To dine inside, outside or in a restaurant - quelle problème!
We are shortly off to France, staying in houses and bed and breakfasts, and we have encountered a minor difference of opinion as to whether we should dine in the house we have rented or in town on our first night there. I am somewhat ashamed of the fact that we have to argue about this at all - well not argue - that's much too strong a word. Debate might be better. I mean what a problem to have. It's very first world is it not? The pictures above show the kitchen and the dining table beyond (if it's raining or cold), as against one of the tables at which we can eat outside - by the pool. It's a house, but it looks like a luxury hotel. And there are other options outside as well.
I think the lakeside might be better for a snack or a drink but the other table looks a perfectly valid option.
I think the six of us who are staying in the house are more or less agreed on wanting to both eat at 'home' and eat out in the local restaurants, but to a lesser and greater degree. I have a friend who really just wants to cook 'at home' on such holidays because she wants to use the local produce. She is not coming with us this time. Another friend, who will be in the house with us, likes to mostly eat out because he is in France to eat French food. And I sort of agree with him. However much the produce may differ the home cook is the same and therefore the food cooked by that person will most likely have their personal stamp on it rather than the country's. However, virtually all of the houses we have ever stayed in have at least one stunning outside eating area, and it would seem such a pity to waste it. Particularly as it means that you don't have to drive down French country lanes in the dark and you can drink as much as you like. Not that we would drink over much, but just possibly a little too much to be driving. If you are at home this does not matter. And it costs less too. No carping about who ate what (because we usually just split the price of meals out equally between the participants), no carping about whether the food was good or not, or good value or not. Again though - what a first world problem.
This house is just outside the truly beautiful little town of Narbonne, which has hundreds of cafés and restaurants I suspect. I mean what could be nicer than passing the time of day - or night - in the south of France, watching the world go by and indulging in French delicacies cooked by real French chefs. The trick, of course is in finding the right place. But we have Trip Advisor, Michelin, the owner of the house and the previous occupants too, to help us with our selection, so I have every faith that we shall find several wonderful places in which to dine.
But should we do it on our first night? For this is what the argument is about. We shall have had only one night in France, and will probably still be a bit jet-lagged, in spite of a stop-off in Dubai. Our friends do not arrive until the early evening, so surely, you would think, that they would want to settle in, relax, unwind, get to know each other. For there is one guest who is unknown to four of us. The argument against dining in is that it is too much hard work for the cook. But in France this is not true - the main dish is the only one that needs to be cooked - and really if you were lazy you could buy ready-cooked meals too from the traiteurs But there are wonderful terrines, patés and suchlike on sale, not to mention the patisserie for dessert, the cheese and the bread.
But what a problem to have. I am really a little ashamed of this post - parading a trip to France from the other side of the world for all to see. The house is really very cheap though, so if you are going some time soon look it up. It's called Domaine de Saint Domingue and it looks just gorgeous. I am so looking forward to this. The pool is all ours alone! There are six of us, though the house can accommodate eight.
