Le Train Bleu

(think of this post with a small remembrance of Lynn Lethcoe, who died a couple of years ago, way before his time. He first recommended Le Train Bleu to us)

After the reservation was made at Le Train Bleu, we headed directly over to the Gare de Lyon. (C'est magnifique!) We had to change Metro trains, once, but arrived just spot on time. (Those of you who know me know that I abhor being late. I think it drives Doreen crazy, but there you have it)

The restaurant is on the East end of the station:

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

With big sweeping staircase and art deco everything, it feels like a place out of time. (M.F.K Fischer called it "Not a Station, but a Place" and I would agree). We were seated immediately (before the waiting hoards who had no reservations, even though ours were only 45 minutes old) and had a view into the Gare, watching both the TGV trains come and go, and the old fashioned, slow trains as well.

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

Doreen was happy to be at Le Train Bleu, as was I

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

The place was very busy - with waiters and waitresses wandering to and fro continuously. And loudly. And dropping several plate (I seem to remember four in the two and a half hours we were there). But it just contributed to the charm. We ordered leisurely and ate the same way. For my appetizer I had Pistachio Sausage from Lyon in Brioche:

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

Doreen had Pig's Trotter and Escargot in Croustillant:

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

Both were delicious. With the meal I ordered a nice Pernand Vergeles (Louis Latour) Burgundy (2007) which went very well with the starters, and later, the main courses. The sauce on my brioche was just delicious. I am sure there was plenty of butter in it.

For our main courses I had the leg of lamb with scalloped potatoes. I did not know it when I ordered the lamb, but they carved it at the table:

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

It was beautifully presented:

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

and plenty of it, too.

Doreen had the veal chop with macaroni and cheese:

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

She found the veal a little stringy, while my lamb (some red, some nicely blackened) was great. I couldn't finish the whole plate.

For dessert we shared something called Creole Profiteroles. It was a single, large puff pastry with ice cream and banana inside. It must have been the banana that made it "creole".

They poured melted chocolate over it at the table, for a spectacular finish:

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

It was quite enjoyable.

Overall, a wonderful meal.

As we were taking advantage of the facilities before we left, I noticed a cat, the Chat du Le Train Bleu in the lounge:

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Sort of sweet. I like the way that pets are treated here.

Here I am, waiting:

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The worst part was that I left my hat in the booth.

I realized it when we got to the Hotel de Ville Metro stop. Doreen went on to wait for me by Notre Dame:

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

But my hat was still there, as you can tell after we ambled over to the Palais Royle during our postprandial stroll:

From Marche au Puce, Train Bleu, more

And we fly home tomorrow.

C'est tout!