La Carotte

As a bit of recompense for the slightly damning account of last nights dinner, here’s a little about a very friendly little place I had lunch today. 

La Carotte on Place de Valencia had caught my eye before because of its orange-rabbit sign general plastic-colourfulness, but a small enough place to fit cosily among the old buildings). Today I wandered past and noticed there was a deal on to have vegetable crumble and soup together for 8€ so went back around lunchtime. Its name does quite well to explain what La Carotte is like. My food was fresh and a little bit cute, and still quite French and recommended to me by a sweet waitress pointing out things on a giant board. I was once again one of the earlier customers, aside from a young English couple and their high-chaired infant so she was not yet in the rush of full tables - about 10 outside altogether.

I normally wouldn’t order mushroom soup as I don’t know if I’ve ever had a good experience, but I wanted to be full up and get good value for money. And this turned out not to be mushroomy water, but quite flavoursome. And served in a mug! The crumble sounded like a good idea, with mostly onions and aubergine tapenade but I think I had too high expectations for fresh veg, because it turned out so salty that I drank my whole carafe of water. I think the English must be thought to undercook their veg, because I’ve really got used to things that you actually have to bite through when you eat them. In my experience on the continent vegetables are cooked to buggery. (Is that a term any one else even uses?) 

Just to add to that, my pudding was really, really lovely. I even saw the waitress run across the square to ask something to a man sitting outside the crêperie, who must’ve been some fruit provider, because she came back with apples or nectarines, which then seemed to be hand chopped into tiny pieces and served in one of those glass jars that seal with metal. That was as fresh and hand made as you’d get! 

Altogether really sweet, the crumble came with salad and a cucumber bit arranged sort of like a face. I think I would go back and try their bagel and fruit smoothies :-)  

http://lacarotte.kazeo.com/