Exploring

A good night’s sleep. I woke before the alarm and slipped-out quietly to La Niçoise, Boulangerie-Patisserie, just a few blocks away. Croissants—almond, chocolate, plain—and a baguette that even David Leibovitz would approve (very browned).

A quiet morning replicating our Colorado approach to daily life. Just before noon we go out and explore a few boutiques and Galeries Lafayette before beginning our search for lunch. La Messena is nearby and I remembered a delicious warm goat cheese salad from last time we were in Nice—quite possibly 2016. 

We find  reasonable facsimile of the salad I’m craving at Le Brasserie Magenta. CA decided on the Lemon Risotto with shrimp and is quite satisfied with it—risotto is a favorite, and he mentions that the lemon zest garnish is a welcome addition. 

We decide on gelato, but want to wander a bit before indulging. All journeys in Nice lead eventually to Promenade des Anglais, and the sparkling Mediterranean. It’s a hot and humid 77°, but there’s a welcome breeze keeping us content. 

We tend to analyze our food selections—in a good way—and compare and rate the preparation and presentation. And so, today’s Gelato from @amorino.nice doesn’t outshine Tuesday night’s pistachio-chocolate from @oui_gelateria. The chocolate may be darker and more flavorful, but the pistachio is rather flat. The texture isn’t as smooth, and unfortunately the cone is a bit stale. 

I’ve an odd cramping pain in my upper left thigh, so we return to our flat to read and recover. First, finding a close-by market for Compté cheese, @bonnemaman_fr Rhubarb jam, butter from Britany and tiny French radishes. The perfect lite dinner menu. 

I’ve just finished my third Patricia Cornwell procedural in the past month. I was put-off by a string of novels in the past, but happily she’s returned to her “Kay Scarpetta” roots. I’m now reading a Rhys Bowen mystery, “Naughty in Nice.” And why not?

CA is reading the first in a series of 5 police procedurals set in Nice. Author is #petermorfoot