Today's post will show you a French Deli/Restaurant/Wine Cellar in Newmarket that I came across on a walk several months ago. Jeanne and I took Dianne to it while she was visiting but Allie and the boys had never been there. I thought that since the boys were on school holiday, it would be a good time for all of us to go to lunch there.
I told the boys to look at this trip today to Maison Vauron as today's Grandpa School.* I asked them to be open to trying new things and patient, because having lunch in a French Cafe sometimes takes a little longer than stopping at your typical Kiwi takeaway joint.
This is the entrance from the street. Its presence is not overwhelming. But come inside. Do you have your ears attuned to a French accent? I hope so, because these folks are the genuine article. And the food proves it.
Nothing fancy by the looks of it, but then, wait until you start looking at what's offerred.
That is a serious cheese cooler.
A 198 lb. wheel of cheese.
Chaumes, the real
Permit me to make it cheese.
Mellow and rich in flavor.
(To anyone who speaks French, forgive me for a possibly bad translation)
Cheeses, pates, canned, boxed and bottled delights.
It would take a long time to try every cheese, and sausage available.
The place was jumping despite, or maybe because of the terrible weather today. It was a bit crowded downstairs so we got tables on the second floor. That's also where the wine 'cellar' is located.
(2nd floor) The Tour de France is on so they have a bicycle motiff going on.
This is the first time I've seen a wine 'cellar' that's on the 2nd floor. The wine is arranged on the shelves and around the room based the regions of France.
The waiter serving our table was happy to also act as sommelier, and took me back into the rows of shelves to show me the wines he thought would compliment our meals. That's the first time I've ever done that, but it was very pleasant. 
Wagyu beef, potatoes and cheese
We started with a cheese, sausage, and duck pate platter that also had pickles and jam on it and came with lots of bread.
Jeanne and I had a glass of wine, but because Allie was driving, she stuck with water.
The boys also had hot chocolates.
We discovered that it's crowded because of it's food. No more expensive than any Kiwi cafe, but wow.
We discovered that it's crowded because of it's food. No more expensive than any Kiwi cafe, but wow.
Oxtail and Onion soup
I've had this once. I am addicted.
Poached eggs, potatoes and duck sausage
It was definitely a learning experience for the boys. Arram especially found it a bit hard to take. His idea of fine dining after all is chicken nuggets so even his crusty cheese sandwich was weird. Nevertheless, he hung in there and was very patient. Amiri showed great maturity in his table manners and willingness to try new foods. He tried salmon rillettes. My hat is off to both boys.
When you step through the door of Maison Vouron, it's like you are transported to France. Traveling to foreign countries is not always easy I told the boys, but you'll find that you never forget the experience. I think if nothing else, they'd agree that the French know how to make a good cup of hot chocolate.
And a good lemon pie. (scrap of dark chocolate pie also seen)
* Grandpa school. During holidays from school, I hold a little learning session most weekdays with the boys. The lesson lasts about 10 minutes so it is very easy. (on us both) While the boys sometimes roll their eyes and moan when I call for grandpa school to start, they have also sometimes reminded me, if I'm slow to start it, that it's time.
I want them to know as much about American history, culture, and accomplishments as possible. Current events too. They see many of the photos from various space probes that are out there. We talk about science, math and literature. (Amiri recently discovered that one of his favorite books is a first edition. He now understands what that means and was excited)
The point is not so much to make them learn things, and there are no quizes or tests to worry about, but to keep ideas floating around in their very active minds. Even if some topics mentioned are too advanced for them to learn in detail about now, such as knowing for example, about the single largest machine in the world, the Large Hadron Collider, and the sub-atomic particles it researches, is good for them. And they do seem to enjoy it.
* Some of the food shown here was actually photographed at a later date. -djf
* Some of the food shown here was actually photographed at a later date. -djf
I loved seeing the happy picture of Bob and the family. It was a fitting tribute to him and that smile is just like sunshine to match their jackets. I was positively drooling from your pictures. I would have loved this place. To think when we were young, we were impressed if we got to go to the Kenmore Café in Ironwood. It is now called "The Pines". I feel for Arram and feeling out of sorts at the place. Good for him for being a good sport about it. Some day, he may at least like to people watch and watch for pretty girls there even if he does not like the food. Good for Amiri also and being able to really embrace the place. He is older so that is understandable. I would have loved the oxtail stew. Still, just the cheese with bread alone would have been a great meal with some lovely wine. Thanks for sharing. McKenzie
ReplyDeleteI didn't notice this comment until just today...must be busier now that my better half is traveling.
ReplyDeleteI think when Jeanne comes back, we'll have to stop there again, and it has also been selected as our restaurant of choice for our 44th Anniversary. I wish you two could come along.