One evening on the Seine...
Apr 9, 2009 3:35:25 GMT
Post by Jazz on Apr 9, 2009 3:35:25 GMT
September, 2005....I had been in Paris for three beautiful weeks and felt the urge to have dinner on the Seine, but, I wanted to be out of the centre, perhaps on an island? Pariscope, the great weekly magazine for 'what's on in Paris' talked about "La Guinguette de Neuilly' on Ile de la Jatte. Perfect.
www.lechaletdesiles.net/
(click on the lower left box)
It was late afternoon, with hot yellow sun and turquoise sky. I took the metro to the end of the line. I hopped off and began the long walk. I had never felt any desire to visit Neuilly before this...from my readings it seemed only to be a wealthy upper middle class suburb...not at all 'me'. Address in hand, I walked and walked and walked, about three kilometres. Yes, it was well to do, but it was also very, very beautiful and lovingly cared for. With each step, I had only to look to the left and see the Seine, the boats, the boathouses and the docks. Beautiful. It smelled beautiful. Finally I found the restaurant, but, I was too early. The waiter and I talked and although I hadn't reserved, there would be a place for me in the lovely terrace overlooking the water at 8PM.
8PM...two hours away. The light was exquisite, and I began to wander. A few blocks away, I stumbled across the dying moments of the local flea market. Not much caught my eye, but I enjoyed myself. Then, I saw IT! For years in Toronto I had wanted a cream enamel French tin pitcher, but they were disgustingly expensive, 100-200Euro. In Paris I searched and they were few and far between, and equally expensive. I gave up. I saw the pitcher as they were beginning to pack up and asked the price. A young boy, about 17, came to 'do the sale' and explained that it beonged to his grandmother who had lived in Lisieux....the price?, 15Euro. Here it is:
He carefully wrapped it for me and it was now time for dinner. I was welcomed and courteously seated on the beautiful terrace overlooking the Seine....the light was perfect, boats ebbed and flowed, there was a rich perfume of beautiful plants...I don't remember what I ate, I only remember that it was delicious, my waiter was wonderful and my neighbors at the next table graciously included me in their (our) dinner conversation. Fabulous...a night, 'out of time, out of place'. Dinner was 34Euro for entree, plat, dessert, coffee and a half bottle of wine. Unforgettable.
www.lechaletdesiles.net/
(click on the lower left box)
It was late afternoon, with hot yellow sun and turquoise sky. I took the metro to the end of the line. I hopped off and began the long walk. I had never felt any desire to visit Neuilly before this...from my readings it seemed only to be a wealthy upper middle class suburb...not at all 'me'. Address in hand, I walked and walked and walked, about three kilometres. Yes, it was well to do, but it was also very, very beautiful and lovingly cared for. With each step, I had only to look to the left and see the Seine, the boats, the boathouses and the docks. Beautiful. It smelled beautiful. Finally I found the restaurant, but, I was too early. The waiter and I talked and although I hadn't reserved, there would be a place for me in the lovely terrace overlooking the water at 8PM.
8PM...two hours away. The light was exquisite, and I began to wander. A few blocks away, I stumbled across the dying moments of the local flea market. Not much caught my eye, but I enjoyed myself. Then, I saw IT! For years in Toronto I had wanted a cream enamel French tin pitcher, but they were disgustingly expensive, 100-200Euro. In Paris I searched and they were few and far between, and equally expensive. I gave up. I saw the pitcher as they were beginning to pack up and asked the price. A young boy, about 17, came to 'do the sale' and explained that it beonged to his grandmother who had lived in Lisieux....the price?, 15Euro. Here it is:
He carefully wrapped it for me and it was now time for dinner. I was welcomed and courteously seated on the beautiful terrace overlooking the Seine....the light was perfect, boats ebbed and flowed, there was a rich perfume of beautiful plants...I don't remember what I ate, I only remember that it was delicious, my waiter was wonderful and my neighbors at the next table graciously included me in their (our) dinner conversation. Fabulous...a night, 'out of time, out of place'. Dinner was 34Euro for entree, plat, dessert, coffee and a half bottle of wine. Unforgettable.
