“Wow,” she said. “It looks…strange.”
“I take it you’ve never had oysters before?”
“I haven’t,” she shook her head.
“Try an oyster and then take a sip of the wine,” I suggested. “They’re pairing each course tonight with a special vintage.”
Natalie raised her eyebrows. “We’re getting a different wine with each course?”
“We are.” I nodded. “It’s traditional. They pair each course with the wine that will enhance the flavor palette.”
“It’s strange… I’ve known all that and yet it seems so…”
“So?”
“Decadent,” she said. “Extravagant. Makes me feel like…”
“A princess in a Gothic fairytale?” I offered.
She laughed. “So, what is the name of this wine?”
“It’s a Chablis,” I told her. “It goes brilliantly with oysters.”
We had a wonderful time eating our first course, and I saw Natalie’s eyes light up as she sipped the wine. “Wow,” she breathed. “This is quite the experience.”
“You’ve never had an authentic French meal before?”
“No, but it’s more than that,” she said. “I’ve never had a multi-course meal before.”
I felt a little burst of satisfaction in knowing that I could give her this experience. It made me excited for the rest of our meal. The soup course came next, and the waiters brought us a beetroot consommé with sherry. Then we had the poached salmon with mousseline sauce, which was paired with moselle. Next was Chicken Lyonnais with red Bordeaux, and our main course was lamb with mint sauce and red Burgundy. Finally, dessert was brought through and we enjoyed peaches in chartreuse jelly with French vanilla ice cream.
The last course was an assortment of fine French chocolates with coffee, and as soon as the waiters disappeared from the cabin, Natalie turned to me with a huge smile on her face.
“This has got to be the most amazing meal I’ve ever eaten,” she said. “No contest.”
“I’m glad you liked it.”
“Liked it?” she repeated emphatically. “I loved it. I might have to move to France now.”
I smiled. “That was actually more fun for me than I could have imagined.”
“And, why is that?”
“Well because for once, I felt like I was teaching you something,” I said. “It always feels like you know everything and I’m the student.”
“Hardly,” Natalie said, but I could tell that she was flattered by the compliment.
“I’m serious,” I said. “I thought I was quite a knowledgeable guy before I met you. Apparently, the only topic I can best you in is French cuisine.”
She laughed, and then she looked out at the Seine in all its glory. “Did you know that the word ‘Seine’ comes from the Latin Sequana? She was the Gallo-Roman Goddess of the river.”
I smiled. “And, we’re back. No, I didn’t know that.”
“And, did you know that it is believed that Joan of Arc’s ashes were thrown into the Seine after her burning?”
I smiled. “I didn’t know that, either.”
Natalie nodded and turned towards the water. “There’s so much history here… Maybe that’s why this city is so magical. There are a hundred million stories that have yet to be discovered.”