under.the.wisteria.tree

you did many things today but this is probably the highlight of the day

you wanted to celebrate today in a different restaurant but you came here restaurant benaton instead.  a restaurant with the ambition to reach a star and has an outdoor dining area under the wisteria tree..

 the bread is served

 together with the french salted butter

 your amuse bouche - a poached mini quail egg in chilled soup and a slice of salmon. they compliment each other well

starter foie gras de canard, only the foie grase come in the shape of apple (or cherry). it's coated with the cassis jelly and definitely a generous portion (way bigger than a cherry)

 your half pigeon, taste very earthy and the mushroom makes it woody but the fava beans balance the palate.  in fact it's not at all too earthy for a warm day like this.

 selection of northern cheese, you are full by now but you could still taste the cheese and they are all to your delight

 the finale - a raspberry sorbet in a tube

 and needless to say it's way too much for you to finish, so you just sample a bit and it does clean the palate very well....

and of course all good great meal should end with an espresso.

the meal is very interesting and exciting, you could almost feel that you're dining under a star if not because the waiters are a little clumsy. they are doing their very best but keep spilling your wine on the table.

you feel blessed that you're able to spend your birthday in the heartland of france, at burgundy region, a place that you have been wanted to come for years.  you decided this is how you're going to spend your birthday in the future, going somewhere new and celebrating by soaking in what the place can offer and be adventurous.  you're a summer baby after all.  that said, you thanked God for the another year He added to your life and you know you cannot take life for granted, every day you life is a gift from God.