A trip to the South of France, and a fantastic dinner in Nice
Earlier in the summer, I took some time and flew to France, where I had a lovely stay in the southern part of that beautiful country, visiting with my friend, Jean Pigozzi. I always enjoy his company and his generous hospitality. One evening, we had plans to meet up with some good friends for an excellent dinner at La Petite Masion in Nice. However, we had a terrible time getting to Nice. Jean decided that we should travel to there from his home in Le Cap d'Antibes aboard his boat, The Amazon Express. Wouldn't you know it - the engine of the boat blew a piston and we had to disembark and find a taxi to travel the rest of the distance. Despite it all, we had a great deal of fun.
Wow, they took really good care of you! I laughed out loud when I saw the close up photo of the waiter, it's what I and my giggling friends would do!
Posted by: Rowena | August 4th, 2009 at 12:52 am
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTHA!!! Have loved you for years!
Posted by: Rowena | August 4th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Bonjour. Your trip to France seemed so nice. I hope to visit there soon. Please post more of your itinerary so I can start my plans.
Posted by: T. Smith | August 4th, 2009 at 1:33 am
Haha, "waiter up close"! Martha!
Posted by: Benita | August 4th, 2009 at 1:48 am
Happy Birthday Martha!
My Birthday is August 6th! Hope you had a good one, don't work so much!
Someone who loves your Show!
Lucille
Posted by: Lucille Rose D'Armi-Riggio | August 4th, 2009 at 1:54 am
a very happy belated birthday though I must say I am surprised by your company here...
Posted by: The Blushing Hostess | August 4th, 2009 at 7:10 am
nice trip to France and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTHA
Posted by: hosamakras | August 4th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Loved the photos. Thanks for sharing. Loved the waiter!
Posted by: toodygoodshoes | August 4th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Thank you for taking us along with you for this amazing outing. Those chickens...I'd LOVE to know the recipe, they look fantastic! I LOVE food pictures...thanks for all of these! And, Happy Birthday too.
Posted by: The Kitchen Designer | August 4th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Martha, your photo essays are always a delight to view! I couldn't help but laugh at all the photos you took of the waiter!!
Posted by: Kevin Haasvh | August 4th, 2009 at 9:12 am
The risotto with summer truffles looks fantastic
Posted by: Robin | August 4th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Wow, how can you eat so much, but having looked at these exquisite dishes, how can you not?
You look great, by the way.
Daria Kushmelyn
Toronto
Posted by: Daria Kushmelyn | August 4th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Bon! Martha!
So tell me, did Xin ever flitter pass the waiter? Just seems like the two of them...well, you know.
Had been wondering where Kevin has been. (Guess the road trip was girls only, huh?) He looks completely cooked! Kevin, a little shade and a stronger sunblock will save that baby face of yours someone native to Florida says...
Martha, I can't believe all of the food! Oh, and I agree, the dog-pocket shirt was great! Is it wrong to ask for a doggie bag when dining out like that? Glad you took the mousse home, anyway.
This blog entry has been yet another lesson in French Cuisine! Thanks!
PS. How'd you get home? You didn't take that cute waiter with you did you? Ha! (She says, jokingly.)
Posted by: tinay | August 4th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Dining at its finest! Along with the bowl of mousse...the waiter should have accompanied it back with you!!
Best birthday wishes to you, Martha...you look fantastic!
Posted by: sherey | August 4th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Yes, Kevin needs to listen to you Martha, did he just fall asleep on the beach?
How does one know how much to eat of each wonderful dish, not knowing how many more will be served?
Posted by: Margie | August 4th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Wow! Could there be a creme caramel recipe for us somewhere???
Posted by: IowaCowgirl | August 4th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Hi Martha,
For sure, Kevin should use a stronger sun blocker and don’t forget the sunglasses with UV protection - must protect those peepers too. Looks like a great time was had by all and that was some spread at the restaurant! Truffles, truffles and more truffles and the chicken, yum! Loved Jean’s shirt too – he reminds me a tad of Paul Sorvino, just a tad.
You go to places I can only dream of going to so again I thank you for taking pictures for us to see. I look forward to seeing more if you want to share and thanks! Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 4th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTHA!!!!!!
Thanks for all the years of Good Things!
