Laura and Jordan at Chez Mirabel
It’s a joy to finally share Chez Mirabel with our children, Jordan and Laura. Jordan (architect in Beijing) met Laura (grad student at Harvard) in Rome for a few days before flying into the Marseilles airport. Steve arrived on the same day from Portland, having just finished grading his students’ final exams. Friends Alice and Hal McCartor were our house guests at Chez Mirabel too.
Its been a busy mélange of work and fun: we unpacked all the boxes in the basement, outfitted the kitchen, matched lamps with lampshades and rewired lamps, hung art, sealed the travertine bathroom tiles and wood doors, hemmed and hung curtains, upholstered chair seats and much more. At the end of each day is a beautiful meal, prepared in our fully functioning kitchen, often with delicious items purchased just a few steps away at the epicerie. Last night we tried the superb caillettes aux chataignes (veal and chestnut paté), sauteed green beans, roasted eggplant and a hearty local grain called épeautre, with a red wine from Rasteau and a rosé from Puymeras.
Hiking through the vineyards surrounding the village of Vinsobres. We see this charming village from our terrace at Chez Mirabel.
We are having a great time exploring the neighboring countryside by taking hikes, mapped out in the terrific Drome Provençale hiking guidebook Alice and Hal got for us at the tourist office here in Mirabel. Steve, Laura and Jordan also walked to the village of Piégon just 2 km away. The weather has been warm and beautiful, perfect for hiking and dining outdoors.
Alice and Hal’s last day began with a visit to the fabulous Thursday market in Nyons. We shopped and tasted and bought two market baskets full of fresh vegetables, fruit, olives, tapenade, cheeses, nougat and homemade sausages. For lunch we took Lynda and Jim’s advice and ate at La Girocedre in nearby Puymeras. It was wonderful! Dining al fresco in the flower-filled shady patio was divine. The the food was seasonal – fresh and delicious. At 18 euros for entree, plat and dessert, we will return often. –Dory
Dory at the window looking down on outdoor patio at La Girocedre
Lunch at La Girocedre