7.14.2011

Happy Bastille Day!

Happy Bastille Day, friends!  We're on Day One of our annual family vacation to Oregon and California*, and I'm already feeling myself relax as we get further and further away from the hustle and bustle of NYC (which, consequently, I am addicted to).  But let's talk about Bastille Day...

Last Sunday, I finally had the chance to take part in the Bastille Day celebration on 60th Street, hosted by FIAF (French Institute: Alliance Francaise).  Adam, our friends Jen and Phil, and I spent a decadent day eating duck confit on a baguette (with cornichons tucked in)....


...wine-tasting...


 ...checking out French books (they didn't have it, but I'm dying to buy a copy of Ramona la Peste)...


...and buying jewelry, which Phil insisted wasn't really French...


But my favorite thing?  I FINALLY ATE MACARONS!!!!


Um, do you think I'm excited much in this photo? And check out the selection:


Thanks to The Culinary Librarian, I made a beeline for the MacarOn Cafe tent.  I decided to buy a pack of six, and I was able to choose any that I wanted.  Here's what I got:


From the bottom up, I chose Pistachio, Nutella, Creme Brulee, Dark Chocolate, Violette, and Rose.  The Violette was first - it just completely intrigued me, but Jen was worried it would "taste like perfume."


We both agreed it didn't.  I loved the crunch on the outside and the soft cake-y interior, and the violet flavor was subtle and delicate; the textures and flavors really came together perfectly and it was so well-balanced.  And for a gal like me who has a tiny little sweet tooth, it wasn't too sugary-syrupy sweet for me.

Next up was the Rose.  It was truly like eating a rose petal, which I couldn't decide if I liked or not.  Ultimately, it was unusual, interesting, and very fragrant; I think I liked it.  Jen...well...Jen said it tasted and smelled "like old lady."  See why I love her?

The other macarons were lovely, but didn't really compare to the Rose and Violette.  I enjoyed the Pistachio, in particular, as it had the same well-balanced deliciousness as the Violette.  It was all just so lovely.

Eat, drink, and vive la France!


* Previous posts on our West Coast adventures include: The Wild Pear, Oregon 2009, and California 2009.

3 comments:

Erika said...

The colors of those macaroons are GORGEOUS! What interesting flavors!! Enjoy the trip & hope we get some sun for you to enjoy, its pretty overcast in the Pacific Northwest :( bah humbug, I always love it when you see Mt Hood when you fly in. ENJOY your time!

Mary aka The Culinary Librarian said...

Yay! So glad you had MacarOn cafe's macs!! Rose is one of my favorites! not old lady to me :)
Violette is delish. And I love love love pistachio! Vive la France!
Happy Bastille Day!

Beth S. said...

I've never had macaroons either and I am DYING to try one. They look so delicious! *drooling*