Marseilles

I am in Marseilles from Wednesday for Astorg's annual investor meeting, which kicks off at Gerald Passedat's restaurant, Le Petite Nice, a three-star Michelin restaurant that even has the French going "oo la la." Passedat known for his fish work and so (of course) the fellow next to me does not .. eat fish. The rest of us marvel at his creations and accompanying wines which somehow improve the flavors. We have the restaurant to ourselves - about 30 of us - and drink champagne beforehand as the sun sets on the Mediterranean which spreads before us. Not bad for a Jewish kid from Berkeley.

I have not been to Marseilles since '83 when Geneve Natation participated in a competition at the then-new 50-meter Olympic pool built into the city cliffs. And there she is, looking a bit older maybe but connecting me to footsteps I walked 28 years ago.

Wednesday's menu:

Avant-goût (Foretaste)

Asperges de Pertuis au Naturel (Natural Pertuis Asparagus)

Truffe en Mini Brouillade (Mini scrambled of Truffle)

Cabris et petis pois (Goat meat, peas and vegetables)

Nouille fraîche aux Morilles (Fresh Noodles with morels)

Foie de Canard a l'inis étoilé (Foie gras with Star Anise)

Les fromage affinés (chees)

L'avant-douceur (pre-dessert)

Chrysalide de caramel au chocolat (Caramel chrysalis with chocolate)

Mignardises (Homemade delicacies)

Wines

Champagne De Souze Cuvée 3A

Cotes de Provence blanc Domain Mas de Cadenete Cuveé Mas Negrel de Cadenet 2097

Chablis premier cru Montmains 2007; Domain Jean-Paul et Benoit Droin

Cornas Les Ruchets 1999; Domaine Jean-Luc Colombo

Vin doux Naturel Rivesaltes Ambre 2006; Domaine Rossignol

(photo from the web, uncredited)