Lunch at Drouant
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 Posted by Eric Tenin
I work a lot these days, but I have compensations... Hence, this wonderful lunch I had today at Drouant, a very famous restaurant near the Opera. Drouant is known for the quality of its food of course, but much more than that. It's also known as the place where each year the jury of l'Academie Goncourt announces who the winner of the Goncourt Prize is (see my previous post on this restaurant for more). This year it was Marie Ndiaye. As for me, I did not win any prize, but I had the best risoto...
November 25, 2009 12:19:00 AM GMT+01:00
Looks delicious. Beautiful table setting, too. I'm working hard, too, but no compensation this nice.
November 25, 2009 12:24:00 AM GMT+01:00
The readers of PDP are the ones who have won a prize, Eric. Thank you for your hard work on our behalf. You should be treated like a King each and every day. Now, would you pass the bread please?
November 25, 2009 12:26:00 AM GMT+01:00
Hmm.. I'm gonna have to take your word for it, can't see the pic :(
Glad you had a good time, though!
November 25, 2009 12:36:00 AM GMT+01:00
Wow, il y en a qui ont la vie belle quand même, pendant que d'autres triment !
Did you like this restaurant? And have you read Marie Ndiaye Novel so far? 'Trois femmes puissantes'. I was given the book recently (but before it won the Goncourt prize). It is on my table, not read yet. The only time I could read it is before falling asleep but I get asleep too quickly... Too much work and not enough compensations, I'd say ;)
Good night.
November 25, 2009 1:12:00 AM GMT+01:00
Looks lovely, Eric. Hope you enjoyed it thoroughly. I clicked to the link on l'Academie Goncourt & saw a photo of M. Bernard Pivot! I had never seen him, but his name is so well known to me from the US show "Inside the Actor's Studio" where the host uses Pivot's 10 question interview for all his guests. Thanks for more stimulating words and images, Eric!
November 25, 2009 2:07:00 AM GMT+01:00
This time I don't envy you Eric. I had lunch today at a wonderful french restaurant with a view here in Rio, so for a few hours I had the best of two worlds: France & Rio!!!
;)
November 25, 2009 3:23:00 AM GMT+01:00
Oh, but I envy you, Monica! France, Rio, and a view! Sounds spectacular. I've always wanted to visit Rio -- maybe someday I can meet you for a nice Salade Nicoise under the Sugarloaf!
November 25, 2009 5:34:00 AM GMT+01:00
Risotto!
November 25, 2009 6:02:00 AM GMT+01:00
Did you sneak this photo Eric or did you tell everyone about PDP at the table? What else did you have for lunch? Looks delicious!
And btw Eric, no, "anonymous" is not me. Although you know I love risotto!
November 25, 2009 6:27:00 AM GMT+01:00
I'll go with what he's having...and with regard to Monica...what she's having too. ;-)
November 25, 2009 6:28:00 AM GMT+01:00
Yes Coltrane, I'll have French food in Rio anytime! It's a beautiful place with wonderful people.
November 25, 2009 6:32:00 AM GMT+01:00
Have a great day Michael.
November 25, 2009 6:37:00 AM GMT+01:00
Yeah, I'll have what he's having, too: risotto.
Oh, and I'll have Monica, too!
Anyway, though I can't describe a meal in Paris, I did dine at Cafe Matisse in Nassau, and a wonderful meal it was. Once in a while I experience an exhilerating Pinot Noir, and such a wine found me there.
I agree, Eric, that a good meal compensates for many things. Your lunch, the table, it all is beautiful. Perfect photo.
Hey, when should I come to Paris in 2010? I need to start planning. Can anyone find a date for me for the picnic?
November 25, 2009 7:32:00 AM GMT+01:00
Looks delicious! I think I'll have the same. And congratulations to Ms. Ndiaye.
Dear Tomate, I wonder what the problem is. Is anyone else having trouble seeing the photo? I can see it just fine.
November 25, 2009 8:49:00 AM GMT+01:00
Ok, Ok, I see it better now!
You were there because of ... Risotto and not at all because of Marie Ndiayé... ;)
November 25, 2009 8:58:00 AM GMT+01:00
Looks wonderful. I adore a good risotto and this is just that. Fascinating to read about Drouant and its connection to the Prix Goncourt.
