Choices, Choices

Yesterday was my twenty year work anniversary. You heard me right. 20 years ago, I joined the company that I work for now although it has changed dramatically over the years and now goes by a different name. The parent company is still the same and I've worked with some of the same people this whole time. It's offered me numerous intriguing challenges over the years which I've thoroughly enjoyed so I've stayed on. Who knew I'd become a potential Lifer?

In commemoration of said milestone I received a tidy check from the parent company, a congratulatory note from my boss Norma (who also joined the company 20 years ago) and a gift of my choice from Tiffany (they of the fabulous blue boxes). Today my Connecticut peeps bestowed on me an enormous bouquet of tulips and a generous gift certificate to be redeemed at the day spa at Sak's Fifth Avenue. And if this wasn't enough fussing, Norma offered me the pieces de resistance: an offer of lunch at the restaurant of my choice in Manhattan. Does it get much better, people?

I couldn't resist the tease so I told Norma I wanted to go to Per Se, Thomas Keller's three star Michelin rated restaurant in Time Warner Center. Keller is the mastermind behind the brilliant restaurant French Laundry in Napa Valley (which is morewines' turf) and Per Se is continuously highly ranked among the best restaurants in New York City. Mindful that the prix fixe menu ran around $275 a person (without wine), I was curious what Norma would say. She very politely demurred and offered me any other choice: what about Nobu or Restaurant Daniel or La Bernadin? In the end, I ventured a place I really did want to eat at: Balthazar. For me, French bistro fare is a winner every time.

This should keep me going for another 20 years.