I can't wait for the many more years of great things for you!
(sorry I am a day late)
Posted by: bill | August 4th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
For IowaCowgirl - There is a wonderful recipe for creme caramel in my very first book, Entertaining, on page 179. Enjoy!
Posted by: Martha Stewart | August 4th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I just wanted to make another comment to Kevin; your Design Blog on this site is going to be fantastic! I just noticed it when I went poking around on the home page to see what was happening on the show today. You are one of the best designers that I know of and I can't wait to see your finished apartment. I just know I'm going to get some good decorating ideas along the way. Thanks Kevin, I've been wondering if you'd ever start a blog. Here’s the link everyone if Martha doesn’t mind. Trish http://homedesign.marthastewart.com/
Posted by: Trish | August 4th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARTHA! It's always nice to see some of Maine (where
I grew up), especially Mt. Desert, where we have done some sailboat cruising. Thanks for the great pictures, and again, Happy Birthday.
Posted by: Brenda Twinem | August 4th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Hi Martha,
Your dinner looked incredible, you lucky lady. My boyfriend and I were in Paris over New Year's this past year and we can vouch for the wonderful French food. We hope to visit the south of France sometime next year.
Posted by: Francesca Kinsey | August 4th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I wished you a happy birthday yesterday on Twitter, and I'll send you additional wishes again while I'm here today, if you don't mind. I genuinely adore you, Martha, and hope that you had a wonderful day yesterday with your friends and loved ones.
This little outing looked like a lot of FUN! (Obviously, with the challenges in getting there, it wasn't fun until you arrived at La Petite Maison.) Everyone is donning a smile, and the food! - the food looked absolutely delectable, exactly as you remarked! Truffles 'this'...truffles 'that'...yes, I'll have some of those, please! (Truffles taste out of this world - they are soooo good!)
It was nice reading all the birthday wishes sent your way yesterday and today. It just "shows to go ya' " how much you are loved by those whose lives you touch each and every day.
I reiterate my delight for your enjoyment of some down-time during summer's hiatus. It's August already!...summer is slipping away...
Blessings, my wonderful friend!
=^..^=
"What is paradise? but a garden, an orchard of trees and herbs full of pleasure and nothing there but delights."--William Lawson
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | August 4th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Happy Birthday MARTHA...
Looks like martha had the hots for that waiter... HAHA
I think Kevin Sharkey is VERY cute... Is he SINGLE?????
Posted by: Joey Jelnicki | August 4th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Happy Birthday Martha!!
You sure had a great dinner! I love the picture of the roasted chicken....it must have been delicious!! Thanks for sharing the photos & stories of your trips; they are so interesting.
Posted by: Sherry | August 4th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Hi Martha, If this was an example of your visit to the south of France, all of you must have had a fabulous vacation! Oh, how I wish I could have gone but seeing how much fun all of you had was very enjoyable and satisfied my dream of a trip to Nice. I love all of the food you had at La Petite Maison. Your photos were terrific and I love seeing all of the smiles. How great that Kevin, Charles, Jane and Steve were there to enjoy trip with you. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 4th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Wow, that creme caramel looks so good - as well as that cute waiter!!. (Sorry I couldn't resist that one).
Posted by: Maureen | August 4th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Happy Birthday - sorry I'm a day late. Hope it was wonderful!
Your trip sounds nice. How do you not weigh 300 pounds? All that food - seems heavenly!
Posted by: Louise | August 4th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Happy Birthday Martha, I think I watch the tour de france just to see provence. I must tell you that I baked the biscotti in your Christmas book and took to the local county fair and received reserve champion in the cookie division.
Posted by: Pam from Indiana | August 5th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Happy Birthday Martha-U look great
Posted by: dating | August 5th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Happy B-Day...I hope it was a wonderful day and I just wanted to say, I think you are one of the most wonderful people in the whole world.
Glenda
Posted by: Glenda Kuehn | August 5th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I have always thought you were wonderful! Love your personality, show, tips, sense of humor and self confidence.
Posted by: TyeDyeMom | August 5th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Giggling at the waiter .... Was his name Fabio? If it wasn't, it should have been.
Posted by: Patia | August 5th, 2009 at 11:31 pm