Bâlehoo

Cotton candy at an Alsatian restaurant? Yes! I am a sucker for all things sugary, so the minute I saw the fluffy, pink balls being served to our neighbors at JY’S (Jean-Yves Schillinger) restaurant in Colmar, I was hooked.

The good news (for the non-sugar-addicts among you) is that the food is just surprising. Inventive and fresh, the menu features everything from sushi and fois gras to grilled sardines and roasted venison dans une croûte.

With such an interesting and varied menu, it was hard to choose - so we didn’t. Instead, we opted for the six-course tasting menu (approximately 60 Euros) and it was worth every cent. (There is also a smaller, less expensive tasting menu.)

As if the excellent cuisine isn’t enough, the restaurant – from its sleek bar and leather banquette down to the stylish bread baskets and water bottles – also has a simple, chic aesthetic. And, of course, there’s cotton candy at the end to help sweeten your (not-too-sour) bill.

For more information visit the website: www.jean-yves-schillinger.com

Restaurant JY’S
17, rue de la Poissonnerie
68000 Colmar
France
Tel: +33 3 89 215 360
www.jean-yves-schillinger.com

For those of us who like French wines, cheese and other specialties, the big news this weekend is the Degustha 2006!

Held in nearby Hagenthal, France, from September 1-5, this interactive expo features hundreds of winemakers from around France, who have their cellar’s best wines available for the tasting and buying. Taste the latest vintage of your favorite chablis and burgundy or try something new - a deep, berry-colored Cahor or, perhaps, a flavorful Chinon.

When you’ve had your fill of wine, you can soak up some of the champagne you just drank by sampling many other French gastronomic specialities on offer, including fois gras, rillette and other charcuterie, as well as cheeses, preserves and my favorite – “ravioles”. These ravioli-like pastas stuffed with goat cheese are a specialty from the Lyon area.

If you prefer not to snack on vendor offerings, there are approximately 30 restaurants and bistros that have set up camp at the Degustha, offering seafood, tarte flambé and everything in between. And don’t forget to browse the spice, fabric, soaps and ceramics stalls to pick up a few nice gift items. (See some great photos of the degustha here.)

There really is something for everyone at the Degustha, so designate a driver, hop in the car, and go!

NOTE: Your admission ticket is available at the door and is good ALL weekend, so head back over a few times to take in all the fun - or share it with a friend.

HA/DEGUSTHA/MAIRIE
BP 01 HK - F68220 Hagenthal (Haut-Rhin)
Tél : 03 89 68 11 12
www.degustha.fr

If you love antique markets, hop in the car and drive to Belfort, France this Sunday, September 3. The Belfort Marché aux Puces (Flea Market) is billed as “the largest flea market in the east of France.”

Held on the first Sunday of every month, from March to December, the outdoor market features more than 200 vendors, with offerings that range from antique glassware, mustard pots and linens to furniture, vintage tins - and much, much more.

I’ve found everything from heavy, handblown water goblets and elegant, white ceramic pitchers to antique, rush-seated Proveçal armchairs and beautiful oak desks.

While prices aren’t the cheapest, the quality tends to be excellent and on a sunny morning the atmosphere is magnifique. Even if you don’t buy a thing, it is worth the hour-long trip just to stroll around the bustling square or sit and watch the action while enjoying some café au lait - and maybe a fresh, warm waffle (gaufre).

The market is held in the center of the “Old Town” (follow yellow signs for the Marché aux Puces). Things start pretty early and close up by noon, so make sure to head over early.