Apologies for the lack of posts in the past three days. Taking advantage of Francois` oh so rare time off.....
Friday would normally be our time to look forward to relaxing after a long week, with cocktails and good things to eat. But with Francois’ schedule at the Military School we are never sure when the end of his day will be nor if his week will be Monday to Friday. This was one of those weeks. I could sense that he was getting a bit weary of the long days so suggested we take a break and find some pleasant place to dine and spend a couple of hours relaxing.
It hasn’t been easy finding authentic French dining places as this is the time when Parisians leave the city and close their shops. This is also the time when tourists flood the streets of Paris by the thousands. The area we are staying in (Saint-Germain de Près) is a popular and well known part of Paris for tourists. It`s very centrally located and one of the areas where shops and restaurants will remain open. But not necessarily what we would see as authentic places.
But....right across the street from us...Heureux Comme Alexandre (www.heureuxcommealexandre.com) 
And I mean that close I could take a picture from our apartment...is a tiny fondue place frequented by locals – very quaint, small and a little quirky.
As with the Bicycle Thief in Halifax, Nova Scotia (as referenced in the posting Mardi / Tuesday Repose) Heureux Comme Alexandre derives its name from the 1966 French film Alexandre le Bienheuruex. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1jw60_alexandre-le-bienheureux_fun ) .....a little side note: wouldn't mind spending our first weekend back in Montreal like this :-)
It is closed up tight during the day but toward late afternoon, I can hear from our place bustling and clinking of tables being set for the evening service.
As Francois would be working the following day (Saturday) he wanted some place close, relaxed with good food. This fit all the criteria so away we went, early enough so it wasn't too busy (normal dining time here seems be peak around 10:00).
There are only 3 options on their menu: La Fondue Bourguignonne (beef), Fondue Savoyarde (with cheese), La Pierrade (meal cooked on a stone plate). Inexpensive, decent wine list, meals served with all you can eat roast potatoes, a large platter of salad and at least 6 different dipping sauces. Simple, good and relaxing fun.
Francois also thought that piglet should be getting some of the pictorial action so the Major was brought along for a photo op.
...we talked, laughed, relaxed and really enjoyed...
