Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was superb! I don't think I've ever said that. I love Valentine's Day, but it's not a huge deal to me. Just acknowledging me in some way is really all I ever hope for.

Eric gets in trouble for buying me cards. They are nice, but then I just wonder how long I have to keep it before I can recycle it. I'm romantic that way. But something hand written, on the back of a receipt, now that will be kept forever in my grandmother's jewelry box.

This year, Eric, kind of by accident, made dinner reservations at Sidney Street Cafe. We've been going there for special special dates since we've been together. I like that we don't go there casually. It's nice to have a history with such a lovely place.

So, because we slid into a reservation late in the game, we ate at a slightly unusual hour (for us). Five p.m. sharp. Exactly when they open. I think we stumbled into brilliance! The place was empty. We got an AMAZING table at the back of the restaurant where we relaxed and watched people (at carefully executed intervals) fill the place. After an amazing night out, we left only to discover that, it was still early! 5 p.m. is my new date time. Maybe it isn't trendy, hip, or cool (I know that I'm certainly not!), but it is my new, totally smart, secret date time. Dining out in old age will be an easy transition for me.

Everything at Sidney Street is always perfect. Everyone is SO good there, it comes off as being effortless (which is absolutely not the case, as they are dedicated professionals). This may sound odd, but Sidney Street is just a really happy place. The fine folks employed there almost feel like new friends who invited you over for dinner. They are always knowledgeable, easy going, and efficient.

So now for the dinner part. The deciding what to order part. This could possible be Sidney Street's one and only down fall. They make it so hard to decide. My personal down fall- the fact that the capacity of my stomach is ten sizes too small. Placing my order is slightly agonizing, as I'm usually torn in three different directions. Not a single thing stands out; everything stands out. This is an unusual situation in most restaurants, but not here.

I always think, "This is my chance to try something memorable and new. Don't screw it up by ordering the wrong thing." That is impossible though. Every choice is the right one. It's just getting over the hurdle of the realization I can only order one perfect thing. The lady at the other table got to discover the perfection of the scallops. I was jealous of her.

I don't think I'm ever fully ready to order. If there wasn't a man standing before me patiently waiting, I would think it over for another hour. I would have him describe everything once more in excruciating detail and I would interrupt and ask a hundred questions and in a perfect world, not feel the least bit embarrassed about it.

Tonight I was romanced by pecan encrusted rabbit, smoked duck, Missouri lamb, fish I've never heard of (is discreet googling okay?)... So I ordered a ribeye. I wish I could remember the exact description of the dish, but I can't. It was sliced (medium-yes, I know I really should have ordered it medium rare). It was served on top of veggies with a side of bone marrow bread pudding. It was delish!

Obviously, the entree was only one decision. It all started with a drink order-don't get me started! While I would have loved to order a bottle of Champagne, I over indulged the night before and wasn't wanting much alcohol. I spared Eric a hefty bill. I ordered a single glass of a domestic bubbly and it was fine.

Hors d'oeuvres:

I really thought about skipping an entree and ordering three or four of these instead. This course was a mutual decision. I don't know if that made it easier or more hard. Dugeness crab was at the top of the list. There were lobster turnovers, a cheese plate, fois gras with peanut butter ice-cream. What we went with-the charcuterie board. Eric was really intrigued to try this because in previous weeks, he and the chef talked about how he was curing his own meats. It did not disappoint. We fought over the last bit of the porchetta di testa.

Again, I wish I could describe it all in detail, but my head was swimming with so much information. Honestly, when I get my order, I'm always a little surprised by it. Sidney Street doesn't have traditional menus. They have small table top boards with the evening's menu written on them. The food server (is there a better name?) goes over everything in explicit detail at lightning speed. I try and grasp it all, but always fail. Thus, my plate always holds a surprise or two.

Dessert, oh how I love dessert. It is the only meal that I truly like to make. I think the next time we are at Sidney Street, I'm going to order a bottle of Champagne, three appetizers, and dessert. I always get a little too full. Maybe skipping the salad and the entree will be my new thing. That, and dining at 5 o'clock.

As we waited for the dessert menu, Eric said he hoped they had his favorite-creme brulee. I kind of hoped they didn't. Ordering your "regular" isn't very special after all. As it was, creme brulee wasn't on the menu that night. We chose, instead, to share brown sugar cheesecake with oatmeal ice-cream and cherry compote. The chef decided we also needed the chocolate tart with guava ice-cream as well-both, on the house. Spoiled, we are.

Filled, thrilled, and content, we sat in the aftermath soaking in what just transpired. I think all of my body's energy was so focused on digesting that beautiful meal, I was left in a fuzzy haze of consciousness. Standing up and walking away required a lot of effort, but we had one last thing in store for us before we finally departed at the incredibly decent hour of 7 o'clock-a tour of the charcuterie room.

We were led down the stairs to the basement. There was a mass of turns until finally, near a inconspicuous corner, was a door. It opened to a narrow, temperature and humidity controlled space filled with meats hanging from the ceiling. Oh, the aroma! Has somebody invented bacon candles yet? It was a quick "look see", but it was Valentine's Day after all, and they were kind of busy.

We finally wrapped up our Monday night Valentine's Day and headed to pick up the kids from my in-law's house. Did I mention that during our dinner, we received a picture of what they served our children? Steak and lobster! I'm glad we all had special dinners.

I wonder when my next special special date will be. There are plenty of special times and celebrations through out the year. I love to go to other restaurants and support Eric's customers. While I like going to new places, it is just as exciting to return to a place that is familiar, where I'm still surprised.