Plus Amis

A mixture of visiting Americans and local French friends made our time this year so enjoyable.  It's wonderful to show Americans aspects of our European life, and also to share with French friends details of our stateside lives.  Sue Conway came to sample the gastronomic offerings in Paris first.

An in-depth guided visit to Notre Dame was illuminating.

Sue was excited to hand pick lunch items from Bon Marché

Dining at Grand Vefour was a treat.  They claim to be the first actual fine restaurant in Paris.  Jean Vefour was a cook in an aristocratic mansion prior to the Revolution.  When the nobility fled, he was left without employment.  Solution - create a public dining establishment.  Thus was born the restaurant as opposed to local taverns.

Sue headed to Amboise next.  As we strolled down the street, we spied a poster in a store window of the Royal Chateau shot through our own flower garden.  We met the photographer who gifted us with a print.

One of her last culinary adventures was a meal at La Roche de Roy.

Sue's conversion to being French was complete by the end when she ambled through the farmer's market.  We were so proud of Sue being able to navigate solo the travel with all her luggage intact to and from Europe.

A journalist friend Ron met in French class invited us over to her home for Raclette.  Somewhat like fondue, you dip offerings in various melted cheeses.  The French consume so much cheese that in most fine restaurants it is a separate course.

A local eatery displays local artists.

Our theatrical friends Denise and Jack came over for movie night.

We spent a full day and evening with Erica Peresman and David Jaffe and their daughter, Mara, in Paris.  Mara was engaged in an internship at Café de la Paix for the summer.  She gave us her professional review of Chez Les Anges.  Of course, Erica and David are quite well informed on gastronomic offerings themselves.

Ron passed the time in a Paris boutique while Barbara shopped.

Lola too passed the time.

Our dear friends, next door neighbors and landlords, Christiane and Franco took us to a nearby town to have dinner at another old mansion converted to a restaurant and inn.

By now you must realize we have to take drastic action to avoid gaining weight after all these fabulous meals.