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Finally went to see ‘La Vie En Rose’ the poignant story of Edith Piaf, French songstress and actress. I think listening to French singing is an acquired taste. As English speaking people we are at a disadvantage because we do not know the meaning of the words. Even with that going against us, there are still a few songs, even if we do not understand the lyric’s, where Piaf’s artistry touches the human spirit. Marlene Dietrich called her the Soul of France. The people of Paris and France still hold her in deep respect for her art as the voice of the people.

In the United States, do we have such an artist of song we could agree is the voice of America, the soul of America, someone, who, regardless of understanding the words, would be appreciated by foreign speaking peoples? Maybe it is just a French thing.

The movie, while enjoyable, interesting and entertaining, is just a jumping off point to knowing about Piaf and her life and times. It certainly gets you interested in learning more through other movies and biographies. The actress playing the part of Piaf is sure to be nominated for an Academy Award.

After the movie we walked up Walnut Street to 13th and went to Vintage at 129 South 13th . Right next to El Vez. Vintage is a cozy, softly lit, bistro type refuge. It has small round black tables for two, with tea candles and a long, stand by itself, red menu. The three together make a pleasant to the eye arrangement. It has warm polished oak floors, exposed brick wall,

a wall covered with the printed sides of wooden wine crates. They also managed to keep the attractive pressed tin ceiling.

We were made welcome by DeJuan and waited on by Richard. But they helped each other out covering all of the tables with finesse. Vintage is not a big dining space. It is about 15 feet wide with an open store front which is perfect for an airy feeling. There is a full bar and the tables go back along one wall opposite the bar.

They offer a wide variety of interesting, reasonably priced wine by the glass, about 60 from which to choose, including selected wine flights. We went with a house Chardonnay and a house Merlot. Both tasty and only $5 a glass. They also have 6 beers on tap and others that are bottled.

This is a perfect place for a light meal, lunch, late dinner. I had Vintage Goat Cheese Salad: Baby arugula salad with Boucheron and fresh pear dressed with an orange hazelnut vinaigrette and Moroccan spiced hazelnuts. This was a very French bistro type dish and was perfect.

My partner had Brie en Croûte: Baked French Brie wrapped in puff pastry served with caramelized pear and finished with a gastrique sauce. This was another winner we would order again.

The rest of the menu looked just as interesting and inticing, the deserts decadent, the desert wines, the other wine selections, but all of that is for discovering on the many times we anticipate coming back here.

Four glasses of wine, two plates, about $21 each before tip.