dinner

Tony and Eric,

Wednesday night Eric and I went downtown to listen to Anthony Bourdain share some excerpts from his new book and have a wonderful dinner with the guy. The book reading wasn’t supposed to start about 6pm but we got there early because it was highly suggested we did. We had also decided to take the Max downtown so we could enjoy ourselves and not worry about how we would get home. We got to The Heathman about 5pm and you would have thought the reading was starting in just a few minutes because there was a ton and a half of people. The only spot available to actually site was what we thought not such a choice seat because there was this round seating in the way so you couldn’t see the piano and we figured since the books were over there that he’d be reading from there. We were pleasantly surprised when Anthony cam out an hour later, stood on the stairs, where EVERYONE, could see him and shared some excerpts from his book. Man the guy is so funny and just cuts to the quick on a lot of things. We all laughed and enjoyed what he chose to share. He then opened it up to questions from the audience. I thought that was great as people got to ask him things and he took the time to really answer them. Eric even got the opportunity to ask him a question. Eric asked him, What was the worst thing he had to do on the TV show? Anthony replied with, the massage in Russia and eating warthog.We all had a laugh at that one. I was pleasantly surprised that Anthony answered questions for so long. After the question period they had people form two lines so he could sign their books. I went around to where he was signing so Id be ready when Eric cam in to take the picture. It took FOREVER for Eric to get up in the line to have his booked signed. Finally he did though and Anthony was very accommodating. I couldn’t help thinking as I was standing there waiting for Eric how Tony must feel. I mean there were all sorts of people asking him to stand up, turn around, and look this way to take his picture. That had to get on his nerves but he was accommodating to people. It made me think how we treat popular people almost like an object, rather than a person. Not necessarily a good thing.

So after Eric got his book signed we headed upstairs to be seated for dinner. I really liked the way they did that too. I had assumed when I made the reservations and said two people wed sit at a table for two but they had round tables and sat any where from 8-12 people at a table. It was really neat because we got to meet some other people that I wouldn’t have known. There were two friends there, Stephanie and Jonna (yeah, I met another Jonna, thats only the second one Ive ever met).that were so nice. We all talked wine, food, and places to go in Portland. It was nice to sit with great people and talk about the things we all liked. We exchanged information so we could all get together, Eric and I, Stephanie, Jonna and their husbands, for a wonderful dinner. There was another couple that was transplants from northern New York state. They were nice too but the wife, I thought, was a little full of herself. The last couple was a husband and wife from Portland and their little 5 month old baby. Man that baby was cute and surprisingly quiet. We all sat and talked and had wonderful wine all night. The best part was when the dinner came. I had all sorts of things Id never heard of before or had. First up was a crostinis with rabbit liver and some sauce on it. It was so yummy. I wanted another one. I thought what a tease to just give me one. Wheres the plate of them. Of course I was totally hungry too. Next up was a salad with lamb tongue, onions and lettuce. It was interesting to see how it was presented. Basically it was one BIG leaf of butter lettuce, the lamb tongue, Walla Walla onions and then the sauce. I dont know what I expected with tongue but it was good. Id never had that sort of thing before and the thought of eating some animals tongue didn’t really excite me but I had to go with the flow and at least try. Dang, it was good. Nice and tasty, yummy goodness. I could have eaten a couple of those. The main course was lamb with white beans under the lamb. Again, very yummy. There was quite a bit there so I wasn’t going to starve. Oh, and I think about this time we hit bottle number two of the red wine we were drinking. It was so nice to sit there with people we didn’t know and just talk about all sorts of things. I really liked that idea. I learned about some great places to go eat, great tips and tricks with food. It was cool too that people were really talking about wine and the perceptions that some people have that you have to spend a lot of money for a good wine, or how some people are wine snobs and theres really not room for those people. Wine should be enjoyed and be part of a great meal with out pretense. I love these people. Dessert was a floating island. Id never really had one of those before, lots of meringue and a little custard beneath it but nothing to write home about. I would have preferred something else, of course something chocolate or cheesecake or something.

It was neat too that while we were eating Anthony Bourdain came by and sat with us for a while to just shoot the BS. I was so impressed; hes really like just what you see on TV. It was funny too because after he’d sat with us and moved on to another table he came back by and Stephanie jumped up and asked for a hug, and got one… oh and a kiss. It was so cute and funny at the same time. Stephanie and Jonna really got giddy just being around Tony. All in all the evening was FANTASTIC!!! I would highly recommend that sort of thing to anyone. I’m thinking I need to sign Eric and me up for another one sometime soon, if theres another author coming soon. It was so nice to be around other foodies and enjoy the whole experience.

Tagged as: anthony_bourdain, dinner, eric, heathman

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