I have one very powerful memory of going to the opera as a kid - namely, leaving at intermission to grab sushi in Chicago with my dad. So maybe it wasn't such a cultural leap of faith to combine our big night out at the beautiful Opera Garnier with dinner at a noodle bar on the Rue Sainte Anne (the mini Japantown in the 9th arrondissement).
Here is Chris showing off his steaming bowl of veggie and noodle soup and gigantic salad.
This little corner noodle bar (Sapporo 2) was the perfect spot to grab an early bite before the 7:30 performance of "Idomeneo". The meal (in conjunction with the box of dark chocolates picked up at "Cote de France" on our way to the show), sustained us through all 3 hours of the performance. I don't think I'm any more of an opera-person than I was when I skipped out on Madame Butterfly with my dad 30 years ago, but we made it.
Being at the Opera Garnier was an experience in and of itself, and it just seemed like the right thing to do. Culturally important and all of that. And actually, the orchestra and the performers were incredible. I guess I'm just not cut out for so much slowly-unfolding melodrama.
But check out the Chagall mural on the dome of the theater - amazing!
And I will never take for granted a chance to be out in Paris at night. Here's the happy couple with the beacon of la Tour Eiffel in the background....
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