Some of us like to treat ourselves to Champagne on special occasions. Epernay is the capital of Champagne. Their quote on the town is ‘drinking champagne in Epernay is like listening to Mozart in Salzburg’.
Check this Map of the Champagne
Epernay is also a local restaurant here
in Montclair, New Jersey.
They serve French fare in a casual and cosy setting.
They were so kind to us that they contributed two $25.00 gift certificates for the basket.
French people use various ways to clain their difference, one of them is the famous gant de toilette (wash glove) 
used by each authentic french person.
An educational side note, while looking for pictures of wash gloves I discovered RealFrench.net, the site describes itself as a resource for learners and teachers of French. Must be based in the UK as they charge 20.00 british pounds for 1 year subscription.
You can sample their offerings before you sign up.
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The Gers is a mainly rural region located midway between Bordeaux and Toulouse. The main town is Auch. It is famous for Armagnac and Foie Gras. It also is renowned as a garlic producer.
Here is a map for illustration.
The white wine selection is called Vignes Retrouvees, a Cotes de Saint Mont (2004), handpicked and offered to us by Sharon of Amanti Vino, a new wine source located on Church Street in Montclair.
My husband, Serge, just showcased the Store in his entry for Wine Blogging Wednesday #18.
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Chamber music in my book can be very soothing and relaxing. On Sunday, February 26th at 7:30 pm, Carnegie Hall offers a concert (in Zankel Hall) with the Ensemble ‘Les Violons du Roy’ 
guided by Bernard Labadie and with mezzo soprano Magdalena Kozena. On the program, pieces by Rameau and Gluck, they were both considered musical revolutionaries back in the 18th century.
Anyway, if you win the basket, 2 tickets for the concert are yours (and a night on the town).
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This compilation on Putamayo Records includes classics like Serge Gainsbourg, George Brassens, and even Brigitte Bardot but also young bands like Paris Combo
and many more.
Listening to this music can make you feel as if you are sitting in a parisian bistro drinking a panache and practicing the sport of people watching. The album cover depicts this very scene.
This CD was donated by Rabbit Rabbit of Valley Road in Montclair. They literally gave me the music from their personal collection. Recycle why not.
If you want to listen to some of this music and more go to Serge the Concierge and sign up for the free 14 day trial of Rhapsody. You’ll find the sign up link in the right column.
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