On to Paris

As we visit the relatives again, one last night at The Clarence and an early morning start on Friday 3rd, we have a brilliant run to Heathrow, drop off the car which has driven well and an Underground ride from Heathrow to St Pancras Station.
Next the Eurostar to Paris. What a wonderful operation. This lot over here can take a fast train under the sea from Britain to France in 2.25 hours. We can't even get a fast train from Sydney to Melbourne!
We arrived to a fabulously French 'otel, and were offered a coffee after our long journey. We later sussed out the area, found a bar on Bvd du Montparnasse and sat and sipped white wine, watching the passing parade.
Magnifique!
But where to eat? Well it just so happened, up the rue from our 'otel was a restaurant 'La Cantine du Troqeut' a Basque style Bistro which has a Michelin star. You cannot book so one must wait in line for a table. Big problem....many people, not so many tables.
The man behind the bar waves people in with great enthusiasm and while he gets you a drink, the main lady of the establishment sighs and continues to play Table Tetris.
It is pure theatre and the food impressive. The menu is on a chalk board on the wall and is entirely French and changes daily. Very traditional food at good prices. The staff don't speak much English but that wasn't a problem with John excelling with his French. The couple next to us were Spanish and did not speak French or English, but somehow they got through it all and ended up very satisfied.

I was taken with the pork terrine and then a piece of flank steak with a pepper sauce. John entered into the spirit of things and embarked on a pigathon! He began with L'oreill du cochon, followed by Pieds du cochon. I heard the entrée being decribed by the waiter who had only limited English, to someone as 'cow-head' but it was in fact grilled sliced Pig's Ear. The main course was Pig's feet, braised and pulled into small pieces, served on very rich mashed potato.
Indeed...The Animal was out Friday night.