This post is part of Gwen Bell’s Best of 2009 challenge.  Yes, it’s technically my third post of the day, but I love the first two prompts of the challenge (from December 1 and 2) too much to let them slide away!

December 2 Restaurant moment. Share the best restaurant experience you had this year. Who was there? What made it amazing? What taste stands out in your mind?

Without a doubt, this year’s best dining experience took place at Le Dôme Bastille on my birthday in Paris.  Although I’m usually the type to agonize over my restaurant choices, we ended up at this one by total default and couldn’t have been happier!  It was the best salmon I’ve ever eaten (and I come from the Pacific Northwest, mind you), delicious wine and the most fantastic service ever.

We had just spent the better part of a chilly evening standing in line at the Eiffel Tower, more than an hour or so on the observation deck on top, and then another hour or so making our way down using the stairs (as a revolt against the long elevator lines) and capturing the 9:30pm sunset.  In other words, we didn’t make it to the restaurant until about a quarter to 11pm, we were starving and had no reservations.  After repeating a French phrase from my Lonely Planet to the hostess, we were shown to a table and treated to a first class meal.  There were no menus available, the day’s dishes were written up on a large chalkboard, which was moved from table to table.   Even though we were the last ones to finish up our meals, we were not hurried one bit by the wait staff and were able to savor every bite.  Fantastic and yummy and perfect. (From June 25, 2009).

That was truly a happy birthday!