Australia Day!

It felt weird to not be having a bbq or drinks somewhere with friends today.

I had "googled" to see if there was anything happening in Paris but the only option was at Cafe Oz and another function that had already been on the day before!  I had a feeling that Cafe Oz would be filled with wild young things partying hard, which, sadly, I am a bit past, plus, I realised that I can celebrate this day in Australia every year, so perhaps "going French" was the best option.

It was only Monique and I as Peter was in Dubai and Guillaume at his Mum's.  As it was after the "Nespresso" journey, I had already poured a red wine to warm myself up and to get into the spirit of things.  It did have the effect of making me want to snuggle on the couch and watch TV and not go anywhere ... that's pretty Australian isn't it??

When Monique got home from work (which is usally late if she does the afternoon shift) she got me moving and we dressed and left.  I work high heels, MISTAKE on cobble stones and with lack of practice and when you are walking  dinner!!

The restaurant is Mi Chemin and thankfully, due to high heels, it wasn't too far from home :)

It was really cosy and looked perfect.  I ordered a caraffe of natural red wine, which was yummy and then we got onto the menu.

Monique chose a Snail & Kidney Stew, I know what your thinking and I opted for the Terrine .... they gave me the whole jar of cornichons and pickled onions .... clearly they don't know me!!  Now I have to admit that I tried the snail and kidney stew and it was good.  I am under instruction to "try everything" while I am here, especially if I am to be cooking for a living, even thought I am not a chef!!  I think if you didn't know what was in there, you'd think it was something else.  Which, could be a good thing, if you are not from France.









                              
Terrine is on the left, stew is on the right!

Next was main course, I chose Pork Cheeks with Penne and Monique the Shepherd's Pie, which also came with a green salad and foie gras.  Both were really good, but the Pork Cheeks did it for me, even if I kept imagining a pork piggy somewhere with a disfigured face!!

Now before dessert, Monique and I were chatting about my lovelife .... bit like the Sahara Dessert .... and she suddenly looked at me and then to the side saying "Helen, Helen", I thought there was a gigantic spider or bug on the wall which was right near my head, but it was a cat on the bench at the next table!!

Me checking for spiders in my hair!!






Anyone who knows me well, is aware that I love animals, but I have a special affection for cats, so I was in heaven.  I love the fact that in France you are allowed to walk animals everywhere, they are in supermarkets, restaurants, hair dressers.  It is so much more relaxed!Needless to say, I had to call the cat (cha) over and have a little cuddle.  I cannot remember his name, but at the time was calling it in my rediculous French and he came. 

We ordered our dessert .... chocolate pots .... so good, but too much after the other two courses, we had to leave them hardly touched. Shame they didn't do take away .....


The cat slept beside me until we had to go.  Unfortunately, he was also sleeping on Monique's scarf for a short time before I pulled it out from under him and she is allergic to cats.

We hadn't wandered more than a few metres from the restaurant before they started.  Poor darling was a wreck by the time we got home .... stupid crazy, cat woman!! Luckily an antihistamine and some Bio Oil did the trick and by the next morning she was back to her beautiful self.  Thanks God ... as my brother says!!

All it all, a lovely Australia Day and one I will remember.  I am hoping to go back to that restaurant before I leave .... might have to have a table on my own with the cat though :)