I did not have any time over the last couple of days to post anything new or edit one of the approximately 37 posts I have ‘in progress’. I had planned to finish a new rant, but I ran out of time. Tonight, instead of sitting home to watch the debate and get loaded, we have the first of our season tickets to our current favorite theater. As is our norm, we go out to dinner before and turn it into a weeknight date night.

I chose a BYOB in the middle of the city called Will. It was a pain in the donkey to get to due to the traffic but I had heard great things about the restaurant, so I was hoping it was worth it. I was also hoping it was worth it since I had pulled a half bottle of my favorite champagne and a nice bottle of 1er Cru Santenay.

We were a bit late for the 5:45 reservation (5:45? for chrissakes, I am not 65 yet), but the place was virtually empty–although it only held 30 people–there might be an existential question in there some where.  We ordered oysters for an appetizer–something that still surprises the bejesus out of both of us. We were never oyster people until a scant 22 months ago when our dear friends in Paris converted us (it was Christmas Eve and oysters are some sort of tradition–who were we to buck tradition?) . We have been hooked ever since. This rendition had some champagne and a green apple sorbet. Incredible. The pairing with the champagne was fabulous (but then just about every pairing with champagne is fabulous).

In between the courses we chatted a bit about the boys and our respective employment. My wife had some good gossip to share, but I was afraid that I did not have any dirt of my own to contribute–I will need to try just a little bit harder, I guess.

Then came the main courses: monkfish with a red wine sauce and braised short ribs:

I really do not have much time to wax poetically about the meal since it is now intermission at the play. My wife is rolling her eyes, but indulging my iPhone blogging. The play is called Next to Normal and is depressing as hell, but very good. I will not spoil it for you, but I was not prepared for it at all. The subject matter is something my wife encounters with her job on a daily basis–but not me and I was weeping like a willow (cue Neil Diamond). We also love the theater, The Arden, for its cozy ambiance and well done productions. The absolute best part of the entire evening, though, is being here with my beautiful bride on a weekday escape.

N.V. Gosset Grand Reserve Champagne: Half bottle. Retail ~$30 (for the half bottle) My absolute favorite NV brut. This simply rocks! Green apple and baked bread. Man I love this stuff! Excellent to Outstanding. 91-93 points.

2000 Domaine Roger Belland Santenay Beauregard 1er Cru: Retail ~$35. Santenay holds a very dear spot in my heart. Back when I was leading bike tours in France and I first fell in love with Burgundy, Santenay was my gateway drug–it was the only one that I could afford. This still had rich fruit from the get-go, and great structure and balance as well. An absolutely fantastic food wine.  Excellent to Outstanding 89-91 points.

I am finally back home and plopped down on the couch to catch the end of the debate. Man, I wish I had a (another) bottle of wine lined up, but a third bottle (even though one was a half bottle) on a Tuesday night would be a bit excessive.

Or would it?