La Provence

I’ve been wanting to visit La Provence for over thirty years.
Well, it was worth the wait! What fun my wife and I had brunching with her Northshore aunt. First of all, the French farmhouse aesthetic fits the semi rural location perfectly (we had such a long and lovely brunch we didn’t have it in us to tour the gardens out back, but next time…) and the staff seems to treat everyone like regulars.
My new aunt ordered the ricotta stuffed crispy squash blossoms (tasty) and the shrimp & grits (rich, creamy, earthy and plain delicious) and finished with ricotta filled crepes with flambee’d Ponchatoula strawberries (mmm-​mmm-​good!).
My lovely wife Paige started (as she is wont to do) with the crispy cornmeal fried oyster salad that I suspect must have been fantastic because I couldn’t even get a taste! She also enjoyed the shrimp and grits and had the blueberry clafoutis (I am a clafoutis freak and this one rocked my socks).
My boon companions agreed I won the title of best orders though; I started with the chilled asparagus soup with black truffle tapenade & ciabatta croutons-​molto bene! The best of all the tasty dishes I sampled that day. I loved the crispy gulf drum (which was basically fischshcnitzel), the crispy breading thin and not at all greasy, the flesh juicy and clean and the mini mountain of crab meat atop it fresh and sweet and mingled with mushrooms. A special tip of my hat to the downright fluffy brown butter hollandaise-​I rarely say this about sauces, but I wished for more. I finished with the Nutella stuffed French toast, which were essentially plump little triangular dumplings made of (I can’t believe I am extolling something like this) Bunny bread!!!
We had a great chat with the manager/​partner Kerry Kelly who is clearly running a tight but happy ship.
I have a feeling once we sample dinner here, that star rating will be maxed out!

Once the door opens, your nose is greeted with the fragrance of fresh lavender. As you take it in, your eyes catch endless hand-​made linens and soaps. There are many housewares to look at too. Go on, touch the fabrics. Smell the sachets. The linens are bright and ornate. The paper goods are simple. Lavender is everywhere.
The owner is French and happy you have entered her store. Practice your French with her, just remember to use VOUS. You have been lucky to stumble in this «little bit of heaven» shop. Spend some time to enjoy it. All of your senses are brought to life here.