Tags
Bistro Regent, Bordeaux, France, Mindy Kaling, Paris, Rainy Day, TGV, vacation, Wine
After spending two wonderful nights in Paris…
…we got on the TGV (Train de Grande Vitesse) at Monmartre station and three hours later landed in Bourdeaux. I read Mindy Kaling’s very funny book “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without me? (And Other Concerns)” on the trip while getting irritated by the affectionate couple across from me between chapters. Ugh.
Dave and I both love wine (this should come as no surprise to anyone who knows us or has read this blog), which makes Bordeaux the motherland. I really only know three things about French wine: Bordeaux reds are blends, Burgundy reds are Pinot noir and I love French wine. Hopefully after this trip I can add some more scintillating facts. Or have fun trying.
Bordeaux is beautiful. It is on the river Garonne and close to the Atlantic Ocean, hence it’s name: a bord de l’eau- on the water. I didn’t know this before doing my research. Ok, let’s be honest, Dave did the research and I just recited the fact.
I heard someone describe the city as a mini Paris but I don’t think that does it justice. It has it’s own character and flair, with some Spanish influences. There are narrow streets, grand promenades, and buildings made of a yellowish stone. People ride bikes in trench coats holding umbrellas in one hand with fresh baguettes in the basket.
Rather than me blather on, why don’t I show you some pictures.
See what I mean? Even in the rain it’s stunning.
We had dinner at a French institution that has been in existence since the late 1800s called Bistro Regent. The menu is simple- one of four choices for the main with a bowl of frites and a bowl of salad ‘a volonte’. What is a volonte you ask? The French way of saying all you can eat. Yup, you finish your bowl of fries and they bring more to the table. Notice I didn’t use salad in the example, let’s just be real. We decided on the steak for two, which was 28 ounces of tasty grilled beef. It was a ton of food but we made a dent. I ate 2/3 of the steak and Dave 2/3 of the frites.
OMG, I am so stuffed right now and feeling quite gluttonous. Clearly the French can’t eat like this and maintain their slim figures.
Tomorrow we will explore the city in some sunshine.