It must have been on a program on BBC America that I first heard the word "courgettes."  I definitely had to look it up.  The British seem to think that zucchini squash needed a little more sophistication. All of this leads to the fact that we had couscous for lunch today.  The broth over the couscous contained carrots and celery and lots of courgettes.

The Professor had been doing research on where the best places in Paris for couscous - a dish of stew over small pasta made from semolina.  In the 60s and 70s places serving this Moroccan and Algerian dish were plentiful.  Now it is no longer the case.  Immigration patterns have shifted.

Last Saturday, February 1st, we set off to find a restaurant called 4 Freres or 4 Brothers.  When we located the address that the computer gave, the doors were locked and the place seemed deserted. After studying the signs on the door, we discovered that one of the notes gave an address on another street.  We were actually at the back door.  The front door was easily located just around the corner of a block that was pie shaped.

The reviews on the food warned that the place might be crowded and it might be difficult to get a table.  We were fortunate enough to be there just before lots of hungry customers stopped by so were able to be seated.  I ordered beef and the Professor ordered chicken.  We were not disappointed.

This is definitely a place we will return to.  And now we know it is not really situated on Boulevard de la Villette as the computer sites say but around the corner on rue de Sambre et Meuse.   There were lots of young families having lunch at the restaurant.  As we were leaving I noticed that the restaurant is open seven days a week, but serves only dinner on Fridays.  It is refreshing to know that during part of their day of worship the restaurant was closed. 

Unfortunately I took the picture of the food when it is not arranged at its best and there are no courgettes in sight.  This picture of Moroccan couscous is very much like the servings that we received except that this is served with lamb. After my extravagance of drinking Coca Cola the other day, you would think that I would not rush into any more purchases of drinks.  However, les 4 Freres sold the same can of soda pop for 1.70 Euros instead of 4.50. 

After leaving the restaurant we started walking up the boulevard de la Villette and discovered that it turns into one named Belleville which is part of Chinatown in Paris.  We had forgotten that it was the beginning of the new lunar year until we heard drums in the distance.  It is now officially the year of the horse. 

As we approached the drumming, we saw several young men running up the street wearing very interesting pants on.  It took a few minutes for me to realize that these unusual legs were part of the dragon - the only part of the young men that is visible under the huge costume.  

We actually started our day by going to the Marche du Puces.  Unfortunately neither one of us was impressed and it had nothing to do with the rain.  Mostly stalls with men's clothing and shoes.  We did drift into the area with the antiques for awhile.  This is what we ended up taking pictures of.  And no we did not intentionally photograph the entrance to the toilets.