Monday, February 4, 2013

365 Inspirations—35: French Food

"After one taste of French food ... I was hooked. I'd never eaten like that before, I didn't know such food existed. The wonderful attention paid to each detail of the meal was incredible to me..."—Julia Child

 Okay, I don't know much about France or French Food, but I feel this is a place I have to visit. Particularly Paris. My agent recently informed me that my book accompanied my foreign agent in London to Paris. She was headed there for a book event and planned to talk to some editors and publishing houses about selling the foreign rights of Lessons from the Monk I Married to France. Croatian and Complex Chinese foreign rights have already been sold, so I can expect to see my book in both Croatian and Chinese, but French would be nice to add to the mix.

So on Saturday, in honor of my book making it to France, my husband and I did something we normally don't do. We splurged and went out for a 3-course lunch at a phenomenal French restaurant located in the infamous Pike Place Market in Seattle. It was completely spontaneous. I actually had to break my Paleo diet rules for this one because there was no possible way I was not going to eat what they were serving.

The host said, "Bonjour Madame!" and lead my husband and I upstairs to a table with a view of Puget Sound and the ferry boats coming and going from the pier. It was so romantic. We both started with the French Onion Soup! Délicieux!

Then my husband had the beef cheek with potatoes and the tastiest gravy and green beans. It was cooked to perfection. I had the Penn Cove steamed mussels. Everything was so good!

Finally, they brought us out creme brulee and two cappaccinos for dessert and we stared out at the water in bliss.  The creme brulee was so delicious I wanted to lick the bowl. I hadn't had sweets for over a month and it felt good to treat myself. I know it was just a one-time spur-of-the-moment thing and I think it's good to be spontaneous sometimes.

All I could think about after our fantastic meal is that I need to go to France. Perhaps I will get an opportunity to go there on international book tour!

Have you ever had French food or been to France? Have you done anything spontaneous recently?


10 comments:

  1. Keeping my fingers crossed for a French book deal for you!! If it happens, I'll meet you in front of Shakespeare and Co. along the Seine across from Notre Dame! Hey, maybe Shakespeare and Co. will host a reading! French food...ah-h-h! It's heaven, n'est pas? I've never tasted fresh veggies like I buy from my neighbor here in France. And the cheeses....tres magnifique!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love your comment Evelyn! Yes, I'll meet you in front of Shakespeare and Co. along the Seine across from Notre Dame! I don't eat much French food, but this was superb!

      Delete
  2. Was this at Chez Shea? If so, it is one of the best dining experiences that I have ever had! From the wait staff to the food--just delish!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Laurie, it was actually Maximilien Restaurant just inside Pike Place Market, but now I'll have to try Chez Shea!!!! Can't wait!

      Delete
  3. How exciting for your book to be translated to French!

    I don't much about French food, but I have heard about the wonderful experience of eating a French meal. It sounds wonderful. I'm glad you and your husband enjoyed your special meal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Tina, Well, it hasn't sold to France yet, it just made it there with a foreign rights agent! I hope it does though! Then I'd have more than one reason to visit France!!!!!

      Delete
  4. Yes, I have been to Paris and eaten there. Also Italy. Pike Place Market is a pretty good second, though.

    Spontaneous? Yes. My husband and I just took checked-out pickle ball paddles down to the almost-dark court in the RV resort and learned how to hit the ball. We were all by ourselves, fortunately. Now I feel like I might venture out in the light of day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd love to go to Paris! I like that you and your husband did this—something you wouldn't normally do and something new! I think it's so important!

      Delete
  5. Aaaah, French food. :) I have yet to go to France, but there is something about the French: they know how to savor every morsel of life. They don't gorge themselves; they relish each bite, each flavor. I think most places in Europe do it 10,000,000,000x better than we do in the states. Go to Paris! Savor life! And until that happens, watch Ratatouille!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Amanda, I completely agree with you 100%. We should savor each morsel of life! Going to chec out Ratatouille.

      Delete