Yesterday was definitely one of the best experiences I have had so far in France. Matt's grandparents decided to take the two if us out to dinner to get a chance to have some time with him and get to know me better too. We were trying to find somewhere that were serving mussels, since I had commented on how much I like them earlier in the week. But unable to find a place that had them with air conditioning (yesterday was also the hottest day so far this summer, with a temp around 39* C.) we settled on another restaurant, which turned out to be one of the nicest in Hossegor! Lucky me! We started the meal with a glass of Sangria ( red wine with fruit in it), then ordered and first course included 12 fresh oysters each, 6 from the bay the restaurant sits on here in Hossegor and 6 more came from Marine, another location in France. This was my first experience with oysters and I have to say I'm hooked! With a bit of lemon and vinigar in them these odd looking things quickly turned into a new favorite, Im really glad that I tried these. After downing the dozen exquisite morsels, the main dish was brought out which consisted of 4 perfectly cooked strip steaks of duck covered in a mushroom and garlic sauce, scalloped potato's, and the French classic Rattatoie, all washed down with an excellent bottle of white wine! I have died and gone to heaven! Every part of the food balanced and complimented each other with sweet and savory flavors. Yet dinner was not over, we were then served the desert of cream sauce the day which consisted of a sweet cream sauce in a bowl with the whipped egg white and sugar to make a floating foam island all sprinkled with camarlized nuts and a mint garnish. C'est tres bon! This meal was not only just a mere dinner with great food and drink, but was a experience that I will never forget. I was blown off my feet with the generosity of Matt's grandparents with supplying this experience for me. Merci Beacoup! Thus now I truly understand the meaning of French cooking!