Hanging out in Beaune, and dinner at La Ciboulette, 29th October

And so, we resume the story of October's trip to Burgundy, which at this rate might just be finished by Christmas...

Back in Beaune, there was time to do some shopping and there was one shop high on my agenda - Mon Millesime. It was great to see Philippe and have a wander round and, as always, there were some enticing goodies.

I picked up a bottle of Marc de Bougogne with a spectacular fossilised cork and label that made it look as if it dated back to about 600 BC - more about this another time!

Then we headed off to Casino to pick up essential supplies. I loved this Big Ben box of After Eights which brought back happy memories.

After that, it was time for an aperitif at Le Bout du Monde, the wine bar run by Fabienne Escoffier. Once again I had inexplicably failed to pack a lumberjack shirt but we were allowed in anyway. Their selection of wine is phenomenal.

ACC, however, was in the mood for something other than vino so he went for a G&T and then a super-alcoholic Belgian beer, while I had a kir and then a very fine glass of 1er cru Saint Aubin.

Once again, the place was buzzing and full of sophisticated people and it's a great addition to the Beaune wine bar scene. I was sorry that we didn't get a chance to visit La Dilettante this time round, but it was closed, something to do with half-term, whatever that is.

Then it was off to La Ciboulette for dinner. ACC is quite a regular and had been here just the other night which was handy as he was able to recommend a few things such as this lovely terrine with pistachios.

They now do wines by the glass and we had a white and a red but I can't remember what they were - next year I won't assume that I will write everything up within 3 days and will make better notes!

I do remember my main course, the slow-cooked joue de porc. Very nice food on a cold evening.

Wines lined up on the counter

For pudding, the assiette du chocolat, bien sûr.

Since I hadn't drunk a 13% beer earlier, I indulged in some armagnac and was able to have a comparison of the 1982 and the 1992 en magnum.

It was a great meal and the bill came to 82 euros, or 60 quid, for the pair of us. You can't argue with that! If only there was somewhere like La Ciboulette in London...