Belated Birthday Lunch

Yesterday, I went to Aix for a belated birthday lunch with my friend Mary B. The weather was extremely nice. Sunny and hot. We sat outside in a little cobblestone courtyard with a fountain for lunch at L'Epicerie. (Their website is currently under construction.) It was a lovely lunch. I had sole with pesto sauce. It was served with a roquette salad that was slightly too salty. With lunch, I had my first rosé of the season. For dessert, I had a Grand Marnier iced soufflé which was quite tasty and perfect for the weather conditions. All in all, a nice lunch. However, a bit expensive for what it was so I don't think I'll make a point of going back. After lunch, we walked over to the Cours Mirabeau to have a mint iced tea at La Belle Epoque. Mary was raving about their iced teas. They definitely hit the spot on a hot day. It was served in a large glass canning jar and had fresh mint leaves and lots of large ice cubes. Along with our drinks, we savored some Reese's peanut butter cups that we had picked up along the way at a new little café and grocery that has British and American products: The Provence Shop (funnily enough, the shopkeeper is a woman from Argentina). I also bought myself one can each of ginger beer, A&W root beer and A&W cream soda. First time I've ever come across root beer over here! Yesterday felt like vacation so it was a bit of a rude awakening when the alarm went off this morning at 5:25. But, it's my last day of the semester, so vacation will be here soon enough.