http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20090729-217812/French-bistro-food-cooked-by-Filipina [image: Zoom Image]Zoom <javascript:popwin("http://images.inquirer.net/media/showbizandstyle/lifestyle/lifestyle/images/pic-07300340140935.jpg";, 640, 480)>
Confit de Canard (duck confit) <http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20090729-217812/French-bistro-food-cooked-by-Filipina>Country Cooking French food cooked by Filipina By Micky Fenix Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 19:24:00 07/29/2009 Filed Under: Restaurants & catering<http://services.inquirer.net/tagcloud/keyword.php?tag=Restaurants%20&%20catering&id=175&imp=> , Food<http://services.inquirer.net/tagcloud/keyword.php?tag=%20Food&id=109&imp=> Most Read <javascript:toggleLayer('mostreadlist');> MY CELEBRATION of Bastille Day (July 14) began at 10 in the evening. And the place was La Cabane on Pasay Road, where the French flag was positioned right at the door. The lady of the house was the one cooking, a Filipina married to a Frenchman. Evelina Pierdrix cooks French bistro food but the one who approves every dish is her husband, Thierry. He does not want to change the flavors to suit the Filipino palate, she said. She learns from her sister-in-law whenever they vacation in Corsica, although Thierry’s family is also from Lyon, reputed to be the culinary capital of France. He wishes that they could get the Corsican sausages and other cheese he knows will make a difference, but they will work with what is available and do it the French way. [image: Zoom Image]Zoom <javascript:popwin("http://images.inquirer.net/media/showbizandstyle/lifestyle/lifestyle/images/pic-07300340330082.jpg";, 410, 565)> Evelina and Thierry Pierdrix Accompaniments were fried potatoes (pommes frites) or potato gratin with hints of cheese, or salad greens baptized with a bit of dressing. There were no adornments to distract. The confit de canard was fried perfectly, the duck leg crisp outside and tender inside and not too salty. The beouf bourguignon was what one would expect of stew that’s been slow-cooked, the wine melding into the sauce and the beef tender. I liked the skewered grilled lamb because it was light, cut thinly. The salads were what you would expect from French bistros—sufficient in volume with dressings that don’t overwhelm the leaves, a palate cleanser just in case you eat the French way by having it at the end of the meal. *Steak tartare* My Bastille Day discovery was the steak tartare. I rarely have this because not many restaurants offer this or do this properly (Le Soufflé Rockwell does). The chopped raw beef was seasoned perfectly (although my French friend wanted it spicier) and it was great with the fried potatoes. And now to the wines. Thierry chooses what the restaurant carries according to Evelina. He will not sell what he thinks doesn’t make the grade even if the distributor is a friend, she said. But if there’s one thing that will keep me going back to the place, it’s the lemon pie (tarte au citron). It isn’t too tart, it’s light and is perfect with coffee or tea. But what does “la cabane” mean? It’s what country wooden houses are called in France. The exterior doesn’t show it and the sign outside is nondescript, but inside, it does have a homey atmosphere with wooden tables and chairs with natural though colored finish. An area dominated with sofas and low tables can be a function room or a place where one can have just wines and appetizers like tasty terrines. The restaurant is also a display area of Thierry’s other business, furniture export. La Cabane Resto Bar is located at 1020 A. Arnaiz (Pasay Road), across Park Square. Call 844-0377/843-8813. E-mail [email protected]. [image: Zoom Image]Zoom <javascript:popwin("http://images.inquirer.net/media/showbizandstyle/lifestyle/lifestyle/images/pic-07300340560998.jpg";, 640, 480)> Tarte au Citron (lemon pie) -- spanx' blog: http://spankyenriquez.blogspot.com/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "gimik" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/gimik?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
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