It wasn't until Jane arrived "chez moi" on yesterday morning, that I knew what the birthday plan would be.
I knew we were going somewhere for lunch, but where and what the rest of the day would hold for us would be a surprise.
Jane was a little daunted and disappointed by the rain.
But, I love it and had already made up my mind that if it rained, it would not rain on my birthday parade!
We were heading to the Hotel Restaurant des Grottes in Cabrerets through the Cele Valley.
I had been to Cabrerets many moons ago when I spent my 5 weeks at Wendy's. Jean-Luc and I actually rode bikes there from Tour de Faure that summer of '98! Ah, memories.
We were the first ones there as is usual for Jane and I. Our table was smack on the edge of the covered terrace where we could enjoy river action, scenery, rain, and all that birthday celebrations have to offer.
There's so much to share about the restaurant and the day, that I thought I'd start here with lunch.
It began with a bubbly Amor de Paris with kir and peanuts. Jane had Os a Moelle for a starter and I had Terrine de Foie Gras.
Main courses were:
Jane's Agneau Fermier de Quercy
and
Entrecote de Bouef with a Cabecou Sauce for me.
Desserts were variations on glace for us both!
Vin rouge and friendship flowed right along with the Cele!
I knew I needed to make my call to Dad at 2. He sings me Happy Birthday every year and I wouldn't miss it.
Little did I know that when I went over to the side terrace to make my call, Jane would disappear to set up a birthday surprise.
Here we were, after finishing our meal AND our desserts when the staff came out with a candled up piece of pie that reminded me of our New Orleans pecan pie. But this one was walnut.
Joyeux Anniversaire began and soon the whole restaurant was singing. That was a first for me in France. I felt so special and celebrated. But even more, I felt a sense of belonging too!
This was only the beginning. I have so much more to share. Merci de mille fois a Jane et...
Happy Wednesday!
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