Food in Europe, Part 2

I talked a little about food here earlier. Wanted to catch you up on some things.

We had a business off site for 3 days a few weeks ago. Nothing like this event would have been in the US. In the course of 3 business dinners for large groups in 3 nights, I had ostrich steak, Welsh lamb chops, and a marinated duck breast. All except the ostrich I had had before, but none this good, especially the duck. I normally don't care for duck, but there were no options. This duck breast was in a light sauce and tender and juicy like I'd never seen.

On to Calais. After I arrived, I asked the lady at the desk for a restaurant. I was starved. She recommended I go back to the main street and take the first place on the left. It was called "Au Vieux Forneau", don't know what that means but it didn't seem to involve the rude French asshole, so I tried it.

Best decision I made the entire trip. Wonderful place, the staff spoke passable English, and the food was superb! that night, I had what the French call a "menu" which means you order 3 courses for 1 price. They start with a "chef's little bite" meaning whatever the chef wants to serve you for 1-2 bites. In this case, it was a shot glass of vegetable soup. Yes, it literally came in a shot glass! Absolutely wonderful soup.

Maybe I've been in the UK too long now, but it seemed very reasonably priced as well. The salad was a mixed salad covered by a cheese pastry. Awesome! Followed by a thinly sliced steak and veggies, and a cheese plate for desert. Also had 2 glasses of an impressive house red and a brandy to top it off.

Was so good I went back Saturday night and asked the head waiter to bring me a fish. "Les poissons
Les poissons
How I love les poissons"
No, I don't have this on my MP3 player!

Anyway, they brought me a 3 fish pot. I was a little nervous. Being from NC, fish is supposed to be battered and fried, with hush puppies and cole slaw. That's how God created them. This was a crock pot with 2 fishes and shelled mussels in it cooked in a sauce. Again, wonderful!

Overall, I found the food in Calais to be excellent, with good service, and almost everyone not only did, but would speak English.