Table #1:
Diner: “Hi, Joe. Would you mind taking a picture with me?”
Me: “Not at all.”
Click.
Table #2:
Diner: “Hi. Can I get a picture with you too?
Me: “Of course.”
Snap.
Table #3:
Diner: “Joe, could I also get a picture?”
Me: “Sure thing.”
Click.
Table #4:
Me: “Hi. Would you like me to take a picture with you or your wife?”
Diner: “Who are you? What the hell is going on here?”
We had all gathered at Fuel – Marty G., myself, some thirty Stargate fans, and a handful of bewildered innocents who kept throwing anxious intermittent our way – for a spectacular night of food and fun. A great turnout made for a truly memorable evening. We were even surprised by an assortment of presents: cards, chocolates, jerky, and a framed photo of Martin and I from 2004. At one point, it felt as though Martin and I were celebrating a wedding anniversary. Especially when Shirt ’n Tie gifted me with two Waterford Crystal toasting flutes. Much appreciated!
Martin and I arrived at 7:00 p.m. on the nose, ordered our meals, then did a tour of the room, introducing ourselves, finding out a little about our guests, tasting their meals, and moving on. “Hi,”I greeted a table of two. “What’re your screen names?” One of the diners was hesitated. “It’s not Trevor, is it?”I asked. “No, no,”she assured me. “But I have a son named Trevor.” Quickly adding: “And he’s not THAT Trevor.” Then, after some thought: “I’ll post on your blog tomorrow, and I’ll be sure to sign my name Not Trevor.” Well, besides Not Trevor, the crowd included Kamala42, Jstiven, Krisz, MamaSue9, Jack’s CSM, Col. Mike, Arctic Goddess, BAR, Asmir47, OregonJen, L-Jade, Daniel’s Shadow, cute-as-can-be, Vikitty, myth86, Clamial, maeveBran, Nathan, Sechemech-1B, LCShepp, Demonique and, of course, Shirt ’n Tie who was kind enough to supply me with a list of the attendees at night‘s end.
Wonderful company and a spectacular meal. Martin and I left our fate in the hands of Chef Belcham, just daring him to try to kill us. And, to his credit, he did try. He started by lulling us into a false sense of confidence with the German butter potato and rosemary soup with pork confit and smoked paprika for me, and a delectable hen’s egg served with traditional Italian brodo for Martin, then following that with a kabocha squash and smoked polder side duck salad for me, and the Aleppo pepper seared albacore tuna for Martin. Next up was the dish that nearly did us in: the killer Foie Gras Terrine For Two. One of the most sinfully delicious dishes I‘ve eaten in recent memory. We followed the terrine with the lemon and radicchio risotto, and a unbelievably tasty gnocchi plate. Then came the piece de resistance: the Confit of Sloping Hills Pork Belly Rack. Ho-ly Smokes! Definitely one of the top ten dishes to try before you die. For dessert –
A Manjari chocolate mousse and two glasses of red later and I was done. We said our goodbyes and I returned home, satisfied and thoroughly sated. I felt great – until around two a.m. when I awoke, perspiring, feeling very much like I’d fallen asleep by a blast furnace. WTF? Was it the food? The wine? Some bug I’d come down with? Nope. Turns out the people who came in to shampoo the carpets had inadvertently knocked the thermostat in my room to a tropical 35 celsius (about 95 Fahrenheit)!
Today’s blog is dedicated to Shirt ‘n Tie’s infinitely understanding wife Deirdre and his three daughters Deirbhile, Hazel and Baby Dee who allowed him to run wild in Vancouver – and of course everyone who showed up for last night’s dinner.
NOTE FOR ANYONE SHOWING UP FOR THURSDAY NIGHT’S DINNER: I understand some of you have chosen to attend the Gateworld dinner instead. If that’s the case, please be sure to cancel your reservation at Fuel so that the restaurant can free up the table for other interested parties. Thanks!
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