Wednesday 5 August 2015

Table d'hote



It was the last day of our holiday in France where we had made friends with another couple and planned our last evening out with them at a cafe in the Latin quarter.

We had made no reservation but just wandered the crowded streets hoping to find one with the right local feeling about it.

Eventually down a dark back street we could see some beckoning lights and the chatter of customers seated outside.

We went on in and requested a table for four as the owner looked at his wife and she cocked her head at him and shrugged for clearly they we nearly full.

We were escorted to an empty table in a room that overlooked a side street and offered menus but told of the table d'hote which was inclusive of a bottle "vin ordinaire". 

We all nodded agreement to that choice and the owners wife seemed pleased too at our selection for everything was prepared already and we were the type of customers that she liked.

It was the best meal I had had in a long time for the food, the wine, the service and the general atmosphere of eating with the locals was excellent and an experience that has remained with us for many years,


Image found at www.paris-paris-paris.com 

12 comments:

  1. I loved dining in a Paris bistro. The best plans are the ones that are spur of the moment, n'est pas? The ones without reservations.

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  2. The impromptu often the best alternative. This sounds like a perfect evening.

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  3. that was a brilliant experience! cheers and an excellent write!

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  4. Sounds like the perfect place.

    Thanks for visiting and for your kind comment.

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  5. How lovely! I've never been to Paris, but you describe it just how I would imagine it!

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  6. This was a fun arm chair visit.
    Just a few days ago, in California (were we were visiting) we met up with family to eat at an Irish pub.

    Thanks for visiting the piece I sent you the link to. I tend to collect feathers... Not sure why, but no eagle feathers yet.

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  7. nice work 'painting the picture' and conveying the sense of atmosphere… like many of the others, I haven't been to Paris…your story makes that seem more of a loss for me

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  8. Oh, your experience sounds so like one I had in Paris many, many years ago. We had gotten lost and while finding our way back to our hotel, we too found a small restaurant inhabited primarily by the locals. Good thing I spoke a little French!
    What an wonderful way to end your trip. Sounds like it was perfect :)

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  9. I've never been to Paris, but you described the scene beautifully. Great Six Sentence Story.

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  10. You brought Paris on monitor... A perfect trip adds to the sweetness of life!

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  11. Thanks for taking us all on a nice mental trip to Paris!

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