Reconnecting Over Dinner with an Old Friend
Dining with an old friend felt like being shown a magnificent, unknown world of the Orient, much like visiting the Guimet Museum of Asian Arts. On the way back, we took a regular taxi.
We entered the restaurant immediately after getting out. When asked what I wanted to eat, I had absolutely no idea. Nothing on the menu sparked any interest, so I ordered a pink champagne and decided on a fish dish. He ordered something else, but I'm unsure what it was. What arrived first were small pancakes served with a fish-based dip. Apparently, this dip contained sea urchin and was a hit even with his grandchild. I tried one, but it tasted slightly fishy to me.
The Main Course
Then, a large plate was brought out. Salmon appeared, accompanied by a creamy sauce in which I could see some shellfish. It was indeed delicious! I ordered another glass of champagne, and we toasted!
He had chicken shaped like a sausage covered in a brown sauce. After finishing the meal, I had an espresso, which was excellent!
In the middle of the dinner, an older gentleman seated near the window struck up a conversation with us. He assumed I was Japanese and mentioned that he had also traveled to Japan for business purposes.
Later, I learned that the restaurant was the Brasserie du Louvre.
Back at the hotel, I presented him with the "Inden pouch" I had brought for him. He immediately opened the package, exclaiming, "This is lovely, thank you!" Then he added, "I could never figure out how to wrap things like this." When I told him I had wrapped it for him, he seemed very surprised.
We said goodbye with kisses on both cheeks. His mustache felt a little ticklish!
