We live in London having just returned from 17 years living in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. We have 3 children aged 13-16 and for them, La Sonine is home. Having owned the house from the time they were infants, we are experts on what do to in the area and are very happy to advise. I send detailed information to help you plan a relaxing stay...ere is a taste: I have created a wonderful kitchen with 2 ovens, a Kooker, Ice Cream maker, Pasta maker, 2 fridges (and a spare one in the chalet) etc., so if you want to cook – the kitchen is designed for this. And … you are on holiday so here are a few short cuts that I have learned over the years.
Picard: this is the Frozen food shop on the left on your way to Vence, after the beautiful roundabout but before LeClerk. Use it. They pick their vegetables at their best and flash freeze them retaining all the nutrients and flavour. They can take the time out of cooking as they do things like minced shallots, chopped fresh frozen herbs etc. They have wonderful soups – gazpacho and other European varieties that are delicious. If you are here with babies, they even have pureed veg and fruit. For families, they do family portions and if you are entertaining they have little ‘amuse bouche’ to whet the appetite. Fancy snails or duck – they do these pre-prepared so
If you aren’t a chef or interested in trying these from scratch – buy them ready made. I always buy a few things for the freezer from here so that I have a back up when I just don’t feel like producing something from scratch.
Make lunch easy: French pate and bread, Serrano ham, Quiche, some cheese and a fresh green salad or grilled asparagus with parmesan cheese, steamed artichokes a glass of gazpacho.
Plan a few menus before you come and draw up the shopping list. This will mean you don’t need to think when you are jetlagged and in a foreign supermarket which is vast and not organized as you would expect. I attach my list for the basic shop...