This morning I got up and headed to the local boulangerie to grab a chocolatine (pain au chocolat) as I did not have any food for breakfast. I, also, stopped at Carrefours for milk and orange juice. Some of the tea I had bought on my last stay was still in the apartment so I was able to make a cup of tea. The chocolatine was as good as I remembered. The are not quite as good as the Chez Pillon chocolatine’s but definitely good.

After breakfast and getting cleaned up, I went out for a walk. I did a circuit that included the Marché Victor Hugo. I was just looking today but need to go there tomorrow to stock up on some things (cheese, charcuterie, baguette) for future lunches. I did not need lunch supplies as I was having lunch at Terra Tolosa – one my regular eating spots.

I got to Terra Tolosa and was greeted warmly and welcomed back by Thomas, Remi and Pierre. It is fun to be recognized and welcomed as a regular. I was slightly disappointed as they do not have the chef’s table near the kitchen anymore. It was always fun to interact with the kitchen staff. They now have a terrace for eating and since it was very windy, the terrace tables were stored when the chef’s table used to be.

I guess I am enough of a regular as they reminded me that Jesse, one of the sous chefs, had left and was working in the Virgin Islands for the winter. They said he was enjoying it and had sent pictures.

As usual the food was fantastic! I am back to being a food blogger now. The first course was Mackerel Tartar with a fennel, pickled onions and a green pepper sauce with a lemon gel as decoration. The fennel with the mackerel was very complimentary. I love fennel so enjoyed that very much. As usual, the presentation as creative and added to the whole dish.

For the main course, I had filet of Daurade (sea bream) with broccoli, asparagus, bok choy, and parsnips. It was served with a sauce as well. All the vegetables were grilled so they had lots of flavor. I am happy as it is asparagus season – I saw asparagus at the market this morning when I was looking around.

For dessert, it was citrus (orange) entremet. It is cake as a base, orange mouse and then whipped cream on the top. There was citrus gel as decoration. It was one of my favorite entremets I have had there. Some of them seem a little bland but good.

After lunch, I headed to the InterMarche (super market) to do some grocery shopping. I bought some cereal, yougurt, fruit and some other staples to be able to have breakfast at style apartment. I like to have lunch in the apartment but do buy my chocolatine as a treat on Sunday mornings.

I needed wine for dinners and went to my favorite little wine shops in Carmes. I bought a bottle of Château de Cèdre from Cahors. I had bought a bottle of this wine the last time I was here on the recommendation of the wine shop owner. The interesting part is that Revel had a wine class that featured Château de Cèdre and I met the assistant wine maker. This made me want to buy a bottle again here – also, the wine was 15.20 Euros here and it is about $37.00 in the United States – almost double the cost.

In the evening, I went to the Run in Toulouse running group. I saw Eliott and we caught up on what was going on in each of our lives. It was really fun to see him again. He is the person that I probably know the best in Toulouse. We have gone out for drinks and he had dinner with Jesse and Jen when they were here. I, also, saw other runners that I know – Marc and Hugo.

After the run and during calisthenics a young man asked me where I was from in English. I had heard another group speaking English on the run. His name is Armand, I think, and is from Brittany. He just moved to Toulouse 2 weeks ago. He works for a satellite company. Toulouse is the aerospace hub in France. I introduced him to Marc and Hugo and explained that Armand had just moved here. The three of them chatted for a while and we all agreed we would see each other at the next run.

I found it kind of amusing that I was introducing people to each other at the run. The crazy American is working as a catalyst for the Toulousians meeting each other. Eliott told me he had spent the winter running with Marc after I had introduced them on my last visit.

All in all, my re-entry into Toulouse has been good. It is fun to feel part of all these activities.