Paris (?)

After setting the stage yesterday, just to confuse you even more, before we launch (ha ha) into the barge trip itself, there are a few interesting (at least to us) things to relate about our couple of days in Paris.   As I said the hotel we were in was near Place de la Madeleine, in the First Arrondissement.   There are many lovely shops around, including the Fauchon I mentioned previously.  After our little rest in the room in the afternoon, room we decided to take a light(ish) dinner at one of the local places and chose Paris and London.

 

 

 

 

We ate inside for no particular reason (although smoking is banned there as opposed to outside) and were just charmed by the place

All the gentlemen servers were in white tux shirts, black suspenders, black tie (not bow) and a crisp white apron.  Just like any picture you see of a French Bistro.  They all went about their job with a smile and enthusiasm that you just don’t see elsewhere.  All the servers carried their trays at should heights, and mostly they never left their hands.  Negotiating the tables, customers, and other servers necessitated being nimble, which often resulted in swooping and almost performing a ballet.  Wonderful to watch… Our server was a young lady who had good English, and was so nice. I started with a martini and MFO chose a glass of Viognier.  The bottle of Viognier and my Martini were brought to the table as was

We finally considered the menu

After some debate, I chose the Duck Confit, and MFO, somewhat curious decided on the hamburger and fried egg .  The server said (I guess in deference to obvious carnivore Americans), these do not come with a bun – yes!!  We enjoyed our drinks and eventually the dancing tray brought

The egg and burger was, well, a burger with a perfectly fried egg atop, and the meat was done exactly as ordered.  My confit was very tasty as were the caramelized onions along side.  I am not sure of the heritage of the potatoes, they were okay, but sort of spoke of whatever Sysco is in France.  But the meal in the setting with the whirling servers in those outfits was just a great introduction to the French experience.  We were in France!

Paying the bill with a credit card is interesting..  instead of the American practice of taking your card to run it, they bring a little gadget to the table, swipe it there right in front of you and it spits out the thing for you to sign.  Somehow there is no way to add a tip to the bill which makes it kind of awkward for us Americans.  Also tipping doesn’t seem to be at the same levels as here.

Anyway we finished fairly early (7:15 or so) and walked around the perimeter of the Madeleine where besides Fauchon there were many interesting shops.  Only in Paris

 

 

Since we had another full day before boarding the barge, MFO got busy and found an interesting tour on the Canal St. Martin. Another taxi ride took us to the quay and the barge

What followed was a pleasant two hour journey through the heart of the city with many locks

 

 

And people watching us watching them

 

eventually winding up near the Place de la Bastille.

 

Since it was about noon we were feeling a little hungry and decided to take lunch at Café Francois near the Place.

 

 It turned out to be a little more upscale than our previous night’s dinner, and somehow we wound up at a table inside because the ones in the atrium were reserved or something.  I never did figure out why..  it was very chic décor and we did have a bit of trouble with our server language wise.  Although a glass of Chablis was accomplished with no trouble.  Since we were eating out that night at a fancy restaurant, we ate a little light, MFO got smoked salmon with cauliflower, broccoli bits and a lovely dressing.  and I decided on a Croque Monsieur.  Again, presentation was paramount

 

Have you ever seen a sandwich like this??  Had great ham and nice sharp cheese..

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a "kitchen store" store recommended by some good friends

 

Williams Sonoma it wasn't.  What a wonderful place, bin after bin of knives, racks of copper pans, equipment of every distinction.  There were several chefs in there rolling up huge tabs.   I got one little knife and an apron.  And no pictures..  hmmm.

After that, back to hotel to prepare for our only “big deal” dinner in Paris.  And of course we would have to be

 

DFD