Today was the last full day of my European adventure. We slept in and then the three of us went to brunch at La Sardine, which was a short and fresh (read: cold) walk from the apartment. We got there around 11:30am and ordered coffee first. When we asked the one waiter/barista about brunch, he said that we had to wait until noon. So we watched him update the chalkboard menus and prepare. He then put his jacket and motorcycle helmet on. A bit confused but not too fazed by this, he walked outside and then quickly back in to tell us that he was going to go pick up the bread and that when he gets back we could order. I loved this, and even more so watching him roll up with a huge bag of baguettes on his motorcycle. He was nice to look at too.
We then had a really good brunch with œufs, potatoes, coleslaw, and a salad. Unlike brunch in the US, the brunch menu was that, no options. The other ladies had meat that I was able to substitute with roasted peppers. The motorcycle bread was really good as well. We were pleasantly surprised when he brought us pancakes with Canadian maple syrup, supposedly for brunch dessert. I loved the little Duralex water glasses we drank out of, which are apparently very typical French.
Jenna and I said bye to Sophie for the day and headed to Montmartre. We took the funiculaire up to La Basilique du Sacré Cœur, walked around inside, and then soaked in the views of the city from the steps. We walked down the steps and only once we were at the bottom realized that the artists square (Place du Tertre) we wanted to go to was at the same level as the basilica, so we walked back up and got our exercise. Along all the side streets there were lots of tourist shops as well as nicer stores. We hopped in a few on our way back up the hill. At the top we found the square with all of the artists and portraitists. I bought a little painting and Jenna posed for a portrait.
Near the square we rested inside a cafe for a bit - I sipped on champagne and Jenna on hot wine. We then headed back down the hill and picked up some last minute souvenirs. I think we're both pretty happy with our purchases overall.
Our dinner spot was recommended by Darcy and Jeani who liked going there when they studied abroad here in college. Le Refuges de Fondues is known for serving wine in baby bottles. What I didn't expect was having to step over the table to sit down. It's two long lines of tables with no spaces in between, so the person sitting on the bench by the wall literally has to step over boiling pots of fondue and neighbors inches away. At first I thought the waiter was kidding. Sure enough he was not. I made it safely over both times. The food was really good as was the wine. We both bought a baby bottle as a memento. I loved that when you walk in you're told to hang your coat, step over the table (with the waiters helping you), and are asked two questions - red or white? and cheese or meat? We shared a cheese fondue and both had red wine in our baby bottles. It was a really good meal, and we both agreed it best to walk most of the way home afterwards.
We're now packing our things and getting ready for a very early wake-up call. My first flight is at 7:50am to London and I have quite a long layover there before heading back to San Francisco.
Au revoir!
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