Saturday, March 19, 2005

Lunch Ladies

A group of English speaking women from my school got together for lunch yesterday. A few weeks back I sat next to a chef at a dinner party. He was very charming and spoke English well so we had a nice conversation. At the end of the dinner party I told him I'd get a bunch of women together for lunch at his place (he doesn't do dinner because the restaurant is located in a business area so he focuses on the lunch crowd -- also then he gets to spend time with his family).

We get to the restaurant and have a table ready right in the middle of the place. The chef comes out shortly and chats warmly with the two of us who were at the dinner party with him. He talks about the pictures on the wall, one of which is a blown up picture of his father and friends, in black and white, enjoying a meal in some country setting in France. You feel like you're visiting his home. He asks what we want to eat... fish, meat.. and the women tell him something "light."

First there was the amuse bouche... and my mouth was amused with the fresh flavors. It was a puree of cucumber, tomato and red pepper with some seasonings. It was similar to a gazpacho where you can taste all the fresh flavors of the vegetables and fruit. It was served in a coffee cup.


This was followed by a beautiful sliced monkfish, lightly cooked with slices of something like prosciutto with a side of the most delicious fresh medley of vegetables...fresh onions, asparagus, green beans, parsley and lots of other veggies sliced into small pieces with a lime juice dressing... light, wonderful, and so tasty.


The previous portion was nice sized, so we were surprised when the main course came out.... a beautiful piece of lightly grilled sole (my favorite!) on top of a bed of noirmoutier potatoes (so tender -- try them next time you see them on the menu), baby artichokes, pieces of ham, fresh onions and some other items I probably missed. All the flavors just blend so nicely. No one, and there was a lot of food, left a single piece of anything on their plate.

What could be the ending of this wonderful meal? The lightest souffle I've ever had flavored with manzana verde liqueur (green apple). No one left a delicious crumb. This was one of those memorable meals.

Where was this little gem....La Poêle d’Or.

-- said Auntie M in Paris
8:59 PM

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