November 25, 2009 9:00:00 AM GMT+01:00
Must admit to having a big crush on Bernard Pivot—I like him even more than I like risotto (and this looks super). Congrats to Ms. Ndiaye.
November 25, 2009 9:49:00 AM GMT+01:00
I love risotto, too, and as Alexa says, this one looks super. Thank you, Eric, for the visual feast.
Monica's day sounds lovely, too!
November 25, 2009 11:01:00 AM GMT+01:00
mmmm but you know what I fancy now? The pile of bread and the wine. Simple but delicious. :)
Gorgeous table.
November 25, 2009 3:06:00 PM GMT+01:00
Looks increadibly delicious!! lucky you ;-)
November 25, 2009 4:29:00 PM GMT+01:00
I am jealous it seems a bit unfair or should I be inspired, or nervous, as I look at this picture of beautifully presented food and prepare thanksgiving dinner.
November 25, 2009 5:37:00 PM GMT+01:00
Is that correct, the value of the prize is 10 euros?
Less than cost of the food on your plate Eric!
Of course the prestige for the winner is beyond price.
November 25, 2009 7:44:00 PM GMT+01:00
You've never actually mentioned what it is that you do as work. Is it out of line to ask?
November 25, 2009 9:39:00 PM GMT+01:00
November 25, 2009 9:39:00 PM GMT+01:00
Wait, wait...there is one more person out here in cyberspace that wants to mention HER risotto meal. I just had pumpkin risotto with sage...in Milan, the queen of risotto cities! Not to mention the stops for pannetone,icecream and an apertivo that came with all kinds of goodies at Dolce Gabbana's bar.(if you can see thru this, you can tell that I'll feel like THROWING UP soon.)
Thanks for expanding our horizons with your post today,Eric.
Carrie and Alexa,add me to the list about B. Pivot....my favorite word is food and my favorite sound is a baby laughing.......
November 25, 2009 9:43:00 PM GMT+01:00
November 25, 2009 10:33:00 PM GMT+01:00
Food. Nourriture. By any name, it still tastes as good.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my 'Caine friends out there, and any others who celebrate it. I hope that you expats will have a good meal and, most important, get together with friends and/or family. (I suppose peanut butter is ok for this holiday, Michael!)
November 26, 2009 12:39:00 AM GMT+01:00
@Tomate. You could not see the photo? Why??
@Zoé "he only time I could read it is before falling asleep but I get asleep too quickly... Too much work and not enough compensations, I'd say ;)" Same on my side! Besides, I don't even have the book on my bed side table ;-)
@Carrie. Yes, you're right. Pivot is now part of the Jury. And we also have the Actor's studio program here, so I see what you're talking about. The questionnaire is actually known to be Le questionnaire de Proust and Pivot "borrowed" it.
@Monica "This time I don't envy you Eric. I had lunch today at a wonderful french restaurant with a view here in Rio, so for a few hours I had the best of two worlds: France & Rio!!!" OK, you win!!
@Michael "Did you sneak this photo Eric or did you tell everyone about PDP at the table? What else did you have for lunch? Looks delicious!" No I sneaked it and I really felt bad, because this was a work lunch and I really felt like the obnoxious tourist taking a photo of his plate!
@Jeff "I agree, Eric, that a good meal compensates for many things. Your lunch, the table, it all is beautiful. Perfect photo." Not so perfect actually. There was not enough light so it's blurry...
@ALexa "Must admit to having a big crush on Bernard Pivot" He was loved by everyone when he had his show.
@Lynn "mmmm but you know what I fancy now? The pile of bread and the wine" Actually the bread was to die for. Crispy, slightly warm. Yummy!
@Drummon "Is that correct, the value of the prize is 10 euros?" Yes. But in fact much more than that. Because a Goncourt prize winner sells hundreds of books.
@Starman "You've never actually mentioned what it is that you do as work. Is it out of line to ask?" Not at all; I'm a journalist.
@PHX ".in Milan, the queen of risotto cities!" You're so right. SO did you throw up in the end?!!
November 26, 2009 12:54:00 AM GMT+01:00
This is good information, Eric. Now I know it's obnoxious to take a photo of my food in Paris! Around here the restaurant owners love it because they're going to be posted on a blog and get publicity!
November 26, 2009 6:58:00 AM GMT+01:00
How I wish I could tag along...
December 11, 2009 10:30:00 AM GMT+01:00
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