Road Reports

I don't know what it is, but at least once a trip I find the restaurant I wish could be taken home in the Star Trek transporter, complete with staff, decor and of course the cooking.

In Alsace it's Wistub du Sommalier. In Paris it has to be Willie's Wine Bar, while in Ocho Rios it's The Mug. The former Pirets in Encinitas. Get the idea. Here in the hills of the Languedoc, Northwest of Bezier, it has to be La Boucherie.

Now no one will ever say La Boucherie is going to be awarded a Michelin star. It's not that kind of place. It is a real butcher shop turned eatery. But it has a certain quality, a charm, the kind of feel that could be imitated but never duplicated. It is truly special.

I'm not sure exactly what makes it so special. Is it the light upbeat jazz, the Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald music? Is it the decor, made up of knick-knacks from the owners annual trips abroad? What about the artwork of jazz greats that adorn the wall ? Could it be the friendly service, the rediculously low prices or the marvelous fresh country cooking?

It isn't big, maybe thirty seats. But its charm and quality lies along with everything already told in the attentive service and outright freshness of the cuisine, for everything is made or cut for you, from the artisian bread to your beef.

Perhaps another part of the allure is the skillfully prepared Soupe a Pistou, a rich hearty tomato based soup that is laced with basil and garlic. To that you add fresh cut green beans, diced bacon and other vegitables. It is wonderul, filling and takes the autumn chill out of you.

Maybe its the mouth-watering Bavette with shallots and potatoes. Skirt steak cooked with salt and pepper and a touch of olive oil. Nothing more than that before it is then smothered with slow cooked diced shallots. Delightful.

Possibly it's the local vin d'pay red wine from the Domaine de la Croix Belle, which you get for a whopping 36ff for a litre pichet ($6). That is some real bargain.

Yes it is all that and more. So like the other nice spots, I'm adding La Boucherie to my list of must to visit again and again.

Andy