French market & Restaurant Poirier
Southwestern France has an ambience like no other! It is the perfect setting to intern or volunteer/study French and explore the country. Monday, brought us to the local market in Chalais, held once a week, where shopping opportunities abound from local wine and fresh produce to jewellery, clothing, sovenirs and more.
After experiencing the French market, we were treated to a lunch of fine, French cuisine at Le Poirier. Le Porier specializes in tantalizing the taste buds of their customers with a six course meal, but only for lunch and reservations ensure that you have a table. Also, be sure to avoid snacking at the market, prior to such a feast! What a grand day out: the French market & Restaurant Poirier!
The volunteers and interns were excited to embark upon tasting the culinary delights that awaited. The traditional French meal began with everyone’s favourite, of course, baguette and red wine! We were soon served a delicious chicken soup. A little known tradition to travellers in France, is that towards the end your soup, you add just a small bit of red wine to mix with the last of the soup (called faire Chabrot). Sounds odd, but tastes great! We were then served with two different types of salad: green bean and beet (very delicious)! The next course consisted of a salmon dish; quite scrumptious!
Room for more you ask? That was not all, with still more to come. We were served an entree of sausage and mashed potatoes, along with a vegetarian selection of fish and potatoes. We practiced our French admist the fine dining experience, which allowed for a break between courses.
We dined on a variety of cheeses and finished with a salad for a good palate. There was a refreshing dessert of raspberry cream to follow!
That was almost the end of our scrumptious lunch. But, alas in France, they finish the meal with coffee. We extolled the dining delights we had experienced as we sipped our coffee. What a marvelous dining experience, so rich in French tradition and culture! The French market & Restaurant Poirier were definitely a highlight for us today!