A Damn Near Perfect Day

Today was the day that Norma treated me to lunch in the Manhattan eatery of my choice to commemorate my 20th anniversary with the company. I always enjoy lunch with Norma; we can have a drink, we can linger and talk about things outside of work and she appreciates good food as much as I do. In the end, I chose Balthazar as my restaurant of choice and at the appointed hour, we arrived there. It was a balmy spring day and Norma was in fine relaxed mettle. The restaurant itself was fully realized French bistro; oversized distressed mirrors, stacks of rustic loaves of bread wedged into metal baker shelves, rows of interesting patrons in European eye wear cohabitating in intimate leather banquettes. Fabulous.

We sidled into a small table space and immediately perused the cocktail menu. I ordered a cocktail that combined champagne, Sauternes and something else. It was delish. For the appetizer, Norma ordered a frisee salad with a soft poached egg and fat chunks of bacon.I had a cerviche that was almost perfect: captured in a nest of a radicchio leaf, there were rings of calamari, chunks of lobster, sections of shrimp, some clam and crab, all dressed in a citrus vinaigrette, dotted with diced red and yellow pepper and capers, tossed with impossibly fresh cilantro. It was sublime and I could have eaten just that. But of course I didn't.

Norma and I both ordered a classic steak pomme frites as our entree. The steak wasn't perfect (and granted, I did select the flank steak version), but the combination of the meat with the crisp fries and herbed butter was rather delicious. We sipped a glass of pinot that Norma had selected (and I do trust her palate--she knows her wines) and chatted at leisure. We speculated about a Ralph Lauren magazine-ad-worthy-family situated next to us (caveat: they had Southern--I'd venture Texan--accents). Clearly monied people, they were interesting. We talked about a lot of things. I do love this especially about Norma--I never have to censor myself with her.

We finished the meal with a duo of double expressos and shared a meringue and mixed berry dessert. Norma gifted me with my company anniversary offering--a classic Tiffany bracelet. We then left the restaurant with full bellies and as we stepped outside, saw the weather was accommodating. In fact all around us we could see that volatile muse Spring was staring to flex her muscles. We decided to walk all the way back to the office. I'm glad we did. The forsythia was fluttering golden blooms. Cropped bushes were sprouting infant greens. Bulbs had broken ground and were crowning with future hyacinths and tulips. Daffodils were poised with lowered heads. A particularly magnificent magnolia tree situated outside an old church was on the precipice of erupting into a ritious explosion of curved pink seduction. It was a thrill to take in this beauty around us and we walked at a satisfying pace back to our workspace in Chelsea.

What an absolutely lovely day.