Mc Donald's- Culinary Favorite of the French?

Bordeaux, France

I was looking over my recent trip’s photos -visiting Chateau Laniote -St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe, Chateau Kirwan, and others while cruising on the wonderfully  sexy-sleek Azamara Journey,

and suddenly got the urge to go to McDonald's!
  
   You see, last month I was in Bordeaux, France, and rented a minivan for the day along with my new found friends- California vintners Len and Jan Gelfand; adventurers Philip and Diana: Mike and Merilee; sommelier/ restauranteur Paola  Embry, and  traveler Marilyn, to taste ripe grapes on the vine,

 sample wines at an elegant St Emilion wine shop, and

at several chateaux around the picture-perfect historic UNESCO town of St. Emilion.

St. Emilion Monolithic Cathedral Tower, via HDR Effects

Our local driver, Emmanuel,

Emmanuel and Mike

accompanied us to a superb wine tasting of Bordeax-area wines; to Chateau Laniote



Arnaud de La Filolie, Friendly Owner of Chateaux Laniote, Grand Cru Classé



Chateau Laniote, 12 acres of vines on the Right Bank



Chateau Laniote

another lovely Chateaux,  thence to the hidden nook of a bistro in St Emilion- Le Giron Dines,

 where I had one of the best  prepared fresh fish dishes of my life!

When I asked this French gentleman, gifted  with such a fine palate and intimate knowledge of the best of Bordeaux, what was a favorite lunch spot of his, he cheerily replied “Mac Do nald's” with his beautiful French accent.    Huh?   “Do you mean McDonald’s, the American restaurant?," I asked in disbelief.

McDonald's in Bordeaux, France

“Oui, monsieur, Mac Do nald's. It is fast, inexpensive, and I enjoy its taste.” There you have it, I kid you not. The proof of the pudding is that there are over 30,000 McDonald's around the globe, strategically placing their golden arches by city halls, cathedrals and  in choice  locations for foot traffic!

So inspired, I went this very evening to the nearest Mc D’s where they were proudly serving, Ta Da,  the Mc Rib! For $2.99, this sloppy, BBQ sauce-slathered porcine delight, topped with crisp onions and pickles, hit the spot.

Glancing down, my Mc Rib place mat urged me to

 “Turn it and learn it!"

 However I turned it over and realized McDonald's told a  Big McFib- they do not deign to list any wimpy nutritional info for the regal Mc Rib! I’m fine with that. Places like California and Chicago's Charlie Trotter have dictated to their areas' docile inhabitants what politically correct foods one should and shouldn’t eat by banning 'em on their whim. Meh!

 For me, I’ll continue to enjoy fine French Bordeaux wines, fresh fish, foie gras, escargots, Two-Buck Chuck, McD’s crisp fries, and the tangy sauce and proud pork of the label-less McRib. So swallow that, Comrade Charlie!

Len and  Jan,  Diana and Philip

St. Emilion Vineyards



New Friends Savoring Azamara Journey's Fine Cuisine and Wines

Chateau Kirwan, Margaux Appellation

Chateau Kirwan Cellar

Ch. Palmer, Margaux  Appellation,  Bordeaux Region

McDonald's is Hot with Fries and Smoothies!

McDonald’s will be packed Thursday, August 19th!

    Many local restaurants offer two for one specials. So will McDonald’s restaurants in Collier and Lee counties, with a “Back to School on a Budget” special only Thursday, August 19th. Buy one Big Mac or Quarter Pounder with cheese sandwich and get a second of the same sandwich for just a penny.

     I really like McDonald’s smoothies- a banana-strawberry combo and a wild berry-made while you watch. Rich and full of fruit, they are healthy good values with small and medium sizes for $2.29 and 2.79. The ingredients are low-fat yogurt, real fruit puree and ice. Small smoothies have 210 calories, half a gram of fat, 3 grams of fiber and 44 grams of sugar.
   I prefer the wild berry’s bolder taste-In a blind tasting, I'd put their taste up against most health food stores. If they add some more flavors like mango, papaya, and some citrus with varied yogurts, I'll put my Vitamix blender away, and save some prep and cleanup time!
   Their 1/3 pound, $3.99 Angus burger is big, and I like the bun. My burger was well done on two separate occasions, and the Angus beef is not as tasty as burgers at competitors like Burger King or some of the happy hour spots like McCormick & Schmick. Their crisp, 1/4" thick fries are the best!

Angus 1/3 Pounder with Banana-Strawberry and Wild Berry Smoothies

    McDonald’s took first place for best fast food meal value, and their fries earned first place among fast food spots this week in the Zagat 2010 Fast Food Poll, beating out Five Guys, Wendy’s and Burger King.

    This order was reversed with fast food burgers, as Five Guys took top honors, followed by In-N-Out Burger, Wendy’s, Burger King and then McDonald's. Of the full service chains, Bonefish Grill won for seafood, and Outback Restaurants sizzled in steaks. Dairy Queen’s milkshakes swept in like a blizzard.