Although it isn't a bright day and temperatures aren't warm, today is a good day. Today, I met up with friends for lunch.
On a cold foggy day like today in the nation's capital, a great place for a meal is Bistrot du Coin.
An authentic neighborhood French bistro, this place carries good and quick continental delights with incredibly reasonable prices. Located in the Dupont Circle area, from the metro you have to walk up the hill toward the Capital Hilton to find it.
From the outside, the exterior is misleading. It looks quite small. Once you enter the eatery, the casual observer will recognize that typical European music playing in the background in that typical French cafe atmosphere. The walls are painted from tan to pale yellow. Everything French line up against the walls, and red and blue napkins are arranged evenly on the tables. The atmosphere is conducive for good conversations. The restaurant holds an upstairs section and is quite long in length.
Surprisingly, the wait staff usually is very friendly and attentive. Most, if not all, waiters speak French or are native French speakers. My waiter was patient and accommodating. He instantly gave me a table. Today, the bistro opened at 11:30 am and the staff allowed me to come in at 11:25 am before my friends and co-workers arrived. They did not show up until around 12 or a little later. While I was waiting, people slowly enter and fill the restaurant. I noticed an older gentleman wearing a brown French beret. Possibly an expatriate or someone perpetrating the role as a native Frenchman?
The restaurant carries great seafood. Our favorites are the mussels, found under the Moules Festival section. We come here 3 or 4 times during the year for those bowls of mussels and to catch up with each other's lives.
Along with our main meal, we ordered a side of french fries for the table. They are that good too. You can have them as a meal.
I order the Moules provençales a la facon Hiba. The bowl of mussels and broth contains tomatoes, thyme and garlic. Lots of garlic. I have to remember to grab my toothbrush and mouthwash when I get back to the office. If I forget, it's worth the ordeal if I'm treated as a temporary outcast among colleagues.
It is a fairly short wait for our meals. When that bowl finally arrived at the table, the warmth of the broth warmed my chilled bones.
Did I tell you that I like the mussels? Yes, today is a good day.
Thank God.
25The [uncompromisingly] righteous eats to his own satisfaction,
but the stomach of the wicked is in want.
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