I love the word amuse-bouche - literally 'amuse the mouth' - in other words, something to wake up the taste buds. If anyone doesn't know - an amuse-bouche is a single, bite-sized hors d'oeuvre. It differs from an appetizer in that they are not ordered from the menu but are chef's selection normally served with an aperitif.
The original French word - still very much used - is amuse-gueule. Gueule is slang for mouth but in fact means an animal's mouth. Amuse-bouche is the word used in fine restaurants.
You can see in the photograph they are served on porcelain spoons - perish the thought of using our fingers! One had some meat in it, something else was basically aubergines - the small round mouthfuls, not on spoons, were made with cheese. All went down very well with the champers...
The terrace ahead is empty - the tables to the left, ie behind us, were full. Within half an hour all the tables you see in the photograph had been taken.
Tomorrow - lunch.
The original French word - still very much used - is amuse-gueule. Gueule is slang for mouth but in fact means an animal's mouth. Amuse-bouche is the word used in fine restaurants.
You can see in the photograph they are served on porcelain spoons - perish the thought of using our fingers! One had some meat in it, something else was basically aubergines - the small round mouthfuls, not on spoons, were made with cheese. All went down very well with the champers...
The terrace ahead is empty - the tables to the left, ie behind us, were full. Within half an hour all the tables you see in the photograph had been taken.
Tomorrow - lunch.
WEll this just beats all, as we say down here!!!! I didn't miss the reflection of the pink champagne in the glass either. I love the china, the crisp linens, well the whole package-ha Since I probably will NEVER get inside this lovely restaurant, I do so appreciate getting to tag along! Merci
ReplyDeleteAhh so finally we see a small piece of the culinary puzzle!! Is the meat and cheese mixture? Can't wait to see what else is served and everyone else whom is there. So glad for the glimpse into the culinary experience. Bon appetit!
ReplyDeleteI love these little bites that the chef puts together to tease our palates.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice setting. If I didnt know what the amuse-bouche was I would still try just because its presented nicely.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I'm in a French charming school - I love learning these French terms!
ReplyDeleteDo you just get one each to eat? I don't think that I'd like any of them as I don't eat red meat, aubergines & bit fussy over what the cheese is like. Soft only.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope the next course is more to my liking.
Gail's Man, yes you can one each to eat. I don't eat meat so I didn't eat the meat mix, whatever it was. The cheese was nice, warm cheese in a sort of crust. Each just a mouthful. Truth is I was concentrating on the champagne!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantasic photo. Really captures the elan of a fine restaurant when one walks in. The promise of magic & the excitement of the anticipation. The stepping into another world of luxury & service & tasty morsels. This place us a to delight the senses. These people could well use this photo in their advertisements for the place.
ReplyDelete