Food, Folks, and Flax

The giant chicken showed up around six o’clock, sang a song, left me a mug and some balloons, then went on her way. This was complements of my uncle, who wasn’t able to attend my birthday dinner, but who nonetheless found a way to leave a mark.

The best thing about this, though, was that my uncle left my mom as the contact person for the telegram people but didn’t tell her about it, nor did he explain to the telegram people that “Fred” is his sister. So, an hour before the party she got a phone call that went like this:

“Hi, can I speak to Fred?”
“This is Fred.”
“No, I need to speak to Fred.”
“This IS Fred.”
“I’m calling for Fred. Can I speak to Fred?”
“THIS IS FRED.”
“Oh. This is the chicken.”
“Wait, WHO is this?”
“The chicken.”

Other good things happened, too. For the first time in quite a few years, I had the opportunity to be in a room with both of my parents at the same time.

I might look a bit like my dad.

But better than that, it was also the first time ever that my parents and their partners were in the same room. Not only did it go well, but my mom’s gentleman and my dad are talking about a trip to Palm Beach for race car school, during which, back at home, my mom and Sandy can go shopping. (Scott later pointed out the contrast between our families. In his family, divorces involve restraining orders, mysterious pee stains, and hacked facebook accounts. In my family, we plan trips.)

I also got to hang out at a table with my dad’s mother and my mom’s father, who at 88 and just a few weeks shy of 94 respectively, make me grateful for my DNA.

Oh, but wait. I haven’t even gotten to the food.

Usually, if you tell a chef that you want to have a dinner for fifteen that includes a vegan birthday girl, a few vegetarians, and a bunch of omnivores, you get a big eye roll, and the non-meat dishes are all plates of roasted vegetables. Not that there is anything wrong with a plate of roasted vegetables, but the veggie dishes are often an afterthought. Fortunately for me, Chef Chad at City Cafe took this as a challenge, and told Scott he would make all of the appetizers vegan, then have a bunch of different options for the entree. During the cocktail hour, there were chips and lots of fresh salsas which were wonderful, and pita bread and caponata. It was all lovely and I thought he did a great job. Then we went upstairs for the meal and the first REAL appetizer came out: a watermelon salad with greens and radishes with a balsamic reduction. I have never had anything like it, and it was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever eaten.

Watermelon Salad. Or, to get all Bawlamer about it, "Wuddermelon Sald."

Then the steamed edamame came out. Then the stuffed radicchio with beets, raspberries, and mandarin oranges. Then the vegetable tempura. THEN the entrees. It was, in a word, spectacular. I expected good food, but was surprised and delighted by an inventive and inspired menu that made everyone happy.

Dessert was a huge freaking carrot cake (plus bonus cupcakes!) brought in from One World Cafe. Thankfully, we were able to send our guests off with lots of cake, so only six or seven pieces made it back to my refrigerator, and yes, as a matter of fact, we have eaten four pieces of cake since getting home last night. Is that a problem?

A happy birthday, indeed, and still two more days to go until the actual, big day!

Everyone had a lovely time. I believe this is largely due to my seating chart. I went all Emily Post and seated couples separately, alternating men and women. And look! Look at the happy people! Happy birthday to me!