serendipity

For those of you who don't know, I"m a vegetarian.  I became one back in 2005 due to health reasons.  I felt so much better that I've never looked back.  It does however, at times, become a bit of a problem.  Finding vegetarian choices in the United States is not so much of a problem but when traveling it can be more of a challenge.

Currently my husband and I are on a ten day tour of Northern France, enjoying the sights, sounds, and history of the Picardy and Normandy regions.  Sadly I've discovered that many times there is not much of an option for vegetarians.  I've eaten a lot of salad crudite, pain et fromage, and green salad.  All, I must confess, quite delicious, but sometimes it gets boring to eat the same thing over and over.  When asking at a restaurant if they serve vegetarian meals and having the hostess start with poisson -- fish -- is not a hopeful beginning.  I did have one bad aftermath from a meal of vegetables that apparently were cooked in a meat broth, I paid for that the next day with abdominal distress.

So tonight was an absolute delight.  We stopped at Restaurant de la Halles in Lyon de Foret looking for dinner of some kind.  Our server inquired of the chef if he could accomodate a vegetarian.  His proposed menu was a dish of asparagus and green beans accompanied with a leek and potato creme fraiche gratin.  Delicious?  This meal was wonderful and one of the most satisfying I've had on the entire trip.  I ate every bit and seriously wanted to lick the dish that those potatoes were cooked in.  My husband had a fish dish that he said was very delicious.  Thank you sir for a delicious meal and for being so thoughtful.  Thank you also for the amazing Poire belle Helene that I shared with my husband for dessert.

I don't limit my travel due to my dietary restrictions, however I am always pleased when I find a restaurant that is willing to be so accommodating (and creates such good food).