Birthday Dinner
Last night I wrote about our anniversary dinner from a few days ago. Equally deserving of attention is last night’s dinner, not at a restaurant but at home. We are fortunate that Joel is back for a few days. Yesterday was his birthday, in honor of which Gail made a feast.
Joel had proposed two options. Gail made both. Pesto pasta with pine nuts and chicken milanese. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any photos, but the picture above is a faithful representation of the chicken. In appearance. I don’t know how to represent its flavor, which I am enjoying as I type. Even cold the next morning, with a bit of arugula, it’s wonderful. And the pasta dish? It’s my favorite.
Accompanying them was our final bottle of Stryker Sonoma’s E1K, a Cabernet-based blend that we have enjoyed drinking since our October 2008 visit to the winery. Alas, it is no longer available, so that’s the end of that.
For dessert, Joel requested donuts, and that’s what he got. Gail drove over to Mighty-O for a dozen. The beverage accompaniment for them was — what else? — strawberry milkshakes.
One thing I learned: If you eat a giant chicken cutlet with arugula, two helpings of pesto pasta, a few slices of bread with butter, and a donut, along with wine and water, you will struggle to finish an extra-large milkshake. Even a fabulously delicious milkshake with fresh strawberries and top-quality vanilla ice cream.
Another thing: I’m sure glad Joel came home for his birthday.
