i hate packing. why didn’t any of you warn me?

As in all sequels I don’t really remember what happened in earlier editions. Most say that they liked 11 but were disappointed with 12. I don’t think I minded 12, but like I said, I don’t really remember either. I thought 13 was good. It’s relaxing just watching the charisma of the veteran actors. George Clooney has always been a favourite of mine. Brad Pitt is ok, to be honest after the whole Aniston thing I’m a little weary about him. The two men on screen together is wonderful. Like in previous editions, the best scenes are when they’re just lounging around talking about life. I enjoyed Casey Affleck and Scott Caan’s story line as well. They were sent to fix the dice made in a Mexican factory but got side-tracked and started a riot because of poor working conditions. Al Pacino is great (when is he not?). Ellen Barkin is 53 years old and has the most amazing, amazing, amazing body. She must have incredible discipline.

I am falling over tired but I’ve been feeling a little philosophical of late and wanted to share. How many people will take the initiative, invest money/time/energy for change? I don’t like the word risk. It sounds too dangerous. However, how many people can identify something in their life that they think can change for the better and actually go after it? It takes courage and wisdom and patience and blessings and pain killers and perseverance and I don’t know what else. I’ve gone after a few things in my life. I haven’t always gotten a return on investment but in general I don’t think anything worked out too badly. I salute those who at least try and make their lives better instead of just swallowing.

630 Rue des Meurons

I had wanted to go to this restaurant for some time. It’s across the street from a school I presented at a few times for WISE (Women in Science and Engineering). The restaurant has two dining sections, normal and train. Ofcourse I was wanting to eat in the train car section. My exposure to french food has been quite limited. Everyone always talks about how great french food is so I did have high expectations. I was dissapointed. I think french food is quite bland. It is true, I have been accused of covering up my food with sauce on more than one occasion. I guess I like my spices. I don’t think it takes away from food, I think it compliments it.

Regardless, here’s the story. We walk in and the first waiter sits us. He asks us if we would like some drinks. I say we don’t drink so perhaps we’ll stick with water. He suggests a non-alcholic drink menu anyways and I accept. I look through it and find nothing worth while. In the meantime though Tipu and I have already figured out what food we’d like to order. So when the first waiter comes back I tell him we don’t want drinks but we’ve chosen our food. He didn’t looked so pleased. He told me that he doesn’t do that, the second waiter does that. Laa-dee-da.

The appetizers we had were absolutely amazing. I have never tasted something so intriguing. It was smoked salmon rolled in flatbread with capers and other stuff. That wasn’t the amazing part. The amazing part was the zesty salad made out of celery root, carrots, capers, red onions, vinegar, etc that the rolls were placed on. That was good. That’s what going out to eat should be about. In retrospect, it may have been fun to try the escargot and frog legs but I wasn’t feeling that adventurous.

The main courses were good but not great. Tipu had a rack of lamb. It was cooked to perfection, it was moist, juicy, soft, etc. However it was just lamb. Very little else. I had stuffed pickeral fillet. I ordered it because I was wondering how you would stuff a pickeral fillet. It turns out you just roll the fillet. My fish was beyond bland. It was steamed in it’s own juices or something. It had a mushroom filling that couldn’t quite help with the blandness. Both of our main dishes came with steamed vegetables and a mashed potato lump that was deep fried in breadcrumbs. The mashed potato lump was not bad. Do not ever, ever, ever feed me steamed vegetables at a restaurant. If you want to show innovation, prestige, culture and culinary art you better damn well find something better than steamed vegetables to make me happy. I can steam my own vegetables. I don’t need a restaurant for that. I certainly don’t need a french restaurant for that.

The desserts did look ok. Not Just Desserts good though so I skipped.

The decor in the train is inconsistent. I think it’s meant to be classy with deep reds, and gold leafed panels but they have unfortunately put up contemporary art of popular drinks. It kind of takes away from the atmosphere.

The moral of the story is, when you go out to eat french and have a similar taste palette as mine, order appetizer and dessert. Skip the main because it’ll be boring.

I have an oxide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!