FOOD | LITERATURE | ART | MUSIC | SPECTACLE
Discovering the Culture and Cuisine of Cordes: One Bite at a Time
VIBE 81 Edition 002: Exploring Culture, Cuisine, and Community
This newsletter was first published in August in French on Mailchimp. As we transition to Medium, we’re re-releasing it here for archival purposes.
Note: Many non-affiliate hyperlinks will take you outside of Medium.
The dream of VIBE81 to be the first source of cultural and culinary news in Cordes continues.
Hey, did you hear? July was a month not to forget in Cordes!
Cordes was teeming with amazing summer events; the Festival Médiéval Grand Fauconnier, the classical music festival, and a crazyily good new business, La Théière Folle (The Crazy Teapot) opened in the centre of the lower town. More to come on this wonderful addition to Cordes’ foodie scene!
What’s new in August?
Get ready for an unforgettable month of August! Expect more music, shows, art and food! In addition, you will meet some amazing people! Here are the highlights!
- Food: Our new Tea House the “chouette” La Théière Folle !
(“Chouette” literally means owl in French but in slang it means cool). - Literature: A new English novel by Chioma Okerke, “Water Baby”.
- Art: Introducing the VIBE 81 team; our Art editor Jennifer Reynolds
- Music: 5 bands at the Auros Brewery and more around town.
- Spectacle/Performances: A “Hot” night of dance at the Firemen’s Ball the “Bal des Pompiers”
In Cordes-sur-Ciel:
The absolutely fabulous Crazy Teapot (La Théière Folle) is the new kid on the block for Cordes!
La Théière Folle is not really mad, I think it may be a wink to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in Alice in Wonderland. You’ll have to ask the proprietors with great taste, Axel Bertrand-Hake and Ricky Hake.
If you want a place on their charming balcony, on a sunny Saturday morning (see photo above), reservations are recommended. Come early before your shopping at the Farmers market and they’ll hold a table for you if there is space!
La Théière Folle serve a large variety of delicious teas, and considering they market themselves as a “Tea Room”, amazing coffee too. They source this from a local supplier in Toulouse. You can buy this to take home, along with a few other treats. Home made cakes and other light choices are served as well.
Niko and family opened their second food truck at Brasserie Auros in June, serving Asian food.
This gave their happy customers a choice to their original food truck that offers burgers and salads, on weekends when both are open.
Don’t walk there… run!
Asian Food Truck Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday
(Update: The Asian Truck is closed for the autumn/winter now [September] but we all hope it will be back nest spring/summer)
Hamburger Food Truck Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
S. Callipyge is the place to go to for great Italian food and drinks. VIBE 81 recommends their delicious “Spritz”. (They also host music evenings).
Reservation recommended.
To find out a lot more about S. Callipyge you can read this article I wrote about them when I joined Medium. If you’ll forgive the quality it was my first or second story on the platform. It’s time to visit again and do an update.
Les Enfants de Germaine , is the perfect place to take a break when you show your old and new friends around this ancient town.
On their website Les Enfants de Germaine are listed as a Salon de Thé (Tea Room), Boutique Déco Brocante (A Flea Market*) and “Chambres d’hôtes” (Guest House). Their Salon de Thé serves delicious treats and excellent coffee. Make sure you see the beautiful staircase right next to the shop, just to the right of this photo 👉🏻.
There’s even a quiet oasis of a courtyard to enjoy your “pause”.
(*More upscale than the average “Flea Market”, more of a “second-hand shop”)
Just across the street from Les Enfants de Germaine, things are only getting better. A new family took over the restaurant last year, and made some welcome changes. The menu has expanded and the “Planches” (platters) while similar to what were offered before by the last owners , just seem more refined, and more delicious. Visit one of VIBE’s partners and enjoy a delicious meal (they even offer wonderful sandwiches to take away for a picnic or other event). — Reservations recommended.
Les Cabannes:
Aster
Opening for Sunday lunch in June was a great decision, now there are even more hours where you can enjoy their fabulous meals provided by chef/owner Josh Spacek and his impressive team.
Aster not only serves wonderful modern French cuisine, they also get creative at times! Whether that’s catering to the palates of their regular customers, or providing season appropriate dishes, whenever they veer off the culinary Champs-Elysées, you can guarantee it’s going to be equally amazing.
