Dinner with a Bishop

Today was all about new experiences and playing at being tourists. Not being too sure of the impact of any demonstration and/or riots we kept away from potential trouble spots with a visit to Sacré Coeur. The church is of course spectacular but our visit was somewhat spoilt by an officious, lecturing little (male) prat, with the longest pigtail you have ever seen, telling all and sundry to keep quiet. Being reminded to keep the noise down is one thing, which I respect, but being lectured by this slimy little toad was another. Hey ho.
We had a light lunch in Place du Tertre followed by a trip back across town for my first new experience of the day, a trip to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. This gives you great views over Paris and is well worth the climb to the top (284 steps or, if you have the slightest bit of intelligence, the much more sensible lift).

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So on to the second new experience of the day. Now I don't think that I have ever spoken to a Bishop, never mind having broken bread with one, but meet up with one we did and a very nice person he was too. Having said that, you'd expect a bishop to be a model of virtue, wouldn't you? Discretion dictates that I do not reveal his identity nor reveal our conversation, but rest assured, there is salvation for all of us!
We ate at Thoumieux (79 rue St Dominique, 75007, tel. 0147 05 49 75) which first opened in 1923 - as you could tell from the age of most of the waiters. This place is an institution, a 'typical', old fashioned, Parisian brasserie, with an atmosphere, decor and cuisine from yesteryear. If you want an old favourite it's probably on the menu. From escargots and oysters to magret de canard and cassoulet, it's all there. The waiters tend to be a bit fussy, a little po faced, with a done it all, seen it all, attitude. The food is good; however the wine list leans heavily on claret and burgundy, which I think is a shame because there is so much good, sensibly priced wine around. The French still have this dated love affair with wine from these two regions, wine which I believe is overpriced and of relatively arguable quality. It was a really interesting evening.