The drive back to Paris took twelve hours. You name a hazardous road condition, we encountered it: Blizzards, freezing rain, falling rocks, avalanche warnings, icy roads, dangerous curves, deer crossings, scary axe murderers following us with their brights on.... Fortunately, C's dad is the calmest driver ever, so the ride was not nearly as terrifying as it could have been. Curled up in the back seat, I watched snowflakes the size of swans come down and listened to Jane Austen's unabridged Persuasion on my iPod.
The best part of the trip was our meal at Courtepaille, my new favorite highway restaurant chain in the whole wide world. Courtepaille is pronounced, roughly, court-a-pie. It means "short straw" or, in my franglish translation, "short pie." Their motto is On n'a pas inventé le bonheur, mais les grillades qui vont avec! -- "We didn't invent happiness, just the mixed grill that comes with it!" Really, could you possibly think of a better slogan?
Courtepaille's current Special of the Month is pig, in all its forms and glory:
TOUS LES SOIRS du 1er mars au 03 avril
Un mois pour redécouvrir toutes les saveurs du cochon! Un délicieux moment à partager en famille ou entre amis.
EVERY NIGHT from March 1st through April 3rd
One month to rediscover all the flavors of pig! A delicious time to be shared with family or among friends.
Unfortunately, we only stopped for a midday meal, and thus were unable to sample the pig platter. Henri, however, ordered both herring and steak tartare. Any roadside joint where you can get pickled fish and raw hamburger rules in my book. Also, they serve decent wine, and cocktails! Overwhelmed by the awesome variety of meats, I opted for the vegetarian plate, which included a baked potato, delicious dipped in Courtepaille's signature purple mustard. The mustard is made from moût -- or, wine must -- the pulp and seeds of the grape that remain after its juice has been extracted. Did I mention that it's purple? I was too full for dessert, but got one anyway -- the daily special, a parfait of chestnut cream, chestnut mousse, a solid inch of chocolate ganache and a mountain of whipped cream. It was divine, I tell you, and totally worth the stomach ache.
If you're ever lucky enough to travel the stunning highways of France, I highly recommend a stop at one of the 156 Courtepaille establishments across the country. I give it two pie thumbs, way up!
I'm ready to court a pie any old time! Glad you two are back safely. We're off in a matter of dark and early morning minutes to Orly. Take good notes in seminar: I'm very sad to be missing what looks like a good session.
Posted by: principessa | March 08, 2005 at 12:19 AM