On Tuesday, I made my best effort to snap out of the Funk I'd fallen into after meeting with the general surgeon. A few weeks ago, I made reservations to attend a five course Spanish meal at a restaurant in Belltown. That date fell on Tuesday, so I put on my game face, a cute dress, and spoiled Jim with a Date Night.
We walked up to the restaurant and sat at a communal table with two other couples. We were, quite obviously, the youngest people there. The meal started with glasses of Conde de Subirats Cava Brut and bread/olive oil. I knew we were in for the long haul when the first course had not arrived after 30 minutes, but more wine sure had. Empty glasses were prohibited. Jim, already rosy from two cocktails at the sports bar prior to dinner, was becoming adorably tipsy. Because I am preparing for imminent surgery, I was pacing myself and stayed relatively sober.
The first course was Jamon Serrano y Queso Manchego (Serrano Ham and Manchego Cheese Plate) served with TWO wines, Valdelainos Verdejo 2008 and Montecastrillo 2008 Rosado. The white was earthy and weird, almost like retsina. The rose, however, was amazing. Again, no glasses were empty for more than a few seconds. I had to start turning away the servers.
Second course was Tortilla de Chorizo (Traditional Potato Omelette with Chorizo). The portions were true tapas, just little nibbles. I could tell Jim was bordering on more than tipsy and at 6' 1" and an athletic build, was going to need more sustenance, and quick. The course was followed with a gazpacho, and we all started getting chatty with the strangers at our table.
In the kitchen, we could see the chefs working on a paella pan that was at least 5 feet across. It took two strong men to carry the pan out from the kitchen to serve. This was a succulent Pork Rib and Pepper Paella. Two MORE wines came with that course: Vivir, Vivir 2007 and Elias Mora Crianza 2005. Both reds, both delicious. The Elias Mora being the finer of the two.
Finally Jim had a full belly but we just got gigglier and sillier. We goofed about Twilight books, the neighboring woman's distracting, plunging neckline and gay men marrying straight women. Dessert arrived: Sopa de Chocolate Blanco y Yogurt, Fresas Maceradas y Kiwi (White Chocolate and Yogurt Soup, Macerated Strawberries and Kiwi Sorbet) with a glass of Muscatel. I was spent.
So Tuesday ended delightfully with me driving a tipsy Jim home to tuck him sweetly into bed. With a little wine in his system, he gushes in a darling way. Good thing I keep a stocked wine fridge in my home.
Twilight could learn a lot from the Lost Boys.