The facts and a fine Italian evening in Paris

The hot weather reminded me that Bacco, a relatively new fancy Italian resto in our neighborhood, is air conditioned – sort of.  So I made a reservation via lafourchette.com -- with a 30 percent discount.

We were warmly greeted when we arrived.  We think we were remembered, but I’m sure the database maintained by lafourchette.com helps to prod the restaurant owners’ memories.  That’s all well and good, if you ask me.

We were seated at the same table we always have when we dine at Bacco -- by the front window.  Our shared starter course, a Burratina (Italian cheese served with raw vegetables and fine Parma ham) was beautiful and delicious.

The Burratina at Restaurant Bacco

Tom had a tender and tasty onglet of beef that was served in medallions, and I had a barely seared red tuna and vegetable croustillant that was superb.  Dessert was a glorious tiramisu that I should have photographed but did not.

By the time we left, the restaurant was filling up with people and the air conditioning was struggling to keep up.  We paid the bill before we melted and then had a pleasant stroll home.

There is another, less fancy, new Italian place nearby, on the picturesque Place Etienne Pernet, which we will try tonight.  We’ve passed by there during the dinner hour recently, and it looks promising.

Italian olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and sparkling
water at Restaurant Bacco

Today I arose early and went for a 10,000 step hike before the heat and humidity intensified.  Tom went for a mid-day walk that was a little less demanding.  Both of our walks involved ambling through the outdoor market under the Grenelle tracks.  I saw it in the morning as the vendors were setting up; Tom saw it in late morning, when it was going full swing, but still was not too crowded because it was Wednesday, not Sunday.

Yesterday, Tom had ventured out solo to go to his second doctor’s appointment of this summer (just routine). 

After Tom’s appointment, we had another pleasant French pharmacy experience in which Tom bought a month’s supply of his blood pressure medication for 4.20 euros.  This isn’t the co-pay; this is the entire amount.  Health care, including prescription medication, is far less expensive here than in the U.S.  An ordinary office visit with the doctor, with a full 20 minutes of the doctor’s time, is only 85 euros.  Again, this is not the co-pay; this is the FULL cost.  This is not a political statement folks; these are facts.

Tom is very pleased with his primary care doctor here in France.  He wishes there was someone just like her in Fort Myers or Sanibel.