Great story, Coach. It reminded me of a dinner we had at our neighborhood favourite when we lived in Brussels.
We had a friend visiting from the UK and spent a leisurely evening catching up with good food and drink. It was summer and the restaurant, housed in an old home, had set up tables in the garden.
It was approaching 11 pm when the owner/manager came out with a garden hose and started watering the plants.
We had already paid our bill, so we took the “hint” and started to get up to leave.
The owner called out, “Where are you going? I’m just watering the plants.”
Shortly afterward the server came out with a tray carrying three glasses of cognac.
“Relax and enjoy!”, stay as long as you wish.
We miss that kind of hospitality here, where sometimes restaurant bookings are time-limited and parking is only validated for ninety minutes.
While you’re waiting for your ship to come in, May I suggest you enjoy a home cooked steak frites, a glass of an ever so slightly chilled Bordeaux blend and practice singing Alouette. Happy weekend!
Agree with your sentiments here.
I have never had a bad experience in a brasserie or restaurant in France.
Good to hear, Angus. I know it’s possible, but I haven’t had a bad one either!
To get the best out of any brasserie or restaurant, I think you have to understand what they can offer vs what you want.
Folks entrenched in their perception of what it should be will come unstuck.
I took some American friends to a village restaurant in Provence. Dinner at 8….
Guess what?
They had a great time and the chef made a special menu for the kids who were served first. All fresh food.
Turns out it had a Michelin star too.
Great story, Coach. It reminded me of a dinner we had at our neighborhood favourite when we lived in Brussels.
We had a friend visiting from the UK and spent a leisurely evening catching up with good food and drink. It was summer and the restaurant, housed in an old home, had set up tables in the garden.
It was approaching 11 pm when the owner/manager came out with a garden hose and started watering the plants.
We had already paid our bill, so we took the “hint” and started to get up to leave.
The owner called out, “Where are you going? I’m just watering the plants.”
Shortly afterward the server came out with a tray carrying three glasses of cognac.
“Relax and enjoy!”, stay as long as you wish.
We miss that kind of hospitality here, where sometimes restaurant bookings are time-limited and parking is only validated for ninety minutes.
Love that hospitality.
Crap! Now I want to go to Paris and eat out in a French Brasserie.
I never get to travel. I don't get to see exotic places and can only imagine them in my head.
While you’re waiting for your ship to come in, May I suggest you enjoy a home cooked steak frites, a glass of an ever so slightly chilled Bordeaux blend and practice singing Alouette. Happy weekend!