I had the privilege of having dinner out twice this week because of the holidays. This is one of the best times of the year to enjoy food prepared by somebody else, whether it’s in the form of a group meal at a restaurant or just at another home of friends or relatives. My meals are prepared by a ghost kitchen for my delivery plan, but that doesn’t count.
My first dinner was with a friend whose family has a past in the restaurant business, and we have eaten together a few times. I knew I was in for some good home cooking. Our plan was to enjoy the meal and then decorate the brand new–and deeply discounted from last year’s post-holiday sale–Christmas tree. It was a joy to work on the replacement for last year’s version, which had lost its sturdiness too late to replace. The ornaments, a collection years in the making, came out of storage and were lovingly placed individually on the branches, along with some plotting for branch adjustments and gap widening. I brought along a new ornament to add to the collection, in a matching color scheme. The end result was posted to social media, and I headed home with the vision of a lovely tree and lingering memories of a fine roast. I bought two roasts for the holidays for my own meals, but I don’t think they’ll measure up to having somebody else cook for you.
The second dinner was a group affair at a restaurant in it’s third or fourth rebirth; the most memorable version was devoted to French cuisine, and that was the last time I had visited. For another group luncheon, for which I have forgotten my place in it. I chalk my poor memory up to it being a different decade and long enough ago that it, like the French decor, has passed into distant history.
Like so many other eateries, this establishment set up an enclosed outdoor dining experience for groups and catered events, well heated by overhead warmers instead of posts. The place was cozy and inviting. We dined on bread by the basket, dunked in quality olive oil. We indulged in multiple appetizers of antipasti and salad. The place was determined to leave no belly unstuffed before the main course arrived.
Many of us, being of an age where health at dinner is a must, dined on the salmon from among the selections available. Plates of it arrived at the tables, perfectly coordinated. And enjoyed immensely.
Along with the water, coffee and tea, we had the option to BYOB, so I “B’d” and came with a bottle of California chardonnay. I should stress that I am not a regular drinker, but I have learned over the years that wine is a great part of visitor culture, and a good bottle is welcome nearly everywhere, so I am in the habit of bringing some when the suggestion is made. To me, BYOB means, “But You Outta Bring.” Once the bottles available were uncorked, I got hold of a glass and slipped a small amount into it for my own knowledge of how good a choice I had made. The bottle was empty by the end of the evening. I also learned that chardonnay pairs nicely with salmon. Good call.
The best part of visiting somebody (or someplace) else for a holiday meal is the variety of it all; the different place, the new outfits, the occasional new person, food you would not otherwise get to try, and the joy and camaraderie of togetherness we indulge in once a year.
I don’t have any other meal plans for the rest of the month, except to jog around my deliveries so I can cook my own roast and indulge in leftovers for a few days. One must eat, but one must also have choices which fuel the need for something different. That’s where the scheduling comes in. Even if you need to cram it into the last weeks of the year.
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