You can take the girl out of Paris...

Our Paris-based co-blogger Chris and his wife Joelle are visiting this weekend. While Chris was busy working, Joelle and I caught up at the local diner. Joelle is half French and half American. You'd never know she was either because she blends in perfectly in each country, and is completely bilingual. Except when she orders food. Like in this case, she was dying for pancakes. You just can't get good pancakes in Paris. So she got a stack of three. Then the waitress asked if she wanted a side of something with that, and she said "yes, mashed potatoes." With gravy? "Absolutely!"

There's an expression you hear among American expats if you spend much time abroad. "Not quite right." It's usually used when foreigners try to copy American food or culture and get really close, but still, there's something you can't put your finger on that's not quite right. Pancakes with mashed potatoes and gravy for lunch. All very American, but as an ensemble? :-)