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Show Thoughts From The Garden... by Tonya LeMone Every Friday night for the last 39 years I have had a date. ..with the same man, of course. There have been a few exceptions to cancelling our date like when I was in the hospital giving birth six times, or one of us was sick, or now that we are empty ncsters, during the summer we often enjoy having our date on the deck with a wonderful candle light dinner and a movie. When my husband proposed he promised me two things right up front, besides the temple marriage and a houseful of children, that we would always have date night and sufficient food storage for our family.... who wouldn't accept a proposal with those kind of promises. Every Friday night we usually go to dinner and see a movie or watch a play, visit the museum or go for a ride up the canyon to Midway. The real challenge lies in finding a good place to eat. Yes, I am a food snob. I admit it openly, willingly and truthfully with only the best of intentions. I just like good food. The restaurant doesn't necessarily have to have the best ambiance but does need to be clean. For the love of all that is right and true, why do we not have better food in this county? This is a place where people know good healthy food but insist on the adage of more is better, more salt, more food on a plate, more, more, more. The statement "less IS more" has a beautiful ring to it. Quality not quantity has a way of losing itself in translation. There are three or four good restaurants that are not a franchise. Yes, we do seek the non-franchise restaurants, but when they know you by name because you frequent their establishment, you have a tendency to rotate that frequency. These are the restaurants where there is a chef not a cook, and the chef hand picks and buys the food fresh, not from a warehouse or off of a semi-truck, but from the grower. Where parmesan cheese does not come in a green can and vegetables still have a crunch to them when they are warm, interesting phenomenon. You ask yourself by what authority do I have to make such statements? Simple.... none, I just know food. I know how to grow it, harvest it and if I don't know what it is, I research and learn abou: it. I am always taking cooking classes from chefs, reading cookbooks in my spare time and I like to eat out, but an expert I am not. For me, the perfect meal should be a quiet setting, not music blasting so loud you cannot hear each other speak or the echo sound that is so popular with so many restaurants now. By far the biggest luxury is to have a waiter, you know you have heard of them, who will come to the table, greet you pleasantly, take your order and act really glad that you are there. Standing in a cafeteria line ordering food that is brought to the table with a corresponding number or that you carry your tray carefully balancing it so as not to spill your beverage is apparently the wave of the future. And according to studies, what people prefer Not me. Every piece of food on the plate has it's own texture and flavor and the presentation is so beautiful there is a short hesitation to eat, but the essence of the flavors overwhelm you and you slowly savor each morsel. So what to do about this situation that seems to be growing and not planning on going away any time too soon? I will cook for you ! Yes, I want to share with you what a real meal on a date night should be. To the first six people to contact me via e-mail, I will cook for you. You can come as couples or as a group of friends, but there will only be room for six. There are a few stipulations. Plan on an entire evening, not a rushed meal, and it will begin at dusk in the warmth of a summer's eve, June or July, together we will determine the exact date, weather permitting, of course, because it will be outdoors in the grape arbor as the sun sets and then dessert tinder the stars with candle light. The food will be home prepared by me in an atmosphere that will be very memorable for all who attend. Also, if you make a reservation you must keep it or find someone to take your place if there are any last minute cancellations. In order to qualify you will contact my e-mail tonyalemonemsn.com and it will be a first come first serve to the first six people. If you have food allergies, I must know in advance or if you are vegetarian, I will adapt the meal. There will be several courses, beautiful music and a Friday (or Saturday) night date to remember not only for you but for me as well. See you in the Garden. . . . |