So, let’s talk about memorable restaurant experiences.
In 1984 I made a bet with the president of the company that I could double my sales target. At stake was dinner at the restaurant of my choice anywhere in the continental United States. My department made that lofty goal and chose Brennan’s in New Orleans as our prize. Three memorable, whirlwind days in N’awlins followed, and then we all had an exquisite dinner at Brennan’s.

photo credit: C John Thompson
As an appetizer, I selected an oyster variety plate. Each of five oysters was in one of five different presentations, including Oysters Rockefeller. This was what I did throughout. My main course was tournedos rhys, which gives you two pieces of meat in each of two different sauces. Although Brennan’s is famous for its Bananas Foster, I chose the same trick for dessert, choosing a variety plate that included small portions of five dishes, including Bananas Foster. It was an extraordinary evening.
Another memorable restaurant night was more local. My friend Dan enlisted me to go to dinner with him because he wanted to flirt with a waiter! Dan had been at a funeral and afterwards, several mourners went out for Indian food. Although the waiter was flirty, Dan couldn’t exactly reciprocate under the circumstances. Since I lived nearby, he asked me to accompany him on another night. We had a fantastic dinner although the cute waiter was nowhere to be seen! Of particular note was the delightful Indian parfait dessert, which included rose petal extract.
I ate at that particular Indian place several times. I went back there with Dan and our mutual friend Michele on another occasion (still no cute waiter). I hate a fantastic korma, and Michele had a tandoori. Dan insisted on trying the goat. It was marked as spicy, and Michele warned him that he didn’t enjoy spicy foods, but it was the only goat on the menu and he wanted to try something new. Needless to say, he spent the rest of the evening complaining that his food was too spicy. Michele and I love our food, but unfortunately, the parfait was not available.