We walked to Hotel de Ville, ate at a Quick burger joint and headed back to the room. At least that’s how Gigi wanted to tell the story! Actually we walk over to the Hotel de Ville to use the telephone. We called Joan and asked for emergency suggestions. She sent us to Place Dauphine back on the island as it had several good choices. We walked over and found two that were open. One that went from the main street all the way into Place Dauphine and another one. We called Joan back and were told that the first one had good food and wine, and that they were very gracious. So we settled in.

Moulin Rouge (photo by Jim Carroll)

Had fun with the waitress. Her English was only a bit better than my French so we each spoke native language, but slowly and it worked. I would try French and she would try English. None of knew the fish in the other language. Bar roti was a mystery for a while. The chef got involved. Said it was an animal, then came up with wolf fish, which was no help. I've since learned that they have a fish they call loup de mer (a Mediterranean fish, sometimes called “bar” in French, which is somewhat similar to a striped bass,) but I don't know what it is. The matron of the restaurant came by and said bar is catfish, which is also an animal. It was in a spicy sauce so it made sense. There was one other fish that I don't recall that we had to figure out with a drawing on our napkin using the corkscrew as stylus. With some charades, I figured out it was flounder. The waitress wrote down her new words and we had a little celebration. Didn't order either one in the end, but....

Gigi had the entrecôte (beef rib steak) and I had the bar (sea bass). Both were really good. Had a bottle of Margaux in honor of e-Margaux.com (brownie points anyone?) and dessert. Was a good time. We made it home on the Metro without incident.

Not sure what happened with the reso. Either it was for the wrong day or they had something come up. I got the feeling it was a family restaurant. Maybe they had to close for personal stuff. It was also Armistice Day weekend, which seems to be taken fairly seriously in France. Thoughts anyone?

Eiffel Tower II (photo by Jim Carroll)

Got the girls back in the morning and caught the train to the airport. Tried to get coffee to go but it wasn't happening. I asked Ani if there was a place and she tried to send me to the cafe next door. I explained the “to go” concept, and she said, "Well, you can stand at the bar and drink it." Too much time in Paris; she didn't understand the idea of Starbucks.

I found a grocer with Coke Light and grabbed some snacks. Also picked up a flask of Ricard. The combination amused the grocer. He didn't even bother to try French with me. He looked at my choices and went straight into English! Those damn ugly Americans…

We made it to Charles de Gaulle painlessly and then began the long trip home. Twenty two hours later, all spent awake by me, we were home in time for work and school. All in all, it was an excellent trip. The kids want to go back. Gigi wants to do it for our 20th anniversary for a week or more. I'm all over the idea.

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