If you have never attended a fete hosted by the French Library of Boston, you don’t know what you are missing. Wine tastings, art exhibits, book signings and their famous Bastille Day Celebration — which sadly is no longer the extravagant street fair that it once was (you can blame their Marlborough Street neighbors) — have always provided cherished memories. Oh, and their language classes are equally engaging and entertaining.
So, yesterday’s Jazz / Beaujolais Nouveau celebration was no exception.
Festivities began at 6:00 PM sharp at Brasserie Jo Boston in the Colonnade Hotel with a French 75 cocktail. Most of which I drank, but sadly some of the nectar found its way to the floor as I got reacquainted with some old friends from the library, Sandrine Nguyen ba and Nicole Malo. (Mes excuses. Le verre était très plein)
The jazz music wafted through the air as freely as the wine poured.
We started with Rose d’Anjou and Muscadet with seared salmon with wilted spinach and potatoes au gratin. And we finished with traditional Beaujolais style reds (with a touch of Syrah) to a hearty Chateneuf du Pape with pork bellies and sauerkraut. Yes, pork bellies are not just reserved for day traders anymore.
The only thing hotter than the food and cooler than the wine and jazz were the great new friendships that we made. Leaving, however, was met with a bit of sadness.
I was reminded about how much fun I have at French Library events and how seldom I attend them.
Sounds like a 2010 resolution to me, you think?
