Lunch with Author Genevieve Paulson and Friends

Although Ana's friend and author Genevieve was only in Paris for a whirlwind week, while Sharon and Roger were in Paris for a whirlwind 2 weeks, we were all literally blessed to have shared an afternoon of conversation and insights with Genevieve at La Gazzetta Restaurant.

Sharon, Genevieve, Ana and Roger

Roger, me and "Belle mom".

For a taste of our conversation, check out Books by Genevieve!

A Night I Almost Forgot

[Conversation with Friend 1]:
"No, you didn't see me last night, it was the night before." a friend explained to me.
"Ah yes, it was two nights ago." I remember.

[Conversation with Friend 2]:
"I saw you when you finished working, yesterday. Remember" I told another friend.
"Oh no, it wasn't yesterday, it was the night before." my friend corrected me.

[Conclusion]:
I thought for a while longer. "Ah yes, of course it wasn't yesterday, I was out with a few friends yesterday."

Yesterday is the day I almost forgot about, luckily I did have a few photos in my camera to remind me, that we must have had fun!

Party (Inside)

A Few New Friends

Party (Outside)

More New French Friends

Internationals Host Benoit

...and still a few more friends.

Excellent Food

Actually, I (almost) clearly remember the laughter, excellent food, good conversations and new friends at the Quartier Latin Ristorante-Bar-Pizzeria.(1 rue Mouetard, 75005)
There was also wonderful pizza and pasta (not pictured) all night long!

Just Dessert

How could I forget to post the most important photos of any breakfast, lunch or dinner in Paris?
Dessert of Course.

(Hmm, I wonder if it would be a worthy project to sample, photograph and blog about just desserts of Paris. It would take a lifetime, but could be a worth project.

From last week, here's our photos of Dessert at Bar du Central, which is always a treat on a Sunday afternoon or any day for that matter.

Creme Brulee

Cafe Gourmand

Bar du Central in the 7th Arrondissement, is one of my favorite little cozy places at 99 rue St Dominique. The wait staff are super friendly, portions are (in my opinion) pretty large, and every dish I've had so far, which is nearly every Sunday, has been wonderful.

Bon Appite, if you ever go!

My Best Kept Secret -- Bar du Central

Almost every Sunday after church, (it's become somewhat of a ritual) we get together to talk about our life issues, goals, hopes, dreams, (men) and plans for the future. One of our favorite places to eat is Bar du Central (Just around the corner from the American Church in Paris...and always open for a late lunch after the 1:30 Service).

We're still counting down Chef Robbin's last few days (2) remaining in Paris.  

"Cheers, to Beginning a New Chapter Soon!"

Florence and Chef Robbin

One of my Favorite things to do in Paris, and Bar du Central is one of the best places to do it.

I was craving chicken. This was better than I expected.

"Delicious!" said Chef Robbin.

Bar du Central is one of my "Best Kept Secrets" of a Sunday Afternoon.

A Farewell Lunch

After spending a few years in Paris, our good friend "Chef Robbin" as I like to call her will be returning to the States to start another adventure in life.

We're going to miss her nuttyness. (she really is a hilarious nut case), She's also one of the most creative people I've met in Paris. She's a chef, a painter/artist, jewelry maker, master knitter, photographer and an instructor. Possibilities are endless when she returns to the states.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, that she'll be back in Paris to continue her dream soon.

Florence, Robbin, Ana-Maria 

Paris Tea House - Je' the Aime

Entrees (Starter) of Ana Maria

Entrees (Starter) of Florence

Entrees (Starter) of Robbin

Another wonderful afternoon of laughter, good converstaion and friends who's personallities are as creative as their choice of starters at this fabalous restaurant. The 1,001 thing I love about Paris (actually I've lost count). 

Taking a Chance

Tonight, while having drinks, I've decided to take a chance on him...(again).
then we shared a wonderful dinner at Le Fumoir.

Cozy wonderful cafe restaurant

 Steak Tartare (Raw Filet Mignon)

On this night of taking chances, we were served Steak tartare as the chef's amuse brouche. It would be considered rude to send back the raw steak or not to eat it, so for the first time, we both experienced the taste of steak tartare with a small piece of toast and a tiny sliver of lettuce...the best way to take a chance on this delicacy. 

Falling in love with Paris all over again.

 

Last Night Dinner at Chez Michel

Ah, at last, my blog is a true reflection of my life, which is now one day behind the real world. I actually did the laundry (Monday's posting) over the weekend, and today's post is about dinner last night with Eric, a kind and patient French gentleman. Sometimes I wonder how am I so lucky to meet such wonderful people?

Yesterday afternoon, his text appears on my phone:
"Hi Florence. I've booked seating for 9:30. I'll take you at Lutece."

I understand, he will meet me after my French Lessons at the Language School end at 9Pm, for 9:30 dinner reservations.

Our class runs slightly overtime, as another student and I rush out the front door of the school, we're both surprised by the evening rain. I'm not sure why it made us laugh at the same time, as we went our separate ways, but Eric was waiting there as promised.

We greeted with a kiss on both cheeks and began to walk. "How was your day?" I asked. "Oh, my work is complicated and technical. I don't want to talk about my work." he replied with an anguished look on his face.
I love the nuances of French culture that I must adjust to sometimes. I immediately think of Pierre telling me, "If I want you to know how my day is, I will tell you. But don't ask me what I do."

I wonder if all French men are so complex. Eric is much kinder than Pierre.

"Is the restaurant far?" I ask changing the subject.

We took the metro to Gare du Nord, for a wonderful evening at the Restaurant Chez Michel.

Chez Michel is the restaurant creation of Chef Thierry Breton, along with Chez Casimir right next door.
The restaurant is known for serving generous portions of well-prepared Breton dishes. Eric is also from Brittany France.

So far, there has been no better place for enjoying perfect, excellent, delicious French comfort food! This truly felt like a French restaurant where the French people go (no tourist in sight) for real French food. Answering my original question and the reason Eric and I experience wonderful French dinners together.

I am so grateful that he takes the time to walk me through these experiences with kindness and laughter.

"What did you learn in class tonight?" Eric wants to know over dinner.
I pull out a few of our lessons and he begins to explain the phrases I did not understand in class:

On se sent vraiment bien, ici. (It feels really good, here.)
How appropriate, that he explains a phrase I could use at that moment.

We laugh, talk, and enjoy a fabulous French meal, ending a great evening with more laughter as I point to a jar on the restaurant shelf and tell Eric, I thought the jar of crooked green beans were frog legs.
"They are not frog legs." Eric explains, "They are beans."
"But they are green." I protest. "They must be frog legs."
"Frog legs are not green when you eat them." Eric explains.

I don't know why that was the funniest statement, but who knew, "Frog legs are not green when you eat them."? (I don't eat them.)
We laughed as we left the restaurant.

Walking past Gard du Nord, "Wait, I have to take a picture!"

Fish Soup Starter

"Pour the Fish Soup from the big bowl into the small bowl." Eric explains just before I start to eat from the big bowl.
I pick up the ladle in the large bowl and pour a spoonful into the smaller bowl, half overflowing onto the table.
"Uh, I said into the small bowl." Eric reminds me with a smile.

Cheese tray after dinner. Dinner and conversation was so good I 'forgot' to take a photo of the main dish. (Delicious, fish and potatoes and salad. )

The restaurant feels Cozy, like having dinner in your French grandmother's kitchen.

A French Restaurant not filled with Tourist.

Dessert! Just out of the oven, Gingerbread, caramelized banana and cream.

A wonderful dinner at Chez Michel.