Sunday, March 13, 2005

Le Grand Colbert

Last night the babysitter came and we took my husband's aunt to dinner. A friend recommended a place, Le Grand Colbert (LGC), where she takes all of her out-of-town guests. LGC is one of those Parisian dining institutions. It has been around for so long, it has a good (not great) reputation for the food it serves, but it has all the Parisian ambiance you could want. LGC was also a location shoot for the recent movie "Something's Gotta Give" with Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton and Keanu Reeves. Remember when it is the birthday of Diane Keaton's character and they celebrate at a Parisian restaurant? Well it is LGC. Here is the director's clapboard movie prop, the only item in the restaurant regarding the movie.



When I saw the sign I told my husband I wanted to take a picture of it. He was not happy. He asked if I could wait until he was on his way out after dinner. Then he remembered (he has been gone for a week and has jet-lag, remember) that I have quite a one track mind about things and he worried I would be talking about the stupid movie prop all through dinner - it was staring at me begging me to take a picture. So he suggested I take a picture right then because the booth was empty (it was only 8:30 at this point well before *normal* dining time and the restaurant is filled only with tourists). I go take the picture (after I ask the restaurant staff) and the couple at the next table is staring at me (which actually does not bother me that much... I have my blog audience to worry about!) so I turn to them and say "tacky American" about myself in English. No surprise, they are English speakers (Canadian and American) too and start a conversation.

Them: Is that clapboard the only souvenir from the movie in here?
Me: I have never been here before, but it looks that way.
Them: Do you think the restaurant sells posters from the movie?
Me: You don't live around here, do you?

I return to the dinner with my husband and his aunt. His aunt and I have the 26 euro menu -- four courses. We both start with the Chevre chaud salade/Goat cheese salad followed with a piece of salmon in a cream sauce. She chooses the apple crumble and I choose the baba au rhum for dessert. All the food was fine, but not great. The flavors were passable, not memorable. My husband had a very bland onion soup -- a true disappointment. The only reason to go is the ambiance, but frankly there are many restaurants with wonderful decor AND wonderful food. However, the desserts were very good and I loved the presentation of the baba au rhum.



-- said Auntie M in Paris
4:51 PM

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