Friday, April 21, 2006

Eating outdoors

The red table cloths matched the tulips that grew from the cement planters surrounding the Auberge’s terrace. Leaves on the ivy against the stucco walls were just beginning to bloom.

My writer friend and I chose a grilled fish that was brought on a copper plate. The owner deftly filleted the fish, filled our plates with rice and fennel placed in stripes and served it with a fresh pepper and coriander sauce.

The sunshine was too refreshing after the winter to hide under any umbrella. None of the other diners wanted shade either. We couldn’t imagine their conversation was as much fun as ours as we delved into conflict in writing and what should and shouldn’t be in first drafts, but that was probably because we are so passionate about our subject. Still I hope they were as passionate about theirs.

Dessert was seven different ice creams all made by the restaurant, served on a ceramic painter’s pallet with each ball served in an indentation.

This was the first outdoor meal of the season after a winter that went on too long.

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