5/23/2006...14:25 a Paris
It is so nice to be in a place where actual face to face contact comes into play with each greeting. Is there anything here I don't like? And ordering an espresso just now at Café Francais facing Place de la Bastille, it comes with a wonderful piece of dark chocolate on the saucer...ah, civilization!
This morning started out perfectly. After last nights debauchery, it was the cure I needed to have eight hours of sleep. Woke up feeling refreshed, with one thought on my mind...oysters! Thanks to Monique and Kevin from Castagna for putting it there. Walked to my nearest Metro stop, stopping first at a wonderful patisserie/boulangerie for a buttery, incredible Douillon Poire. A superb piece of French goodness, buttery light pastry wrapped around sweetened chunks of pear. Like a sweet brioche with a pear filling. Finished it, licking the buttery residue off of my fingers with delight. Oh my god, it's happening again. And the day is just beginning. So made my way to the perfectly beautiful outdoor market on Place d'Aligre. And attached is the picturesque...inside anyway...Marché Couvert Beauvau. If you had any idea how hard it was to walk by the cheese vendors and not be able to partake. Torture!! This is the market where Kevin had some fresh oysters on one of his mornings on their recent trip to Paris. So in solidarity with my brother in food, I had to follow suit. A delicious half dozen Normandies found their way onto my small table.
Briny goodness. Crazy fresh and tasting like the sea. They don't get any better!
Time for a walk. The street activity here is amazing.
Scooters flying by, little Smart Cars, perhaps one of the cutest transportation vehilcles ever, whizzing by. Why don't we have them here in the U.S. ? It can't have anything to do with our President and his oil loving ways could it? Nah, that's crazy talk......
After much strolling, my tummy is telling me lunch is sounding very good. Wanting to keep internal harmony, I listen and make my way to Café de la Poste, just off Place de la Bastille on rue Castex in the 4th. This tiny hole in the wall is a find! Maybe twenty seats, one waitress, very friendly. I sat on the banquette, and when another customer comes in, that means you slide out, they slide in, and everyone is happy. Love it! And finally, after a looooong 24 hours in Paris without, I have my first fois gras! Wanna see?........

Now that is my idea of a salad before lunch! Ah, the fatttened goose. God bless them all for knowing how happy they make me. I followed this up with a plat du jour of Bouef Provençal. Simple, perfect, served with buttery fettucine on the side. Oh, and in case you're worried, a week before I left I had a complete physical and my cholesterol is way low. But thanks for worrying. I'm feeling your concern and I appreciate it! Two courses, two glasse of wine...a rosé and a Chinon "Vielles Vignes" for aboout $20...keep it coming! Okay, gotta run...I hear they have this big tall metal tower here that I haven't seeen yet...Ciao!