[Dawn.]

Originally Posted by Pork Chops

I love a French bistro; there are lots all across France, mostly found on corners in any village, open from breakfast time serving croissants and hot black coffee from a cafetière à piston, or French Press.

Lunchtime means the option of having 'Plat du jour', which is always an addition, made on the day as a special meal in addition to the set-priced menu. Plat du jour could be served in an earthenware marmite, perhaps snails in a garlicy-cream sauce, or a homemade pâté, depending on the region, or if you are either a favoured customer or very lucky, delicious beef bourguignon. Homemade pâté is sometimes offered at no extra cost, a sign of goodwill. Pâté is usually coarse with sliced Chanterelle mushrooms mixed in. Bistros all the way for me. They sure beat the pretentious and very expensive restaurants around Monaco!

A French bistro always serves homemade grub, the room usually having a homely log fire lit to keep the chill away and local red wine poured into a 1 lire carafes from a large barrel and sold very cheaply. Local wine is always red and tastes wonderful. But never ask for pizza lest the proprietor shows you the door. Pizza is for tourists. That said, homemade pizza is simply great.

Bistros are convivial places to eat, drink and be merry, but at ridiculously low cost. If one is lucky, a musician plays their guitar or an accordion while people eat. Beware when planning to eat on a Sunday though, because lunch starts bang on midday and finishes at 2PM so be sure to get there early.

Sounds really nice!