Sorry about the delay in my posts but since I've been home I've been swamped with everyday life and catching up after being gone for 3 weeks. I think I'm now in the place to finish up this trip.
Friday the 15th
We wandered around Passy and then went to the Trocadero and Eiffle Tower, which was a huge disappointment as you can't even get close without standing in a long line to get through the fenced off area around the tower. The area fenced off is much larger than I thought it would be and really detracts from the iconic tower. Then we went to lunch at the very new Les Grands Verres in the Palais de Tokyo. The restaurant is actually two restaurants; the first colorful and casual with a serve yourself buffet (the food all looked very appetizing) and the second a regular restaurant in a very large, bright room with floor to ceiling windows and several tables serving larger groups of six, eight or ten. We split the mussels for an entree and they were very good but not at all what you expect when you order mussels in France. They were in a brown broth with a strong celery flavor and thin slices of celery throughout with a slightly hot after taste. Served with them was an avacado toast and there were more than enough mussels for two people. For our main dishes, Leas had buccatini with trumpets of death mushrooms (she is still with us) and I had meatballs. There were three good sized pork meatballs served in a bowl with a tomato sauce. They were served with a very large, long piece of toasted baguette with a mound of a whipped butter to spread on it. We thought the food was all very good and the room is very pleasant and comfortable. After lunch we walked over to Avenue and Suare Rapp to see the art nouveau doors by Lavirotte; really quite amazing. We walked rue Cler, a major shopping street where we picked up a Praululine at the Chocolatier Pralus. Leas read an article that said it was life changing and, although I wouldn't go that far, it is something I will really miss. It's a pastry made with brioche and studded throughout with pink candy bits and nuts. We ended up eating a slice for breakfast almost every day and we each brought one home with us to share with our families. We purchased a Food Passport which allows you to go to 6 or 12 different food spots for a tasting or sample and explanation of the shop by an employee or the owner. Today we made it to 4 of the spots where we tasted wine, callisons, caramels and meringues and met some interesting people who gave us the history of their food. After a short time back in the apartment we went over to Sainte Chapelle for a concert, performed by a string sextet. It was a beautiful classical concert and is so impressive to hear the music in that beautiful building. Walked across the Seine to Zimmer, a traditional old brasserie on the right bank. I had a bowl of onion soup and Leas had a potatoe salad with salmon. The food isn't outstanding but the red velvet and gold interior takes you back to the 40's and the food is good. Back to the apartment and to bed.
