I've had some great food experiences recently: dinner chez my Dutch friend Sjoerd (from superior class); dinner at Le Hide - a fabulous restaurant in the 17th run by a Japanese chef who trained under Joël Robuchon; dinner round at H's for her birthday last week; a fondue night at Le Refuge des Fondues in Montmartre where they serve wine in baby bottles; several market trips; and a visit to the world-famous Poilâne bakery where you can buy a very cool bread box for a cool 244€.
Our class dinner at L'Atelier Maître Albert however - "a restaurant with Guy Savoy" - was disappointing. The amuse bouche of tiny grilled mussels on cocktail sticks had bits of shell and dirt in them and the chilled tomato soup tasted just like Heinz. The cod with herb mash was very good, if a bit basic, and the lamb shanks, while perfectly cooked, could have done with some figs or prunes or similar to sex up the sauce. Not really what you'd expect from a restaurant with links to a Michelin starred chef (actually, chefs aren't awarded Michelin stars, their restaurants are, but let's not split mussel beards).
***
H is determined to be fluent in French by the time she leaves Paris in five weeks - which for someone starting from scratch and who sounds as if she's convulsing when she speaks it - will require a miracle of biblical proportions. She's started reading children's books, the French equivalent of Janet and John, and she likes someone, anyone - me, J, waiters, shop assistants, unsuspecting passengers on the Metro - to read words out to her to help her with the pronunciation. So I spent an excruciating 20 minutes in a posh coffee shop in chic St-Germain-des-Prés last week, reading Jeanette et Jean: Allons-y jouer (let's go and play) aloud.
This badgering even continues in class. I'm pretty focused in our practicals and don't like to engage in idle chitchat, so I'll be concentrating on filleting a lemon sole or making a brunoise of carrots when I'll look round and see H through a haze of smoke, leaning casually against the wall admiring her nails, and she'll say: "Mate, how do you say in French, my saucepan's on fire?"
Strewth!
We have our written exam in just under two weeks so I'm going to have to knuckle down and start studying - which means no time for frivolous blogging I'm afraid.
Strewth!
We have our written exam in just under two weeks so I'm going to have to knuckle down and start studying - which means no time for frivolous blogging I'm afraid.
11 comments:
Whilst most of this is true and in fact it must be much worse than S reports because one day she told me she was so frustrated by my continual questions that she was about to eat her arm off!!
In defence, I never, never gaze at my nails and I call people mon ami rather than mate while in Paris.
If there is anyone out there who would like to be my French penpal please reply.
a toute a l'heure or as we Aussie say - toot a loot.
Study away my friend. I'm sure the rest of us will wait until you have some free time.
Strewth! - now there's a word you don't hear much anymore. ;-)
Poilane is a great place for bread, but a box for 244E sounds funny! Are they kidding!
Can;t believe the food at Maitre Albert was that bad~ Wow!
Janet, Thanks for your support.
tasteofbeirut - If you click on the link there, at the bottom of the home page you can view the box - and it is pretty cool. Maybe not 244€ worth though.
Heather - You know I'm only kidding about the "badgering". Don't stop. You wouldn't be the same if you didn't!
That sounds like a wonderful experience.
Study hard and Good luck!
Missing your very entertaining blog!
I hope Heather has, or will have soon, a blog of her own.
Come on! we are waiting for your next blog!
When are you going back?
I stumble up on Scotch Eggs on twitter and than went to your blog.
I admire your passion and plus when you wrote about Le Refuge des Fondues in Montmartre which took me back 1974 (when I was student)I said to myself we have to keep in touch.
The only thing I'm in Florida!!
JUlia
hulya5519@gmail.com
wow..
great - i visited poilane and loved their bread...nice to see their print again on your blog...also it is a lovely blog! thanks
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