M'aitre D' Indeed!

As we wound down our tour of the Louvre, our stomachs were growling. We talked about going to the food court at the mall in the Carrousel de Louvre, but I couldn't bear the thought of more strange medium-fast food.

The Grand Restraunt Louvre located on the lower level of the building looked like a good choice, and it was. The food was very nice, I had salmon in some kind of butter sauce of loveliness. Isabella had steak hache and frites, oh and a brownie and ice cream desert.

But, the best part was the spectacular M'aitre D'. I'd heard about it being a calling in France, that it's a serious professional pursuit, but I had yet to see it fully in action. The man who was in charge, was really in charge.

Not a moment went by where he wasn't tending to new people walking in the door, or setting a table or generally making sure the staff was where they needed to be. We watched and counted the seconds between when a group of people entered the restaurant and either understood to wait or just waltzed in and tried to seat themselves. It usually took him less than 20 seconds to attend to everyone.

He was unfailingly nice, but very clear to those who seated themselves that it would be just two minutes as he pointed out the groups of people waiting. He made time to chat with Isabella and each of the older Spanish threesome at our next table.

Mr. M'aitre D' was all business, charm and sass, but he got the job done and made everyone feel right at home.