Blogging about my Egypt trip has been wonderful. Love remembering all the little details that made that trip so incredible. But at the same time, I'm exhausted. I feel like I'm writing a book. lol! But it's my own doing. Only through my writing and photographs can I keep my memories alive. So the Egypt posts will continue. But in the mean time, I'd like to take a break and talk about the trip I took today to Le Creuset.
I've been itching to visit the Le Creuset factory ever since I went three years ago. That was a memorable tour - shopping AND a fire show. lol! Unfortunately, they no longer do tours (wonder why) but their inventory is much better. I was really happy to see they had a good variety of cocottes so with a Williams-Sonoma price list in hand I started to do some comparison shopping and I found some great deals.
I fell in love with these black onyx cocottes. For the amount of cooking I do these are a perfect size. I'm really loving the matte black finish too - serious, professional cookware. It yells out to me... "I'm not concerned about looking pretty. I'm here to cook." Reminds me of Staub cookware... which I've been coveting for a while now.
As much as I love the black onyx I couldn't resist the beautiful cherry red cocotte. I have a huge Calphalon stock pot but because of its size I rarely use it. When I make soups, I use an inexpensive pot that was the perfect size but the uneven bottom was horrible. So when C asked me if I had a cauldron he could use to make his special potions it was the kick I needed to get rid of it. So this cocotte will be a great replacement. Although just as I was photographing it, I noticed it has a small imperfection in the handle. ;( I wish I was the type of person who didn't care about these little things but it bothers me. So now I'm torn... do I make the long drive to exchange it in hopes they have another one or do I keep the original one?
This little tarte tatin pan was a last minute purchase. I've never made a tarte tan in my life! lol! I loved the size of the pan and those handles are so functional. Perfect for the oven to the table top. Can't you just picture it with a golden, delicious frittata inside? Or who knows maybe I'll learn how to make a french tarte tatin. The color in the photo doesn't do it justice. At the top its a light cocoa color and gradually becomes a chocolate brown. Very pretty.
On the way back, we stopped a charming little restaurant called La Brasserie de l'Abbaye du Cateau.
On the outside it doesn't look like anything special but inside it was so cozy with brick walls and hops hanging from the ceiling.
Very cool atmosphere.
And look... toilet paper in my favorite color, Pink. ;)
The food at l'Abbaye du Cateau was fabulous too. Greek Grrrl & I had these delicious sodas... I had the violette while Greek Grrrl ordered the apple rhubarb soda. Blonde K and Madrid Grrrl ordered the Vivat beer.
I ordered the Flamekuechen (similar to pizza except with a matzoh thin crust) with lardons, crème fraîche, oignons, and fromage râpe. It was delicious.
Before leaving the restaurant, I bought two bottles of the Abbaye's beer along with some violette & orange-granadine soda. I'm sure C is going to love them both.
That Flamekuechen looks delicious. I would love to try it and I'm sure T would enjoy that beer. I love the picture of all the bottles on the shelf.
Posted by: G | 28 February 2011 at 18:23
Came here from your other Le Creuset Outlet post. Was looking for address and shop hours. Going in a few weeks. The one reason for the road trip :P The WS price list is a great idea. I was at the home of Mauviel but accident and wish I had a price list to compare. But, I got great deals on my purchase and the next time we go to Normandy again I am buying more ;P
Posted by: Savitri Wilder | 14 May 2011 at 22:29