So I had a lunch date at Brasserie Beck yesterday. I think this was my fourth visit to this restaurant and I was determined to order something other than the croque monsieur. They’re so delicious, it’s hard to resist!

I decided to fully branch out and try the mussels. I’ve had mussels once before. Let me clarify, I’ve tried other people’s mussels before. I’ve always loved the broth and wanted to like the mussels, but the look and process of eating them always got in the way. I threw caution to the wind and order a half portion with a side of fries.

As an act of cruelty, they brought out a basket of bread, so of course, I had to have a slice slathered in butter.

Then the mussels arrived. They were pretty good. I didn’t mind the texture this time and the broth! Oh my, the white wine, the cream, and that garlic! There was half of an elephant bulb of garlic in my pan, so naturally, I scooped it out and ate it with the mussels. This would come back to haunt me later:)  The next natural step was to start dipping as much bread as possible into the broth or simply use my spoon and sip it.

And I wasn’t about to leave the fries out of the party. I kept switching back and forth between dipping my fries in the trio of aioli and the broth. By the end of the meal I was stuffed and realized that I had a carb and fat filled lunch. I was worth every calorie.