VittlesVamp

Francophile Brooklyn-Style

I wouldn't necessarily categorize myself as a Francophile, but boy was I disappointed when my March trip to Paris was cancelled. That said, I do recognize that the whole world was cancelled in March. My trip was simply a small bit of collateral damage.

Nonetheless, I've been mooning over photos of the City of Light and riffing on French recipes, watching Instagram Live sessions directly from Paris, and occasionally visiting a French restaurant here in Brooklyn with a garden out back -- all in an effort to try to reclaim a trip that never was.

A new go-to in this pursuit? A sliver of a shop in Carroll Gardens -- Le French Tart Deli.

The word "deli" throws it all a bit askew to me, but once inside this French gem, you are surrounded by foodstuffs and sundries that transport you to the Left Bank.

Think mustards. Many, many mustards...

Think boxes of popular French cookies and supermarche grab-and-go cakery...

And, then there is a refrigerator stocked with saucisson sec, jambon de Paris, duck rillette, and pâté. Did I mention the cheeses? Soft-ripened double cream cheese with a side of homemade fig jam? Yes, please!

Oh, and there is a freezer brimming with ready-made meals like Blanquette de Veau and Cassoulet Toulousain.

But then, there is this...

Le French Tart Deli makes a supremely good baguette.

And, if you like their baguette, you'll love...

...their selection of croissant, pastries, and macaron cookies -- all baked on premises.

France may seem very far away, but I am grateful that this new shop is close enough for the occasional shopping spree until I can once again break out my passport and put it to good use.

Mercí Le French Tart Deli!

Oyster Happy Hours Of Days Gone By?

Remember Oyster Happy Hours? I recall them all too fondly. I cannot tell you how much I have sorely missed inexpensive shellfish slurping and cocktailing with friends.

And just when I figured that Oyster Happy Hour wouldn't be on the rotation for a good long time, I stumbled upon a sign at the new Cardinal Mkt on Henry Street, not too far from my apartment. Was I seeing things or was this a chalkboard inviting patrons to an Oyster Happy Hour? It wasn't a mirage. It was a bonafide Oyster Happy Hour - one that was offered up in a makeshift patio out on the street, but a real deal Oyster Happy Hour nonetheless.

Dare I? I don't usually sit out front of restaurants these days. I usually keep my dining out to garden locations. But, there was no one else sitting on the patio. There wasn't much foot traffic on the street either. I dare!

One slurp and it was all sortsa like Proust's madeleine. The briny, boozy memories of Oyster Happy Hours of long ago came flooding back. Oh, yes! This was pleasure. This was joyful. This was just the fix I needed before the weather turns frigid cold and I start to want my oysters in chowder instead of on-the-half-shell.

Will I return for more? Most likely. In addition, I'm going to be getting shucking lessons soon. If we end up back in lockdown I think I had better be prepared. I will make my own Oyster Happy Hour, if need be!