International Cuisine | Monday, first period

[sharp_as_knives]

Class met at Portalocity today, and Hannibal waited until they were gathered. "Good morning. A good bit of what we now think of as Western gourmet cooking is based in French recipes. So, I thought that we would start in France." He nodded to Lottie if she were there. "Please stay close once we arrive; Paris is a large and busy city."

The portal dropped them off outside a restaurant; it was late afternoon. Hannibal ushered them all to the end of the colonnade. "These are the gardens of the Palais Royal, the royal palace. Those of you who aren't familiar with France, it hasn't been a monarchy for some time; it now houses some government offices and a library. But as you can see, it is still a lovely view." He smiled. "Today we will be dining at Le Grand Véfour." He read it to them, since the French pronunciation might be strange to some of them. "This restaurant has been here in one form or another for centuries, and is currently helmed by chef Guy Martin. The food is a mixture of traditional and modern French. I expect you to have questions about it; please ask. We're here to understand what we're eating as well as to enjoy it."

And with that, he led them into the restaurant.

Comments

Sign in!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Ready to eat French food!

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[wildandbrave]

Cosette Fauchelevent

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[not_a_moonie]

Alana

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[bestatmystery]

Lottie Grote

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[notamascot]

Kaylin Neya

Listen to Hannibal's intro, ogle Paris!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Ogle the really gaudy decor you can see on Google street view through the window!

Re: Listen to Hannibal's intro, ogle Paris!

[wildandbrave]

Excuse Cosette while she stared (yes, she knew it wasn't polite but she couldn't really help herself) at oh, basically everything. She might never be over the fact that modern-day Paris was such a different place from the one she remembered, for one thing. Honestly, what were all these relatively wide, straight streets? For another, this place had been one of the most prestigious and high-profile locations in the city in her time, too. Even the convent girls had known about it; there had been more than a few younger daughters of the nobility among them, and no power in heaven or on earth could completely shut down dormitory gossip at bedtime.

So in more than one way being here -- in the modern parlance -- blew her mind, especially since even by 19th century standards the decor here looked old.

Re: Listen to Hannibal's intro, ogle Paris!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Hannibal smiled and took a moment to let Cosette get her modern bearings. "It's changed quite a bit, I imagine."

Re: Listen to Hannibal's intro, ogle Paris!

[wildandbrave]

"It has," answered Cosette, "and yet in this place it almost seems like it hasn't at all. The island is much closer to the Paris I remember than where we are now, to tell the truth. It's all very peculiar."

She paused, and laughed.

"Peculiar, yes, but I think it's fascinating as well."

Re: Listen to Hannibal's intro, ogle Paris!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

"Have you ever considered bringing one of your friends here, or your father, for a visit?" Hannibal asked. "You could play tourist."

Re: Listen to Hannibal's intro, ogle Paris!

[notamascot]

Kaylin ordered randomly off the menu and settled in to eat with a lack of table manners that probably horrified the waiter.

Okay, she wasn't terrible, but she wasn't exactly cultured either.

Re: Listen to Hannibal's intro, ogle Paris!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Never fear; Hannibal had told the restaurant they were all American students. While not strictly true, it had prepared them for things like this.

"I don't suppose you'd be interested in learning formal table etiquette?" Hannibal asked. He wasn't holding out any hope, but he felt obliged to offer. He wasn't judging her, either; she wasn't being intentionally crude, just herself.

Re: Listen to Hannibal's intro, ogle Paris!

[notamascot]

Kaylin paused in her eating to look at him curiously. "What's that?"

Re: Listen to Hannibal's intro, ogle Paris!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

"Eating a formal meal has its own rather specialized manners," Hannibal explained. "Rules for which utensils to use, how to hold them, how to eat and sit. Different places have different rules." He leaned toward her. "None of it will help you to be a Hawk, I'm afraid, but if you learn how to figure out the rules of a place, that can be very useful."

Eat! Ask Questions!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Not necessarily in that order! Hannibal speaks fluent French, so he'll talk to the waiters if you prefer. You've all got a table together, and Hannibal is paying for has charmed the owner into comping everything.

Re: Eat! Ask Questions!

[wildandbrave]

Cosette would be more than happy to help people with their orders too, seeing as she didn't have any trouble with her own. She was trying not to order anything too extravagant, out of habit, but she couldn't stop looking at some of the fancier options on the menu.

Re: Eat! Ask Questions!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

"How much has the food changed over the years?" Hannibal asked curiously. "I know many recipes are centuries old, but our interpretations of them may still be different."

Re: Eat! Ask Questions!

[wildandbrave]

"I'm not all that sure," Cosette admitted. "This is much more elegant fare than I'm used to, but after what I've learned in your classes I do suspect there are quite a few differences. Modern technology like stoves and such change the way food can be prepared, but also certain ingredients that may be easier or harder to obtain these days must have changed the recipes. As for how it tastes, much of this is new to me, too."

Re: Eat! Ask Questions!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Hannibal nodded. "I hope you enjoy it nonetheless."

Re: Eat! Ask Questions!

[bestatmystery]

Lottie's eyes went round as saucers looking at the menu -- specifically the prices. Then she proceeded to cheerfully order one of absolutely anything involving meat or cheese. In really deplorable French. Which the waiter proceeded to repeat back in English, to be sure she got it right.

"Roasted monk with rocket juice!" Lottie exclaimed after the exchange. "The French really know how to make eating excitin!"

Re: Eat! Ask Questions!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Hannibal smirked. "Monk fish and arugula," he clarified. "I doubt a roasted monk in rocket fuel would taste very good."

Re: Eat! Ask Questions!

[bestatmystery]

"Depends on the rocket," Lottie said. "They've been makin great leaps in food-based fuels. Though I think they'd have to ordain a cow."

Re: Eat! Ask Questions!

[not_a_moonie]

Alana ordered lobster as a starter, then lamb, with a mango dessert to finish. She ate with her eyes closed almost the entire time. She wasn't sure if it was the setting or if the food was Just That Good, but this would be a meal to remember for a long time.

Talk to Hannibal!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

He's here eating, too.

OOC!

[never-dull.livejournal.com]

Anything I haven't thought of? Want a waiter or something? Have questions?

They'll probably have to wait till I've had coffee.