Lunch with a view - a gastronomic delight

Tuesday 08/05/2012 - After our late night we had a slower start to the day not waking till after 8.00am and we didn't have breakfast until nearly 10.00am. Afterwards we set out along our street to explore Paris.  A 15 min walk brought us to the Musee de l'Armee which was originally built for disabled soldiers by Louis 14th.  This was to be the first of many spectacular sights we saw for the day.
We crossed the road and came to the Pont Alexander across the Seine with it's 4 columns with gold statues of Cherubs, Nymphs and Winged Horses on top.   We could see why most people consider this the most beautiful bridge in Paris.  We crossed the bridge after taking particular notice of the many barges moored along side the walkway.  They are much larger than the canal boats we saw in England. 

A statue of Winston Churchill was the next sight we came across and right next door was the Petit Palace and over the road the Grand Palace which are now both Art Galleries.  We walked back home then enjoying the view from the bridge with the Eiffel Tower taking centre stage again.   Once home there was just time for a change of clothes as we were going to meet Cheryl and Shane from Melbourne for lunch at Le Jules Verne, a one star Michelin restaurant on the second level of the Eiffel Tower.  Shane had booked our table long before we left Melbourne and we had been looking forward to this day for a couple of months.

We met under the tower at 1.00pm and then avoiding all the tourist queues were taken by lift straight up to the restaurant.  What an amazing experience - the glass lift runs up the inside of the South pillar of the tower and as you ascend you can see the people climbing the stairs as they go up to the lookouts. Once inside we were taken to our table which was at the window overlooking a lot of the area we had walked past earlier this morning.  And much more of course.

The view was spectacular, the meal was magnifique and the company wonderful.  Cheryl and Shane had been in Paris for a few days after traveling through Italy for a couple of weeks.  There was lots to catch up on and we had a lovely time doing so.

Our 3 course meal was delicious, mine was Asparagus for Entree, Beef tornadoes and Duck Foie Gras for main and a Citron Tart and Lemon sorbet for desert.  All quite small dishes but throughout the meal there had been other items brought to the table. An appetizer of puréed Pumpkin and Peas layered with Creme Fraiche.  Tiny but delicious, little bread rolls, and then after desert a taster plate of mini cakes and macaroons.  Then chocolate and marshmallows with coffee.  We did try a macaroon and a little chocolate but had to give up on the rest as none of us could manage to fit another morsel in.  The most amazing food and a real once in a lifetime experience.

The waiters were wonderful as well and when Shane had booked he had mentioned that we were celebrating Cheryl's and my birthdays.  Hers on the 7th and mine on the 17th so when our deserts came to the table they had written Happy Birthday on the plates, (in French so we didn't understand it), and there was a candle in each of our lemon sorbets.  A very special little touch that we will both remember for ever.  We left our table at 4.00pm feeling like we would never need to eat again and as we picked up our coats we were handed a little package with 3 more little cakes inside.  Still haven't manage to even look at them yet!

Once back on the ground we caught a taxi back to their place and then walked around to the Cafe Panin opposite Notre Dame where we had very loose arrangements to meet another couple from Qld.  Once inside we had a couple of drinks over the next 2 hours but they had either come early and given up on us or decided not to come.  It didn't matter we had a great time and it was 7pm when we went our separate ways.

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Being so close to Notre Dame Bill and I decided to have a look while up this end of town and spent the next hour doing just that.  What an amazing sight, how these buildings were ever constructed all those years ago is just beyond imagination and the fact they are still standing and visited by millions every year is a testament to those builders of old.

We walked from there along the river taking in the many other grand buildings and bridges along the way before coming to the Louvre and of course we had to wander through there.  Again an absolutely awe inspiring building with its many courtyards and halls.  And the latest additions out the front add another aspect to it.  The glass pyramid made famous in The Da Vinci Code, is an interesting addition and certainly a very different style to everything else around it.  There are four pyramids in total along with the reflection pools and they kept the many tourist busy with cameras again.  A quick look at the small Arch at the entrance told us it was L'arc de Triomphe la Carousel and from there we could look right up the road past Concorde to see the real Arc de Triumph in the far distance.  Perhaps we'll get  there tomorrow. 

We headed for home them and continued to walk for another hour before collapsing into a cafe for cheese, wine and coffee before taking ourselves home to bed for the night.  We have had a truly magnificent day and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Goodnight all.