Status
Available
Collection
Publication
New York : Broadway Books, c2001.
Description
Susan Loomis arrived in Paris twenty years ago with little more than a student loan and the contents of a suitcase to sustain her. But what began then as an apprenticeship at La Varenne École de Cuisine evolved into a lifelong immersion in French cuisine and culture, culminating in permanent residency in 1994. On Rue Tatin chronicles her journey to an ancient little street in Louviers, one of Normandy’s most picturesque towns. With lyrical prose and wry candor, Loomis recalls the miraculous restoration that she and her husband performed on the dilapidated convent they chose for their new residence. As its ochre and azure floor tiles emerged, challenges outside the dwelling mounted. From squatters to a surly priest next door, along with a close-knit community wary of outsiders, Loomis tackled the social challenges head-on, through persistent dialogue–and baking. On Rue Tatin includes delicious recipes that evoke the essence of this region, such as Apple and Thyme Tart, Duck Breast with Cider, and Braised Chicken in White Wine and Mustard. Transporting readers to a world where tradition is cherished, On Rue Tatin provides a touching glimpse of the camaraderie, exquisite food, and simple pleasures of daily life in a truly glorious corner of Normandy.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member dianaleez
I enjoyed reading about the life behind the cookbooks. Loomis gives a great view of small town France. Did you know that French school children get real food for lunch - not a fish stick in sight! A relaxed and entertaining memoir.
LibraryThing member michigantrumpet
Through Ms. Loomis' writing we share in the exhilarating expereince of acclimatizing oneself to a new culture/language/country. At times humorous, usually sympathetic (except regarding the Priest!) and often lyrical, On Rue Tatin is a delightful and quick read. Recipes are found at the end of most
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chapters. I LOVE that there is a recipe index at the end of the book for quick reference, and that quantities served are helpfully listed. (Surprising how often these little things are neglected!) I read this after having read David Lebovitz's Sweet Life in Paris and enjoyed each. Show Less
LibraryThing member CookieDemon
I really enjoy travel writing- some of which has really engaged me and a lot of which I have found exceedingly dull and without imagination or character. For me, this book definitely fell into the first category. As a food writer and chef, Loomis writes beautifully with vivid descriptions of
Admittedly, not a lot happens, so don't expect a fast-paced read- it is more a recount of Loomis and her family moving to a small French town (Louviers) and their trials and tribulations of trying to restore a tumbledown house as well as fit in with the locals. Full of Gallic flavour, it charmingly recaps details of their day to day lives at such a gentle pace that you feel you could be walking right alongside them and exploring the town. I particularly enjoyed Loomis discussing the French market and seasonal produce. I would love to go to Louvier one day after reading this book.
The book is also full of quirky, memorable characters and amusing anecdotes. If I had one criticism it would be that though Loomis does indicate some minor troubles that they faced as `foreigners' settling in, it does not go into too great a depth which would have maybe made the book feel less `charming' perhaps. The book manages to retain a light hearted feel throughout and is full of stories of eager and welcoming neighbours who then become close friends- she and her family seem to have been accepted into the area immediately, though often in other travel books I have read this has not been the case. Call me cynical but I suspect that the encounter with the priest next door was perhaps a bit more problematic than was written about here!
Overall though, this was such a lovely, escapist read and most definitely a must read for foodies! I would really love to read more memoirs by Loomis in future and will most definitely be giving some of the featured recipes ago. I think if you need a book to curl up with, transport yourself somewhere new and forget about the cold weather outside, then this is the travel book for you.
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sights, sounds and particularly the tastes and smells of France. This is escapist writing at its best, though it left me feeling very hungry, though if you are that way inclined, this book does handily encompass some of the mouth-watering recipes Loomis talks about.Admittedly, not a lot happens, so don't expect a fast-paced read- it is more a recount of Loomis and her family moving to a small French town (Louviers) and their trials and tribulations of trying to restore a tumbledown house as well as fit in with the locals. Full of Gallic flavour, it charmingly recaps details of their day to day lives at such a gentle pace that you feel you could be walking right alongside them and exploring the town. I particularly enjoyed Loomis discussing the French market and seasonal produce. I would love to go to Louvier one day after reading this book.
The book is also full of quirky, memorable characters and amusing anecdotes. If I had one criticism it would be that though Loomis does indicate some minor troubles that they faced as `foreigners' settling in, it does not go into too great a depth which would have maybe made the book feel less `charming' perhaps. The book manages to retain a light hearted feel throughout and is full of stories of eager and welcoming neighbours who then become close friends- she and her family seem to have been accepted into the area immediately, though often in other travel books I have read this has not been the case. Call me cynical but I suspect that the encounter with the priest next door was perhaps a bit more problematic than was written about here!
Overall though, this was such a lovely, escapist read and most definitely a must read for foodies! I would really love to read more memoirs by Loomis in future and will most definitely be giving some of the featured recipes ago. I think if you need a book to curl up with, transport yourself somewhere new and forget about the cold weather outside, then this is the travel book for you.
Show Less
LibraryThing member cat-ballou
oh, i am such a francophile. i've got it bad for les francais. and this is a book after my own heart, wherein a chef moves to suburban france - always so much nicer than suburban america - and, ultimately, opens her own cooking school after navigating the vagaries of tricky ovens and farmer's
the recipes included (& listed in a handy recipe index) are delightful - i have had wonderful success with the clafoutis, the leek-and-goat-cheese-stuffed apples, and the crescent rolls. "you didn't make these yourself, did you?" why yes, as a matter of fact, i did.
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markets. the recipes included (& listed in a handy recipe index) are delightful - i have had wonderful success with the clafoutis, the leek-and-goat-cheese-stuffed apples, and the crescent rolls. "you didn't make these yourself, did you?" why yes, as a matter of fact, i did.
Show Less
LibraryThing member cat-ballou
oh, i am such a francophile. i've got it bad for les francais. and this is a book after my own heart, wherein a chef moves to suburban france - always so much nicer than suburban america - and, ultimately, opens her own cooking school after navigating the vagaries of tricky ovens and farmer's
the recipes included (& listed in a handy recipe index) are delightful - i have had wonderful success with the clafoutis, the leek-and-goat-cheese-stuffed apples, and the crescent rolls. "you didn't make these yourself, did you?" why yes, as a matter of fact, i did.
Show More
markets. the recipes included (& listed in a handy recipe index) are delightful - i have had wonderful success with the clafoutis, the leek-and-goat-cheese-stuffed apples, and the crescent rolls. "you didn't make these yourself, did you?" why yes, as a matter of fact, i did.
Show Less
LibraryThing member cat-ballou
oh, i am such a francophile. i've got it bad for les francais. and this is a book after my own heart, wherein a chef moves to suburban france - always so much nicer than suburban america - and, ultimately, opens her own cooking school after navigating the vagaries of tricky ovens and farmer's
the recipes included (& listed in a handy recipe index) are delightful - i have had wonderful success with the clafoutis, the leek-and-goat-cheese-stuffed apples, and the crescent rolls. "you didn't make these yourself, did you?" why yes, as a matter of fact, i did.
Show More
markets. the recipes included (& listed in a handy recipe index) are delightful - i have had wonderful success with the clafoutis, the leek-and-goat-cheese-stuffed apples, and the crescent rolls. "you didn't make these yourself, did you?" why yes, as a matter of fact, i did.
Show Less