French Cuisine Part 3- Choopys and L'Armoise

         

So if you've read my last few posts you would have noticed I was quite let down with the food I came to find in France along the riviera. Maybe because of the hype, and the belief that the French do food best, and are leaders in gastronomy because of their passion for food. Well I didn't see it, and ate no particularly good 'traditional french' foods. The foods that I did have that were good, were more often than not the modern take on food. Personally I think it's because those trying to impress and leave their footprint for the locals yet also the tourists succeeded because of their obvious passions which shone through.

This little cafe pictured above is Choopy's found in the old town of Antibes. I stumbled across Choopy's one day after I had filled my tummy with a huge 3 course typical french food, which I did not enjoy one bit, then one look in this place and I got total food envy. I was so upset that I had subjected myself to a bad meal, when if I had've found this place first it would've been a different story.  So I went inside anyways, grabbed a business card, and was instantly greeted by the lady behind the counter, who was not only friendly, but very young and beautiful. I told her instantly that I would return. With an empty stomach.

Choopy's specialise in cupcakes. Baked and decorated fresh every day, they bring color and joy to the cafe being displayed under gorgeous glass cake stands (love). For this reason also, the flavors change every day. I happened to be there around easter time and they were baking a batch of easter egg cupcakes on Easter Sunday, but I wasn't able to make it. Devastated. 

They have a breakfast and brunch menu also, with your standard eggs, bacon, salmon and then they also specialise with bagels, offering many different fillings. Very clever I thought for a heavily populated expat town.

                                                                 

On a whole I was very won over by the decor and the friendly feel as soon as I walked in. Gorgeous homely modern touches that made it feel like home, and not some daggy french joint. They even had a 'keep calm and eat cupcakes' print. So I made it back there, when I was hungry, and ordered the salmon and cream cheese bagel, and of course a muffin- apple and cinnamon with vanilla frosting. Hot from the oven. Both were delicious, and I certainly noted the finer touches that show this couple care, including the red onions that had been marinated in vinegar and the cutlery placed in a glass jar- perfect!

I later got talking to them- the owners, but sadly did not get their names. I learnt that this young couple had travelled abroad together to find ideas for their niche market, and clearly they have succeeded. They are always quite busy, mainly chic groups of girlfriends huddled together enjoying their hot drinks and cupcakes. I am very happy to say I'd return again, and I urge anyone who visits Antibes to pop in for your morning tea, when you too may be getting disgruntled by the other food options and service near by.

But it doesn't stop there. I did have another amazing meal, and it was I guess expected should I say, being a Michelin Star restaurant and all. I spotted it one day, also in the old town of Antibes, just when I was strolling around with the aim to get lost so I'd have to find my way out and hopefully see new things. It worked! I found L'armoise. From the street it appeared very simple, small and not fussy, yet with the Michelin sticker on the front door. All I needed now was people to enjoy the experience with. A few hours later it was sorted, and the reservation made. I would enjoy my first Michelin experience with girls I met whilst dockwalking (also looking for work), one that had work and one that was in a relationship with a captain- so conversation was bound to flow.

The menu as you will see below was very basic, as in, there wasn't much to choose from. There were only two starters, two mains and two desserts. The chefs theory behind this is that he changes the menu frequently, inspired by what fresh produce he is able to get from the market each day (the market being a mere 100m walk from his front door). The food itself was far from basic. It was inventive, vibrant and delicious. He certainly let the produce speak for itself. Our only criticism for the night was the service, or lack there of. Sadly a fair bit of attitude also came with the lack of service from the sole female waitress. It was such a pity as we all tried not to be those rude demanding foreigners, and instead were friendly, inquisitive and excited to be there- at which point we gave up. The service was not going to change in our favor. 

First we got brought a starter which wasn't on the menu. We were told it was chicken on a bed of polenta. It looked very elegant and quite tasty. A nice start. The entrees that followed was an asparagus salad with quails eggs, and a spinach risotto. The risotto was so divine and the flavors were so concentrated I could've eaten four!

For main course there was lamb with red onions and fish (I forget which type) with a carrot puree. The lamb was gorgeous and pink, yet I found the fish lacking seasoning. The carrot puree a bit bland, but certainly it was the prettier of the two to look at.

After these followed cheese, and of course then dessert. Hands down I could've stopped at the cheese. It was so good. Three different types then drizzled with a little virgin olive oil. I was sold. Not being a sweet tooth I wasn't anticipating desserts, but of course I tried them. Certainly the weakest link in the menu. They weren't bad, but they certainly weren't great either. The pineapple dessert seemed far too messy and unstructured for a Michelin restaurant. None the less everything got eaten. 

I wasn't the only one snapping photos all night. It turns out the 'New York Times' photographer and writer were in our presence. They were doing a story for their French Riviera special. The photographer then took a pic of us, but alas it did not appear in their article, so I have included it in mine instead. You can read their write up here.

                     

All in all, an enjoyable girls night out, and my first experience at a Michelin Restaurant in Europe.