Dine with "Chiens Lunatiques"

Yes, life is going to the dogs. Strange ones at that. But listen: How cool would it be to attend an intimate little dinner cooked up by a chef and served by a Maitre d', both alumni of the famous Chez Pannise in Berkeley? Sure, you'd have to throw in a few friends, some local folks, and perhaps "the odd celebrity or two" to make it lively around the table--but what if this dinner were to be held in Paris' Latin Quarter? In a 17th century apartment? Tres cool, eh? Well, mon amis, you can have all this with aux chiens lunatiques. Unfortunately, the next dinner you can get into will fall in September, because in June and July, chef David Tanis will head across to my side of the pond to be chef of the downstairs Restaurant at Chez Panisse.

I found out about Chiens Lunatiques while searching the web site of David Lebovitz, who just happens to be leading a Chocolate-Lovers Tour of the Basque Regions of Spain and France in June (spaces still available) and has some thoughtful things to say about the cost of food in the US compared to Europe. Of course, we have a map and travel information for the Basque Region, as well as some commentary on why I like to travel in places with strong separatist movements.