If you're like me, you live in a culinary desert (aka Topeka, KS) and you sit and watch the Travel Channel or Anthony Bourdain visit exotic locations full of wonderful cuisine and you hope and you dream and you WAIT. And once in a while when you've saved your pennies you go on a journey (I like to call them quests) and you get to experience the best that artisans have to offer.
Last night was another of those times. I'll spare you the details of describing the fantastic Cromesquis de foie gras or table-side carved Jambon Canane. Suffice to say they were excellent, but not what I came for. My wife, who does not share my zeal for all things animal and fat and skin and connective tissue had the halibut. It was reportedly quite nice. But again, not what I drove 1400 miles for.
It was the namesake that I sought. A glorious and enormous piece of swine trotter. Baked in their brick oven, "stuffed" with foie gras and blanketed with an epic mushroom and herb gravy over mashed potatoes. I can count on one hand the meals I have enjoyed so immensely.
Tonight I am finishing the remains of what mere mortals could not consume in one sitting with a nice baguette and contemplating my return for an encore!