Last night after a quick change from our day clothes we went out into the city of Avignon to hunt up some grub!! Little did we know what was in store for us. After walking a mile or so past dozens of cafes and restaurants, we found Hiell Lucullus. The most unassuming cafe front but what a shocker when we got inside!! Here’s all that was outside on the sidewalk…the menu for the day
We decided we were so hungry this seemed to be the best place to stop!!
We were lead up a spiral staircase and not a single light was on in the place. As we entered the dining room the lights all came up to a warm candlelight glow and we were seated in the window overlooking the strolling street. People eat very late in Europe. It was 8:30 and we were the first arrivals!!
After we chose our meals (only a selection of 5 items) a trio of melon appetizers called Amuse Bouche (a taste) were given to us as a chefs special treat
They consisted of a prochuttio and melon ball kebab , melon nectar served in a test tube “shot” and melon sorbet wrapped in a banana leaf used as a cone. Eaten in that order as instructed by the server. Each one a total tease of culinary delights to come
Another view. We are so into our food photos. I refuse to use flash in a nice place and Steve gets so annoyed because he wants better photos. These weren’t bad because the light from the street was coming into the window
Steves appetizer was a very unusual fois gras parfait with each layer down becoming denser and denser. The toast has a slice of regular fois gras on it.
Oh yummy~~~ I adore escargot and these little teeny weenie snails were already removed from the shell and cooked in lots of garlic….served over a goat cheese of some sort which was melted in the bottom of the cassoulette. Fresh baby greens were then laid over the top which slightly wilted from the heat of the escargot. It was perfection!! Served with a dense french bread too
Here was our wine and sparking water. We only got a half bottle of wine since we had been wining all day!!
Now comes the main course. Steve ordered a pigeon and there were some perfectly prepared greens served with it
I ordered a beef filet cooked medium rare with a jus reduction…on the side was what looked like a marrow bone. The inside was a piece of delicious marrow but the outside was a potato croquette shaped like a bone slice. Very clever and delicious too
And finally dessert. Steve chose the fig creation. There was a poached fig and a fig parfait full of different textures like pannacotta, gel, and a very creamy version…all incorporating fig. It was incredible
And the best part of my whole meal….and thats saying a lot because it was ALL great was my dessert of a strong soft goat cheese which had been grilled to add a crust, then this frizzly outer coating…all drizzled in lavender honey!!! OMG…with the light baby greens on the side it was the most decadent thing I had ever eaten
So after a great night’s sleep and another perfect breakfast at our B and B…we are sad to say good bye to our hosts but need to keep moving forward. I will update tonite and dont’ forget to take a listen to the new audioboo. Gotta run for now
Some high French Fashion for my daughter Liz..Steve wanted to get you this..hee hee hee
