Flavor

The world's greatest food critic has been told he has just 48 hours to live. So begins Muriel Barbery's Gourmet Rhapsody which has just become available in the English translation. The critic, who has built and destroyed reputations with the stroke of his pen, now longs for only one thing before he passes; one last taste. Although he has sampled exotic cuisine from a variety of nations, it is a sweet and simple food from his childhood that he recalls as sublime.

During a brief visit with T. who lived in Milan, Italy, her husband prepared a fine meal. Although Milan is a bustling large city, it is typical for people to shop for staples at small markets. We spent the morning gathering ingredients from the green grocer, the meat shop and the bakery. Each tiny shop had a distinct aroma and color. The grocer, the butcher and the baker took great pride in their food; you could tell from the way it was displayed, and how they handled and wrapped your selections. That evening, D. made divine gnocchi with meat sauce, and the little tomatoes in the salad were exquisite. Truly, one of the best meals ever.