Le Boeuf Marin

June 6, 2014

 As a special treat in celebration of our French family adventure, we booked dinner at the self-proclaimed best restaurant in Carmaux. Chef Eric promised to cook especially for our family though I'm not certain he anticipated all the twists and turns we ushered into his restaurant. Everyone dressed up a little as we planned a family photo.

 We gathered on the terrace for cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres as Joshua prepared the camera for the photo.

After corralling the kids, the photograph was snapped and we went off to the quaint Le Boeuf Marin. The town was bustling as it was the evening of some kind of marathon for all age groups. The streets and the main square were full of participants and spectators and a festive atmosphere permeated the air.

Le Boeuf had been prepared for us with a table in the center of the restaurant while Chef Eric, his wife, his son and his daughter stood by to make the evening memorable. After a bit of discussion, everyone chose the prix fix menu and the wine was selected. The children, looking like angels, were on their best behavior with the promise of a Kinder Egg at the conclusion of the meal when disaster struck. First Roby and then Canon had serious bathroom issues that kept their parents occupied for a length of time. Luckily, neither child was phased by the experience and both returned to the table clean and ready to nibble at the beautiful food prepared just for them.

 After the clean up though, their parents were ready for copious amounts of wine!

From amuse-bouche to dessert the meal was delicious and perfectly prepared. The chef and his family could not have been more accommodating as the little ones were whisked away to the restroom and a complete cleansing of the highchair was required between courses.

Many toasts were offered but the most unexpected one was made by Chef Eric. He produced a bottle of champagne and proposed a toast to the United States for our assistance in freeing the French during the occupation of World War II. Indeed it was D Day and there had been celebrations all day in Normandy. Presumably Chef Eric was a small boy on June 6, 1944 but one could feel his heartfelt thanks for the sacrifices made by many Americans on that fateful day.

The choices for dessert proved to be too difficult so the group chose an assortment to share and it was fortuitous. Each was sensational and every morsel was consumed. With the bill paid and profuse thanks tendered, we joined the throngs still milling about the square to allow Roby and Rider some time to run. Almost immediately the children joined a group of French kids and proceeded to play the "run and chase" game which transcends all language barriers. It is DNA wired into all children of a particular age.

We stayed a bit as the crowd thinned and the square cleared. As we left, the street cleaners were already hard at work because the next day was a market day and the space had to be ready for the vendors. We walked the few blocks to the cars and made the short drive to Combefa. Everyone agreed it had been, indeed, a memorable night and a special way to end our trip.