tag: bastia

[Note: No, I didn't give in to the temptation to jump on a plane and head back to Corsica so soon after my trip in May. My computer had a meltdown recently, and I thought I had lost a good portion of my photos from the island. Thanks to the miracle workers at Apple, such turns out not to be the case. So, here we are -- with some out-of-order posts from Corsica. I hope you enjoy them anyway, despite them being a bit later than expected.]

I think that there’s an instinct in those who travel frequently to avoid the restaurants with the best views, because we assume that they’re inevitably going to be tourist traps with sub-par food. Or be extraorinarily expensive. Or, likely, both. So it’s always a refreshing surprise to find a restaurant with a stunning view, delicious food, and reasonable prices like Chez Vincent in Bastia.

With an unbeatable view overlooking the old port and food that includes Corsican specialties such as veal stewed with chestnuts (above, served as a savory millefeuille) and a catch of the day served en papillote, as well as a page full of pizzas, Chez Vincent manages to have a dish for every craving, without being sycophantic.

Additionally, I will always be grateful to this restaurant for introducing me to my new favorite apéritif: Cap Corse, a fortified wine with a quinine base.

Continue Reading

Posted in: dining out, travel | Tags: bastia, bastia restaurant, best restaurant bastia, chez vincent, chez vincent bastia, corsica, food, food photography, france, photography, restaurant, south of france, travel, view | 4 COMMENTS

It has been raining every hot-damn day in Paris this week. I can’t tell if I’m making myself feel better or torturing myself by looking at these pictures from La Marana beach during our trip to Corsica.

What I wouldn’t give to be lying on that beach right now. Especially since I acquired an especially blotchy tan due to uneven sunblock application.

Continue Reading

Posted in: travel | Tags: bastia, bastia beach, beach, bloggers, corsica, france, la marana beach, mediterranean, south of france, travel | 5 COMMENTS

Like English muffins, good towns should be filled with nooks and crannies.

Tempting little buggers, aren’t they?

Continue Reading

Posted in: travel | Tags: alley, alleys of bastia, alleyway, alleyways, bastia, corsica, france, french town, photo essay, photography, south of france, streets of bastia, travel | 8 COMMENTS

There are some restaurants that do just one thing, and do it so well that every person who visits the town it graces is compelled to visit.

You see that plate of langoustines? €22. For serious. And they were head-sucking, finger-licking good. Simply grilled with some mystery herbs and seasonings, served with a big pile of hot fries.

I mean, there are other things on the menu. These mussels were good, too. But every single person in that fully-booked restaurant was there for one thing.

Continue Reading

Posted in: dining out | Tags: bastia, bastia restaurant, corsica, dinner, food, france, langoustine, langoustine restaurant bastia, langoustines, restaurant recommendations bastia, seafood, shelllfish, travel | 17 COMMENTS