Mussels Marinière

1 loaf French bread, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
Extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 sprig fresh tarragon
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 pound black mussels, cleaned and debearded
1/4 cup white wine
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Sugar
Chopped fresh Italian parsley, for garnish
Béarnaise Sauce

1. Place a grill pan over high heat or preheat a broiler. Drizzle both sides of the bread slices with olive oil. Grill or broil the bread until toasted golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, in a large, deep sauté pan or cast-iron skillet over high heat, put the butter and immediately add the shallots, herbs, and mussels. When the butter has melted and the shallots and herbs begin to turn fragrant, add the wine and sprinkle lightly with salt, pepper, and a little sugar. Cover the pan and continue to cook over high heat until the mussels have opened, about 4 minutes. Season the liquid to taste with a little more salt, pepper, and sugar, if necessary.

3. Discard any mussels that did not open. Leave the cooked mussels in their cooking pan for guests to share, or scoop them and their cooking liquid into individual large serving bowls or soup plates. Garnish with chopped parsley. Place the slices of grilled bread on top of the mussels and drizzle with warm Béarnaise Sauce. Serve immediately.