I broke out of my usual restaurant rut and tried a new restaurant that I had seen in a post on Instagram. The restaurant Le Troquet Garonne was a little farther out than I usually venture – it is about a 1.5 mile walk from my apartment. The walk is very nice as it is along the banks of the Garonne.

It was a good choice. The menu was fairly limited and did not have a formule (entree, plat and dessert) but still offered a good choice of options to eat. they did have a number of planche (board of options to share) but those were too much for me as an appetizer (French entree). I ended up ordering Steak Frites (that is not what they call it here in Toulouse – Bavette is the steak part.

I have to say that the frites are amazing here in France. These were crisp and perfectly cooked. I do not think I have had a bad frite on any of my trips to France so far. Some are thicker and cooked in duck fat which are just as good as the thin crispy ones.

For dessert, I had chocolate mousse with chocolate crumbles on the top. The crumbles were a nice balance to the rich chocolate smoothness of the mousse.

I had a quarter carafe of the house red wine. I like to go with the house wine when I can because I assume it is local and what a regular family would consume at home. It always amazes me at how affordable it is. The quarter carafe was five euros.

The whole evening was very enjoyable. The restaurant is very popular with groups and families on Saturday night. There were two large groups, one I know was celebrating a birthday as they sang happy birthday as the person arrived. It seemed like a very neighborhood restaurant which is always nice. Also, I knew it had to be good as it was packed.

I am always doubtful of this but the waitress told me my French was very good. Not sure if they are just being polite or actually mean it. I am glad when they say it but am skeptical. I did most of the conversation in French except when she asked me where I was from and that came out in English. I do think I am getting more comfortable in the French that I need for daily life. I no longer stumble or revert to English and most of the people I interact with do not revert to English when I speak to them. I guess that is all an improvement.

Earlier in the day, I had to do some shopping as I had run out of lunch food. Also, the small wins in life, I went to the Monoprix by the Marchè Victor Hugo and found the cereal I had been looking for since I had been back. I know that is not much but I was looking for a non-American brand, not sweet cereal other than Muesli and had not found one. I had this option in the past but could not find it at the other grocery stores and found it at the Monoprix. Now I can have my fruit and cereal breakfast and be happy.

The post picture is from my walk home on the banks of the Garonne. It was a beautiful night to walk.