Table Talk
Picky or Discerning?
I had one of those milestone birthdays this week. And I have been celebrating. Birthdays for me are really week long affairs, with multiple dinners, lunches and breakfasts spent with good friends. By the end of it all, I am satiated from good food and great people. I am in the middle of my birthday week, at this point. I've eaten cinnamon rolls, sushi, tapas, crepes, and look forward to burritoes, cheesesteak sandwiches, and who knows what else, all in honor of my big day. But last night was the ultimate birthday meal. Ann, without Terry this time, showed up with a huge bottle of Tanquerey 10 gin for martinis, which Brad made with skill. Mike, Lynn and of course, Charlie, were all there. Louise, a brilliant cook, outdid herself, with a menu that had us all toasting and re-toasting the cook. We ate a spicy Hummus with bagel chips with our Martinis, which had big olives stuffed with bleu cheese in them. As we moved into the dining room, we started the meal with Twice-baked Goat Cheese Souffles with Mixed Greens, beautiful and delicious. For the main course, she served Feta-Stuffed Rack of Lamb with Pumpkin Seed Crust and Chipotle Sauce, a taste explosion; Mashed Potatoes with corn; Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus Bundles; and Parmesan Bread. Later, we ate Lemon Cream Torte with Raspberry Sauce, which my niece Sarah had made for me. This was truly one of the great meals of my life. So when my friends like to tease me about being a picky eater, you can understand that I'm really just spoiled by great food. We're talking a very high level of quality here. Who can blame me?
