This week the pod comes to you from the French onion soup scented air of Oriel, their guest Alain Jeu’s restaurant in Chinatown. Before jumping into the interview Shaughn and Ellen read the results of their first boozey homework assignment. Find out what bizarre drinks the other listeners are drinking!
Alain’s wine situation starts very differently, and much later than many. He rebelled by not drinking which worked in his favor when dating the ladies: parents loved him. He started drinking not until he was in California, but he pours a French wine for Shaughn and Ellen, the Thierry Richoux Irancy Bourgogne Pinot Noir. It’s a great thing for drinking all night long.
He recounts learning English on the job, and the culture shock of seeing, in America, all the things he did not think of as “French” things—then gives his recipe for pain perdu, aka French toast.
He has no desire to go back to France, beyond for visiting family in the Loire valley where everyone takes turns hosting dinners. His brother brings the wines and he brings treats from the States like granola and Trader Joe’s snacks.
Come down to Oriel and meet Alain for yourself. And have some onion soup!