francofiled

................ Arab Jazz ................ By Karim Miske Translated by Sam Gordon Maclehose Press, 2015 ISBN: 9780857053114 Arab Jazz is Karim Miske's first novel and it got me hooked from the word go. I am a fan of detective fiction and although books are not supposed to be judged from their covers the artwork on this one was particularly a propos. The blend of religious symbolism on the cover cleverly suggests the interplay of cultures and that's just what we get.  The scene is set with a tethered hand, blood-stained orchids - here is a murder on a Parisian balcony.  For a little more information on the storyline check out the Maclehose Press  page here .  No spoilers. Notice that in my picture of the cover, I have added a pair of earphones.  That's because the novel is supplemented with a playlist.  Karim Miske is also a film maker and it's the first time I have come across such a technique in a book. I was a good...

It was a first visit to OXCave in Oxford Street, Belfast and the good reports that we had heard turned out to be fully justified.  It was great. As a cheese lover it was nice to be informed about each variety and to pick a selection from the large board: Over on the counter, under a glass cloche, sat a huge tranche of Comte. The staff member said that the way it was served had proved to be very popular - it came grated with truffle honey. Here's the tranche: and the plate of the prepared cheese with truffle honey: It certainly was an interesting combination, packed with flavour. As a wine lover, with a strong preference for European, and as you would expect from the title of my blog, especially French wines it was equally good to have a knowledgeably offered choice.  This one was very nice indeed: A nice first visit... We'll be back again soon.

La Cocotte, Cafe and restaurant Poulet basquaise with dauphinoise Hachis parmentier, confit de canard