Matthew Gray Writes: ☼ FRIENDS, FOOD, LAUGHTER, AND ALIGOT ☼

“Aligot?” “What the heck is aligot?” you ask…

It’s, quite simply, something you already love, and similar to something we all aspire to; the cheesiest, creamiest, smoothest and sexiest mashed potatoes of all time.

There’s a certain pomp and ceremony, and celebratory gusto, as our Maître D conjures up this most-luscious side-dish served at Ambassade d’Auvergne, table-side. A forgotten art (in lieu of the Almighty Buck), the whole tableside thing. Many of you remember Caesar salad, Bananas Foster, Cherries Jubilee, Crepes Suzette, and how wonderful that was. Well, aligot is done right before your eyes (just Google aligot to see) here, and it made the night that much more special.

Of course, being surrounded by loved ones doesn’t hurt either. Lin Kensington, my best gal, Sandra and Rene – two of the finest humans I know, from Rotterdam (who came down to Paris to see us; {I performed their Wedding ceremony on the beach in Honolulu on New Year’s Eve 2013, BTW): – lots more with them next week up in the Netherlands!)

Accompanying us are two more best friends, Paris-based Marcela and (Chef) Alfredo, the owners of my favorite restaurant in Paris, Restaurant Mariette (more on that later as well).

Marcela is from Colombia, Alfredo from Venezuela, who were our personal tour guides for much of our Parisian stay. They blow me away, these two. They speak multiple languages (there it is again, my language envy is showing), know everything about the history of Paris, and, not to mention, run a great restaurant, just the two of them. Alfredo’s food knowledge is second to none.

As long as Restaurant Mariette is operating, I will always go there when in Paris.

So, instead of boring you with too many words, I’ll simply caption a bunch of the photos, ok? Enjoy…

Sandra and Rene from Rotterdam
Sandra and Rene from Rotterdam
Chef Alfredo and Marcela
Chef Alfredo and Marcela
Lin with the Eiffel Tower in the background
Lin with the Eiffel Tower in the background
The City of Light blows my mind, every time.
The City of Light blows my mind, every time.
Alt=Me at the Lourve
Me at the Lourve
The Bar inside the Hotel de Lourve
The Bar inside the Hotel de Lourve
Lin and Marcela being beautiful and happy
Lin and Marcela being beautiful and happy
Marcela, Alfredo and Me
Marcela, Alfredo and Me
Chef Alfredo and Marcela
Chef Alfredo and Marcela
Restaurant Mariette, the best in Paris!
Restaurant Mariette, the best in Paris!
Restaurant Mariette, the best in Paris!
Restaurant Mariette, the best in Paris!
Restaurant Mariette, the best in Paris!
Restaurant Mariette, the best in Paris!
Restaurant Mariette, the best in Paris!
Restaurant Mariette, the best in Paris!
Lin at Restaurant Mariette, the best in Paris!
Lin at Restaurant Mariette, the best in Paris!
Me, at Restaurant Mariette, the best in Paris!
Me, at Restaurant Mariette, the best in Paris!
Marcela, giving me "the look!"
Marcela, giving me “the look!”

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