FE: Paso is a really neat town, but it is hard to explore when temperatures reach a high of 115 F. In addition, my beloved Swiss National Soccer team had reached the quarter-finals of the Euro championships by eliminating Italy, the defending champs. So, we started the day by staying in our airconditioned room to watch them play England. They went up 1:0, conceded the tying goal 10 minutes before the end, and lost on PKs after extra time. They were the better team, but, as we say: Der Ball ist rund.

RN: After that exhausting soccer game (2 hrs of playing time, half-time, and a shoot-out), we went to a nearby winery that had food along with their tasting. This is the Barton Family Estate that is the home of Barton, Grey, and Grey Wolf Wines along with the Distillery, Grain & Vine, that distills vodka, gin, rum, rye and bourbon. We had a lovely charcuterie board and tried their wine flights. They grow wine on their estate and buy grapes from other providers, producing both white and red blends that are very pleasant. We bought four bottles!

FE: After a pleasant nap, we then partake of the wonderful complimentary wine-tasting at Croad. Here are Martin Croad and I telling stories.

RN: What’s wrong with this photo?

FE: For dinner we drive to town to”Les Petites Canailles” (“the little rascals” for you non-francophones) and splurge, ordering the five course tasting menu with wine-pairing. Needless to say, one of the best decisions ever, the food was spectacular. Here is the Morel Risotto with roasted jus,

RN: The locals call this restaurant “LPC” because, like me, French is a baffling and difficult-to-pronounce language so they can’t properly say “Canailles.”. My favorite dish is a “Summer Tomato Salade” with poached and peeled cherry tomatoes surrounded by basil oil, minced fresh basil and fried basil, and topped with crispy parmesan crumbles and a burrata mousse. Never had anything like it and it was gorgeous in flavor and texture! BTW, the Diver Scallop with Leek Fondue and Australian Wagyu with a Whiskey Peppercorn Sauce were nothing to sneeze at either!

FE: This is me after trading soccer stories with Eric (fan of the Dutch team so he is happy today), our great waiter.

RN: I knew he liked Felix because he kept coming back to our table to tell us soccer stories!

FE: The mostly European wines were exquisitely matched with the food. Here I am after trading stories with Dayton, the sommelier and fount of viniferous knowledge.

So, why are there no photographs of Rae? Are her stories no good? That is not the explanation. First, I was depressed after the Swiss loss, so no picture taking. Second, after that I had simply too good a time, so again….Sorry, I will be better (we hope).

RN: No problem! I’m not a big fan of photos of me anyway…