Wednesday I had another one of my split session sleeps, being awake from 1-4 am, returning to bed until 7. So, we cut a trip to La Samana to view the Richardson gallery out of the day's plans.
Mrs, Cruzer had unfinished business with the "bag lady" at the Marigot Market Silly me thought she might exchange the batik patched bag she bought last time, but she purchsed another one very similar in design, but more colorful, plus a lightweight fabric shoulderbag. At least I got a Presidente out of the trip, though I had to share that. MC also bought some black seeds and black seed oil, which is supposed to be nigella, a fairly tasty seed.
Market purchases completed, we head to Orange Grove for our lunch at Le Champagne and a visit with Sylvain. I had requested he put a bottle of Weinbach Pinot Blanc in the cooler earlier, which is our go-to wine there for lunch. Turns out, that was the last bottle and he was saving it for me, as he only orders 2 or 3 cases once a year, and the supply lasts all year.
We started off with beef carpaccio, which was the best yet this trip. Drizzled with a mild pesto sauce, with shaved parmagiano and pine nuts, it was a great start to the meal. But by this time over half the wine is gone. Have to slow down as there is no more available.
My lunch was a duck shepherds pie, ample duck slices in a cream sauce that surrounded the potatoes, topped under the broiler with a cheese crust. Excellent. MC had a grouper filet on a bed of leek fondue. We finished sharing a creme brulee, and Sylvain treated us each to a glass of Monbeziallac. Overall, a very satisfying meal, and well worth repeating.
For some reason we never got in the water Wednesday, but did make up for it Thursday. My cramps seem to have gone away, which I attribute to a Potassium shortage, an element found in bananas, so I've been partaking of bananas in the form of medicinal BBCs, which I'm sure is covered by Medicare. BBCs can easily kill my appetite, so I have to go easy here.
Thursday was a laze about the resort kind of day, but we managed a return visit to Nice for lunch. MC had the usual beef carpaccio with fries, and I had the onion tart with a nordic salad--smoked salmon, barely seared tuna slices, and marinated shrimp over a bed of greens. We do manage to consume a bit of raw protein when we're on this island.
Now that I think about it, Nice does not offer the complimentary infused rum after dinner. Good thing I have Ma Dou Dou back in the room.
We stopped by the chocolate/coffee shop on the way back to the room. We have now found our dessert place. Their sweets are way better than Bounty, so we'll get our morning baked goods from Bounty and our sweets here.
Back to the room, in the water, and off to the Guest Mixer, nee Manager's Cocktail Party. They do put out a very nice array of tapas, so this was our dinner snack.
It's interesting how many couples we have met--I want to say 5 or 6--who have been married 45-50 years. Not 44, not 51, but 45-50. We're coming upon our 46th shortly as well.
A couple of pix. The view from our room, Pablo T. Cat, and our meals at Nice for Carol who requested food pix, with these being practice for our Dinner at L' Auberge Gourmande tonight.
I can see why you wanted to get into your room, as the view from your room is amazing! We will have to try to get to Nice sometime, as the food looks amazing! Thanks for taking us along, yet again.
Carol as you cross the bridge to enter town, it's about the 3rd restaurant on the right. The first is Korner, then a pizza place, and then Nice in a relatively unappealing store front. It's a short walk from thee Pressoir parking lot.
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