Benoît, Paris

The best evening of my life. After fighting off an attempted pick pocketing in the Metro and Martinis and tapas at the Ritz, we arrive a Benoit. The place is bustling and I say to the Hostess �bonsoir, une r�servation pour Monsieur Coqueron,� I nail it. As we walk they sweep up Jen�s coat. We are immediately sat a little table and brought wine. We peruse the menu as we wait for our table. Jen tells the head waiter �we have been told we you have the very best Cassoulet.� �Ah� replies the waiter and describes the beans, sausage, and duck confit like a proud parent. I see a raw salmon entr�e and know we will have to try it. Our table is ready and we are seated. The waiter asks shall he �bring the salmon for two�, �no, lets split something else also,� I respond. I am soaking up the place while Jen is looking at the menu. Jen says �how about some foie gras?� Looking at Jen, inexplicitly I am drawn to the headwaiter�s reflection in the mirror behind her. The move should have a name, but it was textbook. The immaculately dressed headwaiter stiffens, maybe slightly up on his toes, bring his right fist to mouth, his pointer finger bent, pressing the joint between the knuckle at the base of the hand and the next knuckle to his mouth, I hear a slight excited gasp. By the way, we got the foie gras. Attempted mugging in the Metro, well okay that was free, Martini at the Ritz $28 Euro, a red rose garnish, included in the price of a wine, dinner at Benoit, pricey, seeing your first real Enraptured French Waiter, priceless. The Cassoulet is delicious, the very best in Paris, I will have to get back and do some research. Dinner is matched with oddly big Cotes du Rhone, perfect for the main dish. We share a luscious desert of g�teau de choclate that was like a dream and only now creeps back into my conciseness. The waiter, the second of the three who served us, brings a small bucket of freshly made vanilla, with a hint of something else wonderful, ice cream. He place two dainty spoonfuls on the plate, and I give him the international hand/finger motion for more. And but of course, deux caf�. Leaving the place I am throwing around tips like I am at a strip club.