Chef/Owner Josh, being American has had amazing Burger Weeks…
(The verdict is still out as to has the best burgers in town, Aster Restaurant, or Niko and family at Umami World Street Food… hint, BOTH ARE DELICIOUS)!
This past spring we, the lucky ones, got to sample his astounding ramens, which I was told took several days of preparation.
Having eaten Ramen around the world, this was the best I have ever had!
Josh and his incredible team at Aster primarily use locally sourced ingredients, serve a well-curated wine list and offer up delicious desserts. There is so much to recommend about Aster — Les Cabannes.
Come hungry, you are going to love their Modern French cuisine, and all the other great dishes you might encounter.
Be sure to visit the charming covered terrace, especially in the evening when it’s lit with white fairy lights. This is a great way to enjoy a delicious meal next to the village stream. — Reservations recommended.
Au Jardin des Saveurs, says this about their restaurant on their website…
A creative, gourmet cuisine and a welcome with a smile. The restaurant is open from Tuesday evening until Sunday noon. Discover our menu with the dishes of the month invented by our chef Joffrey who transforms local products into succulent dishes on site. We also provide you with a pool table in the dining room.
This was the review I left recently on their Facebook page, having had several delicious meals there…
Having visited this wonderful restaurant several times, I can say everything was faultless; from the charming garden, to the excellent attentive service, to the delicious food, all excellent. Michelin quality without the hefty bill/check/L’addition… what could be better.
VIBE 81 recommends you make a reservation at Au Jardin des Saveurs, for a meal you won’t forget. You may choose to go for a special occasion, like a birthday, anniversary, or that very special date, being one of the pricier restaurants in the area, but perhaps you just enjoy a really good meal in a charming setting.
Bon Appétit!
La Maison The local café of Les Cabannes (formerly Le Petit Café), which opened this summer is now so popular that it opens at 7:30 am for coffee and pastries. Come and enjoy a delicious traditional lunch at a fixed price served from Monday to Friday. — Reservations Essential.
Don’t miss the next village aperitif/music evening in conjunction with La Passeggiata, located next door in the former bar of Le Petit Café and be entertained by the live group. (August 6)
La Passeggiata offers a special pizza of the week, call to inquire.
Apart from their great pizza they also prepare the delicious plates for the village aperitif/music evening in conjunction with La Maison, that handles the drinks. (Note: On August 6, the pizza ovens will take a nap)!
VIBE 81 Recommendations for the Saturday Farmers’ Market!
This month is a mystery, a treasure hunt. Find a vendor in the middle of the market who sells delicious treats from the Middle East and the Mediterranean;
There is a table with olives, nuts, tapenade, paella and sweet treats from North Africa and beyond. Tell them that the Englishman Francis sent you on VIBE 81 and maybe you’ll get a treat. Just maybe!
If you like what you find in these places, please tell them that VIBE! sent you.
(All links will lead you to the merchants, to make a reservation, place an order or inquire about new products).
Author of The Month (August): Chioma Okereke
By Georgina Maynard
Chioma Okereke is a Nigerian poet, author and writer. Her first novel, “Bitter Leaf,” was selected for the 2011 Commonwealth Writers Prize — Best First Book in Africa.
“Rare is the book that enlightens as much as it entertains”…
Chioma Okereke’s novel “Bitter Leaf”, a story of love, loss and family ties, set in the imaginary village of “Mannobe” in Africa, has received much praise from critics.
Her latest English novel “Water Baby” was published in April this year.
Chioma was born in Nigeria, and her new teenage story takes place in the real “Makoko” settlement in Lagos.
As the title of the novel suggests, Makoko is a settlement built on water and “Water Baby” describes the life-changing events of its main character, “Baby”. Baby” aspires to a future different from that which her father has planned for her.
Author Emma Stonex states “Rare is the book that illuminates as much as it entertains, beautifully imagined and full of characters to love”.
Chioma took this community to heart. So much so that she has now set up a website, makokopearls.org, to raise funds for the people of this informal village, most of whom do not have access to basic amenities.
