New Year's Eve in Papillon

Our new year's eve repas Saint Sylvestre was a huge success, if a tad knackering ....our last customers left at 1.30am and by the time was had cleaned, washed up, relaid tables, washed coffee machines and cashed up etc it was the wee small hours. Still, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, the timing worked impeccably - I served champagne to everyone then we took the desserts out and put the last plate in front of someone just as midnight ticked into place. Everyone jumped up and kissed everyone else (which was a bit manic and very loud), then the English customers linked arms and the French customers joined in and Sabrina and I got caught up and suddenly we were doing auld lang syne. The French loved it and thought it was a great tradition, the Brits were dead pleased that they had 'introduced' something to the French, and for their part thought the kissing everyone was fab. The menu was delish (bien sur) - from warm toasts and my killer calva cocktails to clam and crab chowder passing by foie gras and a glass of pommeau then scallops and legumes - a little trou normand to lighten the stomach - and back to fillet steak tournedos with a 5 berry sauce, then normandy cheese and salad, and a trio of desserts to die for (chocolate marquise, posh bread and butter pudding, lemon and grand marnier mousse glacé) served with champagne, rounded off by cafe and petit fours. Yummmmo. Everyone very full and happy. Even the 2 surprise vegtarians that Grégoire had to improvise for. Keeps him on his toes and teaches Lones the real stuff. Pats on the backs all round à la fin.