DINNER 105: Saturday, April 15, 2006

PICTURES ARE HERE! 

This evening’s activities were really fun. Wendy & Holly had collaborated to plan a surprise party for Jay, who turns 40 at the end of April. Holly provided all the decorations, Ed delivered them to Wendy, and Wendy & I (with help from others as they arrived) decorated our private room at the IRON HORSE INN. The room was a forest of balloons (purple, black, and silver), garland, and crepe paper.

Everyone – nearly 20 of us — showed up early and were in position for the surprise. Through artful deception, Ed got Jay to the restaurant and pointed upstairs to have a drink while they waited for Holly (who Jay believed was running late but was actually peering out the door to time the shouts of “SURPRISE” appropriately). Ed & Jay breezed right by the door on their route to the bar. Holly flung the door open and we all shouted “Surprise!”. Jay was suitable surprised, nearly jumping from his skin and turning beet-red. Much merriment, drinking, eating, and gift exchanging occurred. Dinner was great. Our table enjoyed an appetizer of Prince Edward Island Mussels in a fresh garlic, basil and spicy tomato broth; some peppery Brandied Lobster Bisque with Shrimp (Robin loved it and ate all of Dave’s!). My entree was Roasted Chilean Sea Bass which was topped with garlic aioli and herbed bread crumbs, served with pickled red onions, mashed sweet potatoes, and fresh vegetables. It was super-tasty.

Desserts were on me… I’d prepared two cakes — a Bavarian Chocolate Torte and an Orange Cream Cake. The staff at the HORSE did a great job — everyone got a slice of each kind of cake, and there were even some leftovers.

After dinner, we retired to the patio at the Glendale Pub and watched trains go by. It was a great evening.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAY!