Jun 02 2003
Food’n’friendship
It seems that the minute I go on vacation, I immediately change from my water-drinkin’, gym-goin’, early to bed early to rise every day self to Vacation Suzy. Vacation Suzy is constantly going out to dinner (where she eats far too much), drinking wine (ditto), staying up late, getting up late, and having far too much fun. No hangovers have yet impeded my progress, so I’ll probably just keep it up.
I do have a horrible confession to make, though not as stunning as Amy’s (you big show-off). Mine is: I miss going to the gym. I regret not bringing my sneakers and gym wear in addition to all those shoes. I may in fact be a pod person.
Although Toronto and San Francisco could not look more different, one thing they have in common is lots of great restaurants and lots of foodophiles.
We had dinner with our friends Mike & Jennifer the other night, not only a fabulous couple but the parents of one of the two non-annoying babies I personally am acquainted with. I don’t know which is the more impressive achievement, but I do know that we had one of the happiest evenings ever with them, and it wasn’t long enough. And I’m not just saying that because they gave us presents. Mine was a beautiful, amethyst colored vase moderne, and John’s a Canadian chocolate fix. I guess he got a present even though it’s not his birthday so he wouldn’t get all jealous over mine and throw a tantrum.
We had dinner at one of their neighborhood restaurants, Boho, and the food was wonderful. I had duck with blueberry jus on completely perfect garlic mashed potatoes, but was unable to resist stealing some of John’s sweet potato French (Freedom) fries, which were equally excEt. Nor was I able to resist the lemon tart with raspberry sorbet, but I didn’t really try very hard. Add in a bottle of Ravenswood Zinfandel and attentive but not intrusive service, and you have a perfect evening.
Last night, we visited an old favorite, The Real Jerk, with an old favorite, our friend Raven. He used to be my sister Megan’s boyfriend in the long ago mists of time, and even though they broke up years and years ago, we stayed friends. When I love someone, it’s very difficult for them to escape from my life, and there was no way I was going to lose touch with someone this special.
It was good to see him looking so well and happy. All the major life aspects (work/love/job, not necessarily in that order) are going great for him, and he just looks so happy. It was so great to reminisce and laugh and talk and eat the fabulous food. Again, the evening wasn’t long enough.
I’m so lucky to have such wonderful friends.