(Editors Note: If you want to support Chioma in supporting Makoko click the photo caption to go to her website for more information. If you know enough and want to donate already click this link. — Thank-You)
“Water Baby” is a nice and provocative reading that I highly recommend…
Her two novels are available in bookstores and on Amazon, as a Kindle book, as a paperback and on Audible.
— Georgina Maynard
Artist of The Month (August): Jennifer Reynolds
Jennifer Reynolds is an artist, entrepreneur, and founder of the art school “The Art Club” in Edinburgh. She specializes in large landscapes and architectural pieces.
By Jennifer Reynolds
Dear Readers,
I would like to introduce myself, my name is Jennifer Reynolds, I am an artist, teacher and entrepreneur. Thirty years ago I started a private art school in Edinburgh called “The Art Club”, which is now thriving and keeps me very busy. Painting is also my passion, in addition to restoring our beautiful old farm near Cordes-sur-Ciel
This year, I will be presenting my enthusiastic clients in Cordes for the first time by organizing art retreats in our beautiful place. I am very keen to encourage my clients to explore this part of France and meet the artists who live there.
“I am inspired by the Moroccan Casbahs and the mountains of the Highlands”.
For my own work, I create large architectural and expressive oil paintings, from the Moroccan Casbahs to the vast misty mountains of the Highlands. My latest orders are layered landscapes, softer and more provocative seascapes with points of light to guide the viewer.
Living near Cordes provides such a wealth of inspiration and access to so many talented local artists. I am honored to discover and share their stories with you, here as the art editor of VIBE 81.
Next month I’ll share with you a wonderful artist from Les Cabannes, who has a studio in Cordes; Pascale Kutner!
-Jennifer Reynolds
For all things music, you have a few choices this month.
Brasserie Auros, has five groups/groups every weekend in August but you will also find other events, musical evenings and afternoons around the city. Le Jardin de Paradis, S. Callipyge (who hosted the swing group Newport Swing Band (above) in July have another swing group coming soon (check their facebook page for more details).
Please forgive the brevity of this section this month as I am looking for a music editor.
(September Editor’s Note: Moving this newsletter to Medium, will free up a lot of time to provide you, the reader, with a much more comprehensive music column. Being overly ambitious with the launch of VIBE 81 I took on more work than I could handle. We Learn…)
Cordes-sur-Ciel had two big events in July, the “Fêtes médiévales du Grand Fauconnier” which has been running for about 50 years, which is followed by the towns Classical Music festival, which has been running several years longer.
The Classical Music festival doesn’t have any specific name attached to it and is just called “The Music Festival”. I guess 50 years ago with no competition, no other name was thought necessary. After all why mess with tradition!
While technical start-up problems prohibited full coverage of these events, rest assured we will bring complete coverage in 2025, for those of you still with us!
Meanwhile enjoy these images from this year’s Fêtes médiévales du Grand Fauconnier to whet your appetite for next year’s “Don’t Miss” event.
Le Colombier; Our professional theatre in Les Cabannes does not have any performances in August.
However, a number of local villages in the area have events shows.
The Firemen’s Ball is a must-see event, that the locals love. This event is held annually to honour our local heroes, and this year it will be held at the football stadium on Saturday, August 3. The event which serves as a fund-raiser for the fire department, will have a traditional meal, and a DJ to provide the musical entertainment. Guaranteed to be a “Hot Time”!
Once again please forgive the brevity of this section this month as I am looking for a Spectacle editor. There was interest, but nothing confirmed in time to go to press.
(September Editor’s Note: This was one of the deciding factures in moving this newsletter from Mailchimp to Medium).
We hope you enjoyed this next edition of VIBE, despite its short length, and that you found some of its content useful.
We appreciate your comments and suggestions in our quest to be the best resource of culture and gastronomy of Cordes.
With many apologies, due to technical problems, the July issue only went to press on August 1.
We are working to expand our coverage of cultural and culinary topics. Since we made the decision to move this newsletter to Medium, future editions will have links to more articles and interviews relevant to our mission. Our interviews can be found on the main page of the VIBE 81 publication. Linked here.
As I said last month…
“Rome was not built in a day”!
To those of you who are new here, or those who have already joined this endeavour, a heartfelt thanks, for your understanding and patience, as we strive to be bigger, better, and more comprehensive..
Francis Bradford
Editor and Publisher
francis@vibe81.fr
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