PARIS, OCTOBER 2005—THAT SAME OLD FEELING!

We’re back after an 18 month absence and in many ways it feels just like coming home! After a week, we’ve barely gotten over our jet lag so it’s comforting to know our way around, at least in this neighborhood. For Paul there was the excitement of having that fresh crusty French bread; for me the prospect of an Amarone ice cream made my mouth water. So far, we’ve satisfied both these urges.

Being in Paris and staying in the same apartment on rue, L’Abbe Gregoire has meant a very quick re-entry. We know were everything is, how it works and where to go to get the essentials. The important thing for me is the nearby market, just down the street, and so on Sunday I headed off to get the fixings for our first home cooked meal. I never have a definite shopping list in mind because I like to see what’s available and make my decisions based on what looks good. The cepes (porcini mushrooms) are plentiful at this time of year so the menu went something like this:

Fresh fruit and cheeses to start (the French would never serve this course first)
Rabbit in white wine with shallots and cepes
Vegetable Couscous (with more cepes) Green garden Salad
Fresh berries with yogurt

As you’ve probably guessed, food is one of the major draws for us especially at this time of year when restaurants are serving incredible varieties of seasonal sea food, shell fish and the game—oh la la!

We delight in the variety of produce, meat and poultry in the shops and the markets and wonder how long the French government and the EU for that matter will be able to sustain the subsidies that make this possible. We hope it lasts for our life time.

Yes, it’s great to be back. We’ve enjoyed revisiting a few old favorite restaurants and have discovered that sometimes the memories are better then the real thing. Tomorrow is Sunday and we’re off to Benoit for a traditional Sunday Lunch. The last time we ate there it was with friends Sheila and Joe and the meal was incredible.

For our Canadian friends, we hope you enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving and to all, bon appetite.

A bientot—Chris & Paul (October 15, 2005)

Note: The man in the picture is at a local market each week demonstrating the effectiveness of his magical ‘salts’ which he claims can cure any number of ailments. One year I bought a pkg. but have yet to make use of it.