CHEZ CHLOE

The River Café - London

Tonight Willie, Chloe and I had the pleasure to dine at the River Café in London. Well, it was a bit of a cab ride from central London – but well worth it. This was the 2nd of my birthday dinners this long weekend. Two big splurges for my 38th year. I rationalized the expenditures by telling myself I probably won’t be in Europe next year on my birthday and we are going back to Orcas next month and when am I going to be in London again, and I won’t have to see the credit card till the end of the month and I can deduct it..etc. etc. Those things are all true and the fact is, we had the chance to eat some really fresh, really fabulous food. And it was fun to eat and enjoy in the company of two of my favorite people in the world!
I didn’t have much of a preconceived idea of the River Café. It was light and airy with a blue theme and on the river Thames. I liked the wood burning stove exposed to the dining room and the layout of the kitchen- one long streamline space that paralleled the dining area. The staff was extremely friendly and attentive – loved the dark curly haired sommelier. If only I had more nerve and was only 28!
But he even offered to take a picture of us – I graciously accepted much to the embarrassment of the younger generation. One standard at both restaurants was the notion of yes you have a res at 7- for 2 hours- Fortunately, both evenings we had the chance to extend, as our table didn’t have another reservation. But it very much made me appreciate the luxery of time. It would not be enjoyable to rush through a meal and even with Chloé, 7 years old, at the table, we easily spent 2 1/2 hours eating. .
So on to our meals....

The Boxwood Café-London

We are in London today on my birthday and I was lucky enough to get a reservation at Gordon Ramsay’s “casual” Boxwood Café this afternoon. We are having dinner at the River Café Monday and hadn’t planned on the Boxwood- it was just fate. His two main restaurants aren’t even open on the weekends. Don’t you love it. We had to take an early res at 6pm, which suited me and the kids perfectly. I can only say “the kids” for three more weeks because Willie will be 18, May 1.Boo hoo. But what the hell, I guess no matter how old you are your parents call you “the kids”!
Anyway, it was a surprise treat for us all. Casual they may call it, but it was plenty fancy for us. Willie really liked the décor and Chloé felt like a grown up. There were actually quite a few children there. They say in their publicity “cater to children”. So it was a really nice atmosphere but not too stuffy. I think it’s a comfortable start for exposing kids to nice restaurants.
Looking over the menu, we decided to go for it by ordering the tasting menu for both Chloé and I.........(this is kinda long...)

Thioux - Paris 7th

I had a super birthday lunch with you know who- my best buddies, Nadine and Margot. We ate at Thioux, a thai restaurant in the 7th just across from the Seine. I had a birthday dinner here a couple of years ago too I like this place so much! The food is very fresh and the flavors really well combined. One might feel a little intimidated when you walk up to the front door that’s guarded by two men wanting to know if you have a right to be there but they smile once you say you do have a res and a right!
So here’s what we ate....
First - amuse bouche of a little thai style ground beef. Thai basil, peppers and lime....

Les Fables de la Fontaines

Today, I enjoyed a fab meal with two very special friends at Christian Constant's Les Fables. I am sure I am not the first to eat and write about it. Although, I can say I worked here as a stagiare for 2 months while at school - ESCF (Ecole Superior de Cuisine Francaise in the 6th) and still wanted to eat in the front of the house. That does say a lot. After three hours of eating only three courses but chatting up a storm, I felt very satisfied physically and emotionally and think the new chef is doing a great job. I'll just cut to the chase and talk about our meals.
We started with an amuse bouche that arrived in a charming canning jar with fish rillettes and wedges of toasted baguette. The amuse bouche gets your eye and your palette warmed up and to me is the first display of the chef's ingenuity and talent. It can be very simple and very pleasing as this was and a nice change from the toasts with herbed oil......