summer favorites

Fresh apricots

Fruity teas (photographed here: Harrod's Mango and Strawberry teas)

Greek yogurt with honey

food for thought (literally).

A funny thing happened last week. A lady from my bank called to confirm some information on my account, and we started talking about how I just returned from Europe. Since then (only one week…), I’ve had two ladies from the bank (whom I’ve never met in person) call and tell me that they are going to Europe for vacation this summer and were wanting to know what kind of clothing to pack, and if I had any recommendations of places to see and to eat in France.

Having spent the past four summers and fall/winter 2009 in Europe, I have had the highly satisfying pleasure of eating delicious food at great restaurants and, often, in even greater company. Those phone calls from the bank inspired me to share with y’all the incredible gastronomic experiences I’ve had. Here is a list of my favorite eateries across Europe…I hope that all of you might be able to enjoy some of the places I’ve enjoyed!

(I can’t take all the credit for discovering these places…you can thank Rick Steves and several of my friends for many on this list!)

Czech Republic:

Prague:

Radost FX- during the day, it’s a restaurant; late at night, it’s a club. The interior is so cool looking that Rihanna actually filmed a music video there. I’ve been to Prague twice and I’ve made a point to go to this restaurant both times. It’s vegetarian, but you leave feeling so full. They don’t skimp out on their portions.

France

Angers:

Le Grandgousier- a restaurant that specializes in 16^th century French food. They have an incredible selection of meats (including lamb and duck) and the best mousse au chocolat I’ve ever had (yes, it even competes with my dad’s homemade mousse).

Fos:

Le Pili Pili- a laid-back beach restaurant and bar. Serves fresh seafood (all of my friends love the moules frites…mussels with French fries), hamburgers, steaks, salads, and omelettes. Oh and they have an extensive ice cream menu!

Paris:

Baan Kanya- authentic Thai near Opera Garnier. Heath and I ate here on New Year’s Eve 2009. It was amazing.

Chartier- I won’t lie…it’s a very touristy restaurant right off of Grands Boulevards, but the menu is very traditional (and yummy) French food (escargot, steak hache, croque monsieur…). The interior is beautiful too…a renovated building from the 1920s.

Outside the entrance of Chartier in Paris

Germany

Munich:

Prinz Myshkin- Classy, delicious, unique…I can’t think of enough ways to describe this vegan restaurant. Who knew vegan could be so good?

Italy

Florence:

Coquinarius- the best restaurant I’ve ever been to, hands down. I went twice and had eggplant gnocchi the first night and pear ravioli the second. Both were delicious, but the pear ravioli is heavenly. Ann and I had to close our eyes while we ate because the flavors are so delicate and SO delicious. We also had the most amazing cheesecake for dessert. In Ann’s words: “it’s like eating a cloud.” Ahh, I’m craving this restaurant just talking about it.

Netherlands

Amsterdam:

Bagels and Beans- this is a chain bagel-sandwich shop and café, but the food is of SUCH good quality and the menu is very diverse. Ann and I really enjoyed eating here.

Scotland

Edinburgh:

The Elephant House- First of all, this place is amazing because of all the elephant décor. But, I think more importantly, this café/restaurant/bar is amazing because it is where J.K Rowling began writing the Harry Potter series. It is the birthplace of a world phenomenon.

I could go on with this list, but I’m really trying to highlight the places that have really stood out. If you are traveling through Europe, I am more than happy to give you more of my favorite places if you ask!

mississippi heat

95˚ fahrenheit and a heat index of over 105˚, the Off Square Books cat knows how to deal:

let's play catch up...

Zadar, Croatia
Zadar, Croatia
Berlin, Germany
Free Palestine rally, Munich, Germany
Basque Country
Dresden, Germany
Dresden, Germany
Prague, Czech Republic

e is indeed for elephants

I really enjoyed writing my blog, "An Autumn in France and Other European Adventures" (frenchautumn.blogspot.com), that many of you followed last fall. I had hoped to keep it up upon returning to the States, but alas, I seem to have forgotten my cyber luggage when packing my suitcases in January. But, here I am, with a new blog, e is for elephants. Why this title? Well, my name is Emilie and, as anyone who has ever gone through elementary school anagram exercises knows, e is for elephant. So, there. I'm not sure what I will be writing in this blog or if anyone will be reading it. Nonetheless, I hope to use it as a sort of outlet for myself. For everyone else: make of it what you will.

il fait froid!!

WOW...it's December already! The past month flew by so quickly! It's very exciting though. The past two days I have taken 5 exams...I have two more tomorrow and then I am FINISHED with school in Angers. Then, early early Friday morning I am taking the train to Amsterdam with Ann...wahoo!! It's very neat to have started and finished the semester with the same friend on different trips.

A little bit of catching up to do....two weekends ago I met Ann Kirk in Paris. She was taking the LSAT so I went to keep her company and celebrate afterwards. It was SUCH a wonderful time. Even though our time together was short (she wasn't finished taking the test until 8:30pm!), we had so much fun and had such wonderful, invigorating conversation. I felt completely refreshed after that weekend. The only negative aspect of my weekend in Paris is that all the museums were on strike! While Ann Kirk took the LSAT, I had planned on visiting Musee Cluny and Musee l'Orangerie. Instead, I just walked around the city. It took a lot of energy though because I had to carry my luggage around all day because the concierge at the hotel wouldn't let me check in.

My favorite part of the weekend was Sunday morning. Ann Kirk and I went to the morning service at the American Church of Paris. It was one of the best things I've done all semester! It was so comforting to have Christian fellowship. I even met a lady from Mississippi who went to Ole Miss and now TEACHES at les Sciences-Po...WOW!!

Last weekend I took the train to Marseille. Then on Sunday I drove my little car all the way back to Angers...an 8 and 1/2 hour drive! It was long and through snow but I had ample time for reflecting on my semester that is coming to an end and also for admiring the scenic drive...France really is a beautiful country. I also spent quality time with Philip Glass...listened to him almost the entire drive and it made me very, very happy.

Next Monday I will drive back to Marseille and spend Christmas there. The countdowns:

2 more days of school, 6 days until I go back to Marseille, 10 days until Christmas (!), 14 days until Heath arrives, 30 days until I see my wonderful family that I miss so so so much!