Came home from work mightily tired, and not feeling up to cooking. Wandered out, thinking I would go to the local Japanese pizzeria (yes, truly), but it’s shut on a Monday, so I wandered down Rua Francisco Leitão to La Marie www.lamarierestaurante.com.br . Monsieur le patron suggested a dish (cassoulet, with rice), a glass of wine (Toscana) to go with it, flambé-ed my crème brulée, and pressed a digestif cognac on me. I felt like I was being looked after (yes of course, at a price) with skill and attention. I truly did feel restored, and at £30, I can’t complain. La civilisation contient certainement la cuisine. Je suis restauré.