Today we have more food as I simply couldn’t resist trying this little fig tart. I can report that it was indeed delicious, and also that even with its small size, I was good and split it with Philippe. This would be more impressive if we hadn’t also purchased a strawberry tart which we split later in the day. I’m just hoping that all the extra walking I’m doing is enough to offset the decadence I’m indulging in when it comes to cuisine. This was made again with my new little Sennelier set, but after painting this, we visited an art store and I found individual half pans. So, I bought three new colors I’ll be trying tomorrow. As I was about to remove three existing colors, I realized there’s more than enough room to comfortably add 2 additional half pans, so now I have a little tin with 14 colors!
One of the “missing” colors was Quinacridone Gold which I would normally have used for the tart so it had that golden crispy color. That’s been solved, so I’ll definitely be doodlewashing another pastry while I’m here to give it the proper coloring. Mainly just because it’s a brilliant excuse to eat another pastry. I’m also not a fan of Lemon Yellow, so it may have to be replaced with something a little deeper and more interesting. But it’s been fun to try a brand new palette here. I think the best part about this trip is that I don’t feel the need to go back to all the tourist spots I’ve already visited. This time, I’m truly just living in Paris and mostly just enjoying the neighborhoods around me. I’ve only taken the Metro once, which is a good thing with all the food I’m eating as I need to walk as much as humanly possible.
Tonight, we met our friend Sandrine again and went to a restaurant called Les Tontons that was inspired by a French movie that Philippe says we should watch sometime. The specialty of the house is “tartare” which as most of you know means it’s basically raw meat and apparently has nothing at all to do with the movie. To an American, it simply looks like a burger that someone was about to put on a grill, but was too lazy to do so.
I opted for the slightly seared version so it looked like at least a little effort was made. It was delicious, but so was the traditional version as I had a bite from Sandrine’s plate (shown above). You could also have a bit of raw horse if you’re into that sort of thing, but thankfully nobody ordered that version. It’s fun to try new things, but given a choice of unique French delicacies, I think I would more often chose a little tarte over tartare.
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Ooooh I love the looks of that tarte, not only for your painting, but also because it looks so darn delicious. It sounds wonderful that you are “living” Paris since you have already visited the “must see” tourist destinations.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 Yeah, it feels really good to not be in a rush to see anything in particular. Fun to just relax and hang out here!
Looks and sounds incredible, you’ve certainly captured that decadence! And you have an incentive to walk more – win win, not that I expect you need extra incentive where you are! Bon appetit! (Would definitely skip the raw horse, though!)
Yeah… raw horse is not something I go to first. hehe… but what I had was excellent anyway. Definitely need to walk as much as humanly possible to combat all these calories though! 😊
Love how you painted that tart! Raw meat, not so much. Well, not at all 😄
Thanks, Teri! 😃💕 haha… yeah… raw meat is definitely not as preferred in the States. But what I had was yummy!
Love those figs in your tart – – – much better than the raw meat – but hey – you are in Paris – so do as you do – and keep on keepin on! And oh by the way – is there a more glorious color than quin gold (besides CBT)? Such a versatile amazing color. Glad you found room for it! 🙂
Thanks, Jodi! 😃💕 It’s been really fun here, but I’m also finding myself really exhausted. hehe And yeah… Quin Gold is a must have in my palette. There’s not a color called Cobalt Teal in Sennelier so I did add Turquoise Green which is a similar hue.
Love the figs! Very interesting about the tartare, I don’t think I could eat it, so kudos to you for trying 😀
hehe… thanks, Anya! 😃💕 yeah, raw meat is something worth trying, but not something I could see myself eating a lot!
I think I had carpaccio once, long time ago, but can’t remember if I liked it or not at all
Yeah… carpaccio is what we get in the States. I guess because it doesn’t look quite like a lump of raw meat. hehe
Your painting made me drool – that’s how great it is. In fact, you’ve got me craving fresh figs. It sounds like you’re having a marvelous time.
Awww… thanks! 😃💕 I’m so glad you liked this one! It was indeed yummy!! Love figs!
I’ve never eaten real figs and I prefer my meat cooked but LOVE to hear about your French experiences, Charlie!! Cheers friend! 🍷💕
hehe… thanks, Jill! 😃💕 Yeah… I do think I’ll stick with the cooked kind, but it was really fun to try! lol
Tarte is always a good choice, even I prefer chocolate ! Beautiful one, so realistic ! I don’t like tartare, except if I can mix ingredients ans put the meat in a hot pan. Tasty ! I don’t like horse meat too and that remembers me when I was young, (I’m 62), in my town, there was a butcher’s shop specialized in horse meat. I remember the smell so raw, so special. Beurk ! Do you need really some reasons to eat pastry? Ah AH !! Walk, walk and enjoy cakes and tartes…
Thanks so much, Laurence! 😃 Hehe… yeah… I bet the raw horse smell was something special. lol I think I’ll be sticking to tartes the remainder of the trip.
Figs are my fav fruit, I only got about 10 off my small tree, but I was happy with a small fresh crop….looks like at least two or three figs on this little yummy tart? Being a non meat eater the idea of raw flesh is just hideous to me, but it may surprise you that I am not opposed to others eating raw stuff, nor horse meat, I may love horses, but I also love cows, sheep and pigs, and really one meat is much like any other…..as long as they are transported and slaughtered kindly……keep walking so we can see more cake he he😂😂😂😂
hehe… thanks, Rebecca! 😃💕 Yeah… I agree… I don’t usually eat meat because I’m not sure how the animal was treated unless I get it directly from my butcher. That said… I definitely prefer cakes to meat any day so I’ll be saving my calories for those! lol
Well I would never have guessed CAKES!
I checked their website and was floored to see that they have 16 options for raw tartare. We get only 1, maybe 2 in Italy. I am so jealous!
Yeah… I know, right?? It was incredible how many different things they had on the menu. If you love tartare, then I’d definitely recommend them if you’re ever in Paris! 😃
I’m going to need a few more fig and strawberry tartes to overcome the image of that meat, Charlie! Although it doesn’t at all appeal to me, I’ve gotta give you bravery points for trying it.
haha… kind of a mixed post wasn’t it? Lol Glad you liked the tarte, though, Heather! 😃💕 hehe
That’s makes me hungry
hehe… thanks!! 😃
Scrumptious! Miam miam, french for yum…
hehe… thanks, Janina! 😃💕 It was soooooo good!!!