honey was very unique in taste. I suggest you get some of your own.  He has a website: http://www.miels-chailan.com/.

Afterwards we went to the Confiserie de Florian, http://www.confiserieflorian.com/ in a town called Gordon de Loup. 

 

There, we toured their production area to see how they make such unique products. The candy shop was originally a Perfume Factory, and its roots are still evident as their specialties include rose, violet and jasmine jellies, as well as whole fruit that has been candied. Their candied clementines were fantastic, and are cooked in a candy syrup for 45 days!

With some daylight left, Lauren and I scurried back to Grasse and toured the International Museum of Perfumes. There we learned about the history of perfume and how cultures have used scents for many wild things, like conjuring the dead, curing a head ache, and even mummification. Afterward, you can't help but buy some scented soaps or perfumes -- not the kind that conjures the dead, of course.

Dinner was at Les Relais des Coches.  Our service was excellent and the food was top notch. Lauren had Coquilles St Jacques, 

 and I had a roasted rack of lamb. 

 We shared dessert; a molten chocolate cake, with Creme Anglaise, but it was eaten before I could get a picture. :)

Good Night!

David