Thursday, December 27, 2007

Old reflects against new




What is one of Rodez's oldest food shops selling for the holidays?

Farm-raised capons, boar, ready-made dishes...and ostrich steaks which, contrary to what you might believe, could very well come from Aveyron.

In the shop window opposite, the English word "authentic" reflects a different approach to commerce.

22 comments:

Randal Graves said...

I have never tasted that last culinary item. If you have, how is it?

That's a hell of a shot by the way. Love the reflection of that particular word.

tut-tut said...

What's the approach? I think I'm missing something . . .

Anonymous said...

Onethings I like about France are the beautiful food displays in the shop windows. I don't really know of a place in Seattle that does that.

Betty Carlson said...

Colleen, a few days before the shop had made a beautiful display on the street with the pineapples hanging from the shop awnings. I took a picture of it and somehow erased all of my pictures from that day from my camera...sigh...

tut-tut, the approach is a more modern one, one that uses English words to entice the customer. I'm not against it as such, but it's a little sad -- and anything but "authentic" in a place like Aveyron!

Betty Carlson said...

Randal, I've never tasted austrich meat either but it is quite fashionable in France these days. I can't say it really appeals to me somehow...

Cf my comments above about the photo. This is one of the funky little shops that makes Rodez what it is...the owner is fairly young and took it over from his parents...I hope it will survive!

Tinsie said...

Hmmm I can totally see why you'd not want an English approach to food commerce ;-)

Betty Carlson said...

Well, I didn't really mean English as such, anglophone rather -- or just plain not French! But the shop across the way is not a food shop anyway...

Anonymous said...

Here in Norway more and more of the speciality food shops disappears and we are left with only the huge chains. I hate that and try to buy at the small shops as often as possible.

wcs said...

There is supposedly a farm near us (near Blois, actually) that raises ostriches for food. But I don't think I've seen any for sale around here.

I'd like to try it one of these days.

My Inner French Girl said...

Chere Betty, what a gorgeous shot! I love the colorful display in contrast with the stark black-and-white signs. Nice composition!

You're making me hungry.

Salut,
Marjorie

Tinsie said...

Awww English-style commerce for anything other than food is most certainly good news (she says, thinking of the winter sale just started hehe :-)

Jann said...

It is a great photo-they really have a beautiful display and arrangements of the foods...how fortunate you are to have this so close to you! Is the austrich as in ostrich? Never had the pleasure of eating this, but was almost attached by one when I was out in a field admiring a few.....they can be mean mothers!

Linda said...

I still haven't tried ostrich or wild boar for that matter. I'm loving the foie gras.

spacedlaw said...

Great picture, Betty.
Ostrich meat would be similar to duck breast (lean red meat, thus). Quite nice, I would recommend you try it. Ask the butcher if you do not quite know how to cook it, I am sure he'd be happy to offer suggestions.

Betty Carlson said...

I can't believe I made the horrible mistake of spelling "ostrich" "austrich!" Thanks to a few of you for your gentle correction.

Talk about second language interference!

Austria, Australia, austrich -- somehow it looked right to me!

spacedlaw said...

Autruche...
The "au" made sense...

Tinsie said...

I hadn't even noticed!! [insert mortified icon here]

Betty Carlson said...

spacedlaw -- Well, it made sense at the time!

tinsie -- I'm a stickler for spelling, so I'm the mortified one! If some of my readers didn't notice, so much the better!

Tinsie said...

I'm the same, hence my mortification!

Oh well... Bonne Année anyway :-)

Anonymous said...

Interesting and thoughtful post and picture!

Wishing you A Happy New Year, or as we say it in Norway: Happy New Year :-)

Btw: I celebrate in Sweden and we are still good friends LoL

deedee said...

Happy New Year Betty!
I've tried the ostrich meat, it's ok...I'm with Linda, keep the foie gras coming :)

Betty Carlson said...

Thank you for all the comments on this post! My cup runneth over...

I'm a little overwhelmed by everything (good) that's been going on over the holidays and by going back to work, but I'll be back to my Google-Reader-reading habits soon!

In the meantime, Happy New Year!