Auto Guru in Europe 2011: Drinks with Jerome

We went out to the Loire Valley on Wednesday ( pictures to be posted later this weekend ) and rather than take a train, rent a couple cars, fight our way through traffic, get lost a few times, get bitchy with each other, end up having to stay overnight somewhere, etc etc. I decided to hire a driver who would give us a full day tour. His name was Jerome and uses a minivan that sits 8 people and we were 6 so we had room to spare. Jerome spoke english very well and with a french accent which was a nice touch, knew his way there and indeed took us down some interesting back roads that we would never have found ourselves AND it was air conditioned. We had a fabulous day which you will appreciate better once I get some pictures posted. Jerome was a spectacular guide ... friendly, constantly asking us if we wanted advice so extremely helpful, very knowledgeable and a great personality. We lucked out!!!

Friday was Denis and Janice's 16'th anniversary so we asked Jerome where he would recommend that we eat but we wanted REAL Paris not the tourist Paris that is quite easy to find and of which we have gone to many times this trip. He recommended a small little bistro in the village of Montmartre. This is an area that very few tourists find for a variety of reasons starting with it is hilly so difficult to walk and there are no famous monuments or buildings. It is behind Sacre Coeur and the tourist square that is so popular. The restaurant's name was La Popote but to call it a restaurant isn't entirely accurate. It is more a Bistro/Bar that serves food. I checked the reviews on the internet of which there were very few and it was rated average at best but these ratings tend to single out the food and service and they miss the ambiance.

So we made a reservation and arrived for 9:00 pm and fortunately Jerome was there since they didn't have our reservation but as it turned out this isn't the type of place where you need a reservation since it really isn't a touristy type place. Jerome found us a table and we had a lovely meal. Now this is not a Michelin Star restaurant and NOT for the average tourist but we weren't looking for that instead we wanted good food and to be with everyday Parisians. And this is exactly what we got ... good food and we spent the night with everyday Parisians.

Jerome was there with an number of his friends so I sent them all a beer for helping us out and of course they responded in a typical Parisian way by sending us over a bottle of Anisette Liqueur which is vile stuff but VERY french. And a couple bottles of this home made liqueur that was in a big bottle filled with fruit ... the first bottle was full of pineapples and the second had vanilla and banana. I think the alcohol was rum. Jerome and his friends also came over and sang some songs and his friends went out of their way to chat with us and make us feel Parisian ... Savannah and Peter and Ashlee left early, Denis went to pay the bill and the bartender bought us another beer so we stayed and practiced our french. And our new found friends practiced their english. We closed up the place at about 2 a.m. ....well actually we left at 2:00 a.m. ... I have no idea when these type of places close. Actually I left at 2 a.m. ... Denis and Janice were heading to some Brazilian dance club and I have no idea how this worked out since they are not up yet. It also turned out that the others forgot their key so they were extremely fortunate that I decided to come home and not spend the night with Denis and Janice or else they would have ended up sleeping in the hall of our apartment. Chock it up to a lesson learned and part of the 'experience' of travel.

I great night and I think Denis and Janice got EXACTLY what they were looking for and this is what life is all about. Following are a few pictures although I only had my point and shoot and this night wasn't about photography it was about being Parisian.

Thank you very much Jerome ... you are a great guy.

Life is good ... enjoy

Auto Guru in Europe