19 November 2007

A night out in Monte Carlo - 4


We're in the American bar. How I wished I could have taken several photographs here. It's a beautiful room, dimly lit as you see. There's a wonderful long bar, a piano player in the far corner, elegant waiters - but mostly it's the clientele I'd wanted to photograph: a striking lady - of un certain age - elegant grey hair, a great slash of the reddest lipstick, a blond mink draped over her chair. Older men with gorgeous girls - wasn't it ever thus? A group of five young men with a dog jumping up for treats. . Now really I should have asked them if I could photograph the dog for Riviera Dogs but I was enjoying my champagne too much. The place was packed, the buzz palpable. A great place to sit and people-watch - but discreetly, doncha know? And really you can't take photographs...

We are drinking pink champagne. All the goodies on the table come with the drinks. In the foreground, to the right, you see a local speciality, particularly in Nice and Menton, called Barbajuan. Literally, Uncle John in Niçois, these are a sort of fried ravioli, usually stuffed with Swiss chard (a sort of spinach) and ricotta cheese. They are served warm and you dip them in the spicy orange sauce you see to the left. There are olives with garlic. The little green things look like peas and are crunchy. And the sticks in the background are light as air.

And yes, my companion smokes. Not sure what he'll do on the first of January when smoking is banned in restaurants and bars in France and I believe in Monaco too. He lives in Monaco where I'm told it is even to be banned in the streets as well, but honestly I find that hard to believe - how would they police it?

10 comments:

Kate said...

Jilly, It sounds like a fun evening. You behaved yourself??

Ann (MobayDP) said...

Oh I wish you had stolen a lot of photos in this place :) It looks absolutely posh and rich! :-D

Mayhap your companion will either have to quit smoking altogether or will just have to learn how to steal a smoke? ;-D

Felicia said...

Oh what fun! Your description is sumptuous. When smoking was first banned in California in bars and restaurants there was quite a fuss and then many of the bars put seating outside for the smokers.

Lynette said...

Wow, what a great time I've had with you in Monte Carlo!

Wayne said...

Oh thank the Heavens Above... there is my drink! Totally smashing time tonight Jilly. I cannot remember the last cyber tour I have enjoyed as much as the caves and the American club. I can't wait to see what pics you have 'snuck' of the beautiful people tomorrow!
Thanks,
Wayne

Fabrizio Zanelli said...

Nice to take us into this lap of luxury :-) --- Everything it's very interesting and I like it also because it isn't forbidden to dream :-)

Teri said...

Wow, gilded chairs and orchids in the washroom - a wonderful tonic for a dreary November. Could your little green peas have been wasabi crackers?

Jilly said...

Teri, you know they could have been. I think you are right!

And Kate, of course I was good. Would I ever be otherwise?!

And Ann, I don't think C will ever quit smoking unfortunately. He should of course.

Anonymous said...

I bet it wasn't as cheap as a night out in the Chichester Arms!

Ming the Merciless said...

Hmm! What a beautiful photo of a night out.

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