After having a nice drive around Champagne, we returned to Reims and dropped the rental car off at Gare de Reims. We took a roundabout way back to the hotel, mainly because there was once place I wanted see. Around the back of the train station is a street named Rue President Franklin Roosevelt. There is a red brick building that still functions as a schoolhouse to this day. You'll see the flags of the UK, US, France, and the Soviet Union flying out front.
Walk up to the doorway and you'll see this sign…..
The top sign basically says: “It is here that on 7 May 1945, was signed the act that ended the Second World War in Europe.” Yes, this is the spot where Germany surrendered. You can read Ralph Morse's first hand account here. This street was renamed for Franklin Roosevelt as was the school it houses which still operates.
Nearby is the War Memorial of Reims (Monument aux Morts de Reims).
And right across the way is the Cimetière du Nord, which had a quite haunting look to us as we walked through it.
From here we walked past some of the more important locales in the city like Place Royale…..
There was quite a bit of road and other work going on so I didn't take many photos.
And the sun seemed to set quite rapidly……
We returned to the hotel, freshened up, changed, and headed off to dinner. I'd made reservations at a contemporary bistro named Anna-S – La Table Amoureuse, which seemed quite low-keyed, had an interesting menu, and seemed just right for this evening.
Of course things started off some Champagne.
We weren't very hungry, so we decided to share an appetizer, the Missus ordered another appetizer as Her main and I got one of the entrees, to share with Her of course.
The service was wonderful and accommodating.
We started with, well, the Foie Gras of course, two ways, the terrine was wonderful, rich and creamy, the fig compote and the brioche proved to be a wonderful foil for the richness.
The Missus ordered the Noix de Petoncles dans son Mini Potirron.
Basically, sautéed scallops served in a pumpkin. The scallops were very sweet and tender, I was a bit leery about the fennel sauce, but the strong anise flavor had been decently tempered and the acidity lifted the dish as did the rather sweet flesh of the pumpkin.
I ordered the Magret de Canard, the Duck Breast.
I was concerned when this arrived as the duck seemed to be cooked a bit past where I prefer, but it was very tender, slightly gamey, the jus had a nice balance of richness, sweetness, and acidity. We both really loved the potato galette.
The dessert was a game-changer for the Missus. It was a cheese course. Over time we've really forgotten what we chose; but we won't forget this specific cheese course.
First off, all the cheese on the cart, which was sliced tableside were at the perfect serving temperature….the flavors were amazing. Second, the Missus had always avoided having the sweet compote with the cheese; but since this was served at room temperature, all the wonderful complex flavors came through and the compote just helped to elevate things. So thank you AnnaS, for setting the Missus off on the interesting "cheese ride" we're on.
The service was fantastic, professional, polished, but not stuffy. This was a very nice meal and we'd gladly eat here again!
Anna-S – La Table Amoureuse
6 Rue Gambetta
51100 Reims, France
Like the previous evening, we took a pleasant little stroll after dinner, in the peace and quiet of Reims.
Thanks for stopping by!
great day of food and sights!
It was a very nice day Kat!
Everything looks delicious.
It was quite good Junichi…..as was the service!