In which I remind people who GG is

You may be forgiven for thinking some disaster had befallen the Glutton household. The truth is I've actually been horrifically busy at work and at weekends, so I haven't really had much spare time lately. It's been quite a gluttonous couple of weeks though, and I have a lot to update on!
The nice people at Eurostar gave GluttonBoy a pair of first-class tickets to Lille. We went to Lille for our anniversary last year so we were looking forward to eating and not having to do any sightseeing. Lille, as you may well know, is a very foodie type of place and we'd earmarked a few places we wanted to go back to.
On arrival, we started with a cafe creme at Caffe Leffe before a recce in the best bookshop in town, Furet Nord. The cookbook section was of course HUGE, with emphasis on verrines (little terrines in glasses), macaroons and creme brulees. We earmarked future purchases before heading off into the old town. First stop, was Alice Delice - a lovely boutique cookware shop. Last time I bought some paper you put on buscuits to make a pattern. The shop was full of very professional serve-ware - mini creme brulee dishes, mini soup bowls and oversize spoons in which to serve canapes and amuse buches, on slate tiles. It got me thinking that the French have a very different approach to food and entertaining. They really value home cooking, regional cooking and are happy to go out for a bowl of casserole, but if they entertain at home, then it's really on - complete with professional level presentation and effort. Even things like jam making equipment were nicer - they don't use old jars from Lidl, but lovely new Bonne Maman style jars they've bought specially.
Next, was the search for Guillaume Vincent - we bought a box of ganaches last time in Lille, and they were, without exception, the nicest chocolates I've ever had. It look much walking to find it, but was worth it. The woman was being besieged by posh teenagers and look relieved to only have to deal with us and our sub-GCSE-level French. Loaded with ganaches we went off for lunch to the Estaminet we hadn't been able to get into last time. An estaminet is a traditionally Lille restaurant and this brilliant. Ooom-pa-pa music blaring, tables with checked cloths, everything came with cheese or cow innards. Really, GB was in his element, particularly when the 13% beer arrived.

He had andouillete with chips and I had chicken swimming in cheese (morailles) sauce, and chips.
You can see the horrific aftermath here:

So, sated, full of cheese, we stumbled out into Lille. We'll gloss over the horror what was the christmas market and instead dwell on Meert, which must be one of the prettiest tea rooms in Europe. Dark wood, gilt, elaborately beautiful displays, ribbons, exquisite cakes and sweets. We had a lovely tea and shared a Mervielleux and a Mille Feuille. Then, off to Carrefour for a quick scoot round for Mont Blanc chocolate pudding, vanilla sugar and some biscuits. And then home.

Lille is a brilliant place for a day out. I hate flying and being at the airport early, security etc etc, so the speed and efficiency of Eurostar is perfect for me. Add in that the staff are lovely and that you're in the centre of Lille less than 90 minutes after leaving London and it just seems like a perfect way to spend a day - stroll round the old town, have some nice lunch, and then home. Fab.