In France, summer is a time for languid dinners with friends – enjoying tasty food, flowing wine and easy conversation. Even with the drop in the Euro, not everyone can afford the expense and time for a trip to France. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to enjoy summer à la Francaise. Au contraire, at Bistro Pastis, Vancouver’s own authentic French bistro, you can enjoy French regional summer dinners – a traditional three-course table d’hôte for only $35.
“There are certain dishes that are typical to each region of France – especially in summer when all the ingredients are at their peak. I want to take people on a culinary meander through some of my favourite regions,” says proprietor (and French Chevalier) John Blakeley. Each of the four regional menus will be offered for three weeks starting with Brittany and Normandy (June 22 – July 13).
Located on France’s northwest coast, this area’s specialties include shellfish, apples, apple cider, thick cream and of course crêpes. On this menu, look for Bistro Pastis’ famed Sole Normande (with shrimp, clams, mussels in white wine sauce) or Poulet au Cidre (sautéed chicken, roasted apple, cider and cream sauce). Enjoy decadent desserts such as Beignet de Pomme Normande (with Calvados ice cream) or Crêpes au Citron (filled with lemon mousse napped with blueberry compote).
On July 14, Bistro Pastis takes a break from the tour to host its annual Bastille Day celebration with its own special menu (more about that in another release).
The tour resumes on July 15th through August 5th when Bistro Pastis features the cuisine of the southwest – the Basque country (at the foot of the Pyrenees) and neighbouring Languedoc. Here, there is a Spanish influence in dishes such as Soupe à l’Ail (roasted garlic and potato soup), Paella or Poulet Basquaise (chicken breast cooked ‘en cocotte’ with tomatoes, peppers and proscuitto). Tuna is also typical of the region and it is beautifully presented in Le Thon aux Oignons en Papillote (Albacore tuna and onions baked in a parchment packet). Finish the meal with Crème Catalane, an orange and lemon crème brûlée that is the French version of the Spanish flan.
From the Languedoc it is only a short hop east to Provence in France’s south and facing the Mediterranean (August 6 – 26). Provençale cuisine epitomizes summer dining. With the Mediterranean at its doorstep and Italy just a stone’s throw away, this cuisine embraces the fruits of the sea as well as incorporating a wide-range of vegetables such as artichokes, zucchini, beans and mushrooms.
For starters, there is a choice of Sardine en Escabêche (sautéed sardine with spiced, red pepper coulis) or Soupe au Pistou (white navy beans, assorted vegetables and basil soup) or Tartare de Legumes de Manosque (artichokes, fennel bulb, zucchini, asparagus and tomato tartar with Dijon Balsamic Vinaigrette). Mains include: Filet de Rouget et Calamare à la Méditerranéenne (stuffed quid and red snapper, ratatouille and shell fish reduction), classic Daube de Boeuf and Blanc de Volaille à la Goudalière (chicken breast with pine nuts, porcini mushrooms and red wine jus). One of the desserts on offer is the traditional Provençale specialty Clafoutis aux Cerises served with refreshing Orange Zest Ice Cream.
The tour finishes in Gascony and the Auvergne (August 27 – September 19). The Massif Central, the rugged terrain of central France, informs the flavours of this region. Here are fast flowing streams fed by the Alps and sparse hills where sheep graze. The flavours are big, bold and rustic. Mains include Truite Comme en Sare (sautéed trout, leek and bacon ragoût and warm red wine vinaigrette), Roulade d’Agneau à la Gasconnaise (lamb sirloin stuffed with anchovy, garlic and thyme served with Gratin Dauphinois, lamb jus) and Ragoût de Confit de Canard (duck leg confit, green olive and eggplant ragoût with thyme and tomato jus). Les Fraises aux Vins Rouges (fresh strawberries marinated in peppercorns and red wine served with lemon and thyme sorbet) is just one of the wonderful ways to end the evening.
Known for its extensive wine cellar, Bistro Pastis will also offer special wine pairings to complement each menu.
From June 22 to September 19, join John Blakeley as he leads you on a culinary ramble through France in the summer. At only $35 per person, it’s a très bon marché and more economical than a plane ticket.
Reservations are always a good idea and can be made by calling 604-731-5020 or on-line at www.bistropastis.com Full menus for each region will also be available on-line.
