Food, wine, & those rude French

Already it has been two weeks since we arrived in Lyon! We have eaten, mostly lunches, in a number of small restaurants, sampled 10 or 12 inexpensive, mostly red, bottles of wine, and tried to unwind after five hectic and tumultuous years. Everything has been easy except the last. Oh, well – we’ll just keep practicing.


Most of the wines have been between two and eight euros [about $2.50- $10] and some have been of amazing quality. It should be fun when we occasionally try a more expensive [$20-$40] bottle.


The other day we went to the Museum of the Resistance and Deportation [very heavy stuff – more later]. Before going into the museum, we decided we were hungry and went into a small [15-25 seats w/small patio out back] restaurant. It appeared to be a husband and wife affair, where all the items were listed on a chalk board, no paper menu. There were several items David was not familiar with so when Madame came to take our order, he asked about them in French. She spoke essentially no English and since we were trying to find out about things we knew nothing about, the conversation was difficult. Madame solved it by taking down one of the blackboards and walking us through each item in careful French, with occasional English words thrown in. Everyone was polite, cheerful, and helpful. The food was delicious. A huge salad with melon, artichoke, ham, absolutely fresh lettuce, olives, etc., etc., for Anna, and fish fillet with tomato coulis, dauphinois potatoes, and green beans for David, and three glasses of wine.. Price? All of $23 Euros – about $29. Of, course in France, there is no additional 15-20% tip – one leaves small change behind is the usual method.


Could get tough to leave next year.