Where is the French colonialist gourmet past?!*

[just john]

I imagined that the second largest empire in the world behind the British [;-)] would show some of the food influences, Caribbean, Vietnamese, Tunisian or Moroccan to name a few.
When tired of Magret, or Mussels the last thing I miss when in France is Bacon or Balti.
I'd love to find something of a French colonialist gourmet past but have no idea where to find it.
It doesn't seem to be too obvious in the Charente, can anyone point it out?

[cooperlola]

My physio is creole and always telling me how good the food is!

http://www.creole.org/cuisine.htm

[Chancer]

Tajine, cous-cous, mérguéz.......... ?

Lap-lap ? [:-))]

[Frenchie]

YES, chancer is right, plus Colombo ( créole, delicious IMO)

But a real one in a restaurant would be better than " chicken DING "

[;-)]

[Swissie]

In la France profonde, not many restaurants reflecting France's collonial past - to some extent same in UK - in Leicester we had many Indian restaurants- but there are very few in rural Devon or Peak District.

[Frenchie]

JJ could find anything he wants in Angoulême... [:)]

[Swissie]

Any restau recommendations Frenchie?

[Frenchie]

Not in Angoulême, it is too far from me , but I can check on the internet. [;-)]

[just john]

Well I love all the flavours mentioned except when they are out of a packet or recipe book, I've spent some time cooking thai, Indian, Carribean and Morroccan meals, but for me they don't seem to have the kick of eating in a specialist restaurant, and they can be found I know so if anyone has restaurants they could suggest in Angouleme or anywhere else in Charente area let me know[8-|]

[velcorin]

Not a problem round us, very few non-ethnic restaurants. Guess you're in the sticks, or a tourist area? Rurale Frence is notorious for being not exactly welcoming to outsiders, particularly from ethnic groups.

[Frenchie]

JJ, maybe this could help

http://www.sortir-angouleme.com/restaurants-angouleme/restaurants-exotiques/

If you don't understand, I can translate.

[Frenchie]

Or this

From the French west indies , les Antilles, or the Réunion island

 

 

Restaurant AU SOLEIL DES ANTILLES - ANGOULEME

Antillais - Réunionnais - Exotique

AU SOLEIL DES ANTILLES

Coordonnées

19 RUE TROIS NOTRE DAME
16000 ANGOULEME

Téléphone : 05 45 94 70 15

[Dog]

Bit of a trip for you but Perigueux has a Pakistani run Indian an excellent Lebanese and various African/Caribbean restaurants. There is a Greek shop with all the delights you may expect.

[ViVienne]

there is a Moroccan restaurant opposite the L'eclerc in Montmorrilon that a French friend has said is very good, her husband was bought up in Algeria so they like spicy food . We haven't tried it yet, the Chinese place in Montmorrilon is supposed to be good too...oops think I spelt the town name wrong

[Frenchie]

[quote user="ViVienne"]there is a Moroccan restaurant opposite the L'eclerc in Montmorrilon that a French friend has said is very good, her husband was bought up in Algeria so they like spicy food . We haven't tried it yet, the Chinese place in Montmorrilon is supposed to be good too...oops think I spelt the town name wrong[/quote]

How much is a husband in Algeria ?   [:D]

[ViVienne]

oops again, fingers and brain don't seem to be working together today...I already had to go in 3 times and correct spelling mistakes!!

[NormanH]

13 pages in the Hérault which isn't even a région!

http://www.linternaute.com/restaurant/liste/1/5/64/12/0/0/0/0/herault.html?f_id_categorie=7

[vwill88]

One problem is, I think, that the French have been brainwashed into beleiving that if it is not French it is not worth considering. I have heard ,in a resto, regarding wine " is it French?, Non, Non merci" Mexican and south American food has no link to English history but the English/brits will always try something different. 30-40years ago I recall a report saying that the majority of French holidayed in France because "what has anywhere else that is better?" Perhaps imagination is important.

[Frenchie]

Here we go again..[:'(]

As a local indigenous, I can explain why I also prefer it if the Wine is French.

Just because France has a secular tradition with wine, it is part of our patrimoine , and a certain number of our producers' businesses are put in danger by unfair competition ( regarding prices for instances )

I am very curious about food of the world, .I've lived abroad, but I think it is important to protect what we have too.

I ve tried some Californian wine a friend who lives there sent me, I liked it .

Our French cuisine is very varied, whatever you may think, so that explains the phrase you quoted.

Anyway, couscous ( from North Africa) is France 's first favourite dish I think.

My dad's for instance, and he is very traditional. [:)] ( yet, he's been round the world twice..)

Now about holidaying in France,. Our country is big, with a great varity of landscapes, mountains, ther Atlantic, the Meditarranean, countryside, big cities,... etc,  it is easy to find sunshine and the kind of scenery you like.

Money can also be a part of the deal.

If you had  the meditarranean in England , maybe less people would go abroad in the summer, wouldn't they ?

There is maybe a lack of curiosity as you suggest, but other factors have to be taken into account, so let's take prejudices with a grain of salt..... 

[vissac]

Sorry, I wasn't being picky. I was trying to illustrate that things HAVE changed. More French now holiday in all sorts of places. I even know one who has been to Goa a couple of times and loves spicy Indien food. Perhaps with the increase in world exploration there may be a change expansion in eating habite.

Anyway I though that the favorite food of the French was pizza! (judging by the number of outlets around here)

[Frenchie]

Don't get it , are you the same poster as vwill88?

Not being picky ? when you ( ?) wrote " the French have been brainwashed " ?? [Www]

And what s wrong with not holidaying abroad, and not liking hot Indian food?

I personnally don't like the latter..

I'm going to an Indian restaurant tonight, but I will choose the mildest dish , which doesn't mean it is not spicy or bland.

A chacun ses goûts !!!

 

[ViVienne]

ummm....I always holiday in France, and always buy French wine unless there is a really good offer on good quality Australian, African or Chilean wine at my local supermarket.

[Frenchie]

Beware Vivienne, you're going native ! [:D]

[Frenchie]

Quand vous pensez à la France, vous pensez à Paris.
Quand vous pensez à Paris, vous pensez à l'amour.
Quand vous pensez à l'amour, vous pensez à manger.
MANGER?!
Oui, et pour cette raison: 'Le flambeau de l'amour s'allume à la cuisine.'

Quand un(e) néerlandais(e) pense à la gastronomie de la France, il/elle pense aux baguettes et du brie.
Quand un(e) français(e) pense à la gastronomie de la France, il/elle pense au couscous.
COUSCOUS?!
Oui, et pour cette raison: C'est le plat préféré des français!

Someone will probably know how to post it translated into English..

[mint]

Frenchie says:

: 'Le flambeau de l'amour s'allume à la cuisine.'

Sooooo, no more excuse for not producing something nice to eat then?

Wish you wouldn't post those luscious pictures, Frenchie.  I have just returned from the most ginormous lunch and I couldn't really even look at pictures of food![:D]