Restaurant Le Vivarais Lyon
Photo © Anne-Marie Minhall
My word, I slept for my country on my first night away.
It had been a long day &, after checking into my hotel on Place Bellecour mid-afternoon, I headed to a familiar supermarket for supplies. You see there was a plan for my time away.
Lunch - out.
Supper - in.
There was a fridge in my cosy, comfy & spacious hotel room. By early evening it was well stocked with some Comté cheese, a few slices of jambon & the last of the day's freshly baked bread rolls. There was also a bottle of Côtes du Rhône purchased which had come from a vineyard about half an hour away from the centre of Lyon. Tired but happy with some tasty treats close to hand. An early night ensued.
The first full day in Lyon & the sun is shining. Time to get reacquainted with this gastronomic capital.. It's also my first pre-booked lunch of the holiday. I was headed here ..
https://www.restaurant-levivarais.fr
A five or six minute walk from where I am. A new place to try & I wasn't disappointed.
The poor guy who welcomed me was the first to experience my revived (slightly) French. He was very accomodating & understanding. The table was a top spot for people-watching. My prop was a newspaper but it was hardly needed as there was much activity to observe from both customers & waiters alike. Discreetly.
Some laughter & general conviviality coming from those eating ..
Some indistinguishable mutterings & occasional raising of eyebrows from those charged with looking after us ..
The menu of the day was great value, the Menu du Marché coming in at 23 Euros. Two courses.
A simple but really tasty Lyonnaise Green Salad with some Smoked Ham & Beetroot to begin.
The main event was a Hanger Steak with a crispy Potato Cake & Seasonal Vegetables. The gravy I could have had a mug full of.
As the lunch service started to come to an end, our chef, our patron, came out from the kitchen to say: "Bonjour" to his customers. I had the shortest conversation with my restricted French. I believe that I communicated that I had enjoyed his food very much, that I was happy to be back in Lyon & that I wish I had studied this beautiful language more post-school. He smiled, he disappeared from my table rapidly soon after.
A carafe of a local vin rouge was also involved in that lunch. By 1.30pm, I was replete & the chef chat had worn me out, obviously. It was time for a long walk by the Saône River which flows for about 300 miles from the Vosges Mountains to the junction with the Rhône in Lyon. Blue skies, it's a big sky here.
Once back at the hotel it was time to watch the French version of Come Dine With Me. I know how to live, but, you know ..
C'était fantastique.
AMM
