1/ True story:
My parents weren't keen on having kids around. They didn't like the idea of birthday parties with lots of local kids.
So one year they announced a new policy: the child who was having a birthday could celebrate by having dinner at a restaurant of their choosing.
My parents weren't keen on having kids around. They didn't like the idea of birthday parties with lots of local kids.
So one year they announced a new policy: the child who was having a birthday could celebrate by having dinner at a restaurant of their choosing.
2/ Not only that - it would just be the birthday child, not the others.
So my brother's 12th was celebrated at A&W, which we often went to for a treat after church on Sundays.
My sister's 4th was celebrated at the newly opened McDonald's.
My turn came. It would be my 10th.
So my brother's 12th was celebrated at A&W, which we often went to for a treat after church on Sundays.
My sister's 4th was celebrated at the newly opened McDonald's.
My turn came. It would be my 10th.
3/ They asked where I wanted to go. We lived in Montréal, and they might have expected me to choose St. Hubert (chicken) or Ruby Foo's (Chinese Canadian).
I chose Le Tournebroche, a French restaurant in the Chateau Champlain hotel.
Started with the oxtail soup. Have no memory
I chose Le Tournebroche, a French restaurant in the Chateau Champlain hotel.
Started with the oxtail soup. Have no memory
4/ of the main course, but the pastry selection for dessert arrived on a cart. I asked how many I was allowed to have. Apparently there was no limit.
I had four.
The birthday policy was suspended after that. But decades later I still remember the red drapes and carpet, the rich
I had four.
The birthday policy was suspended after that. But decades later I still remember the red drapes and carpet, the rich
5/ flavourful soup, food that was worth eating.
Later that year I took over much of the cooking at home, and continued to be the main cook through high school and into university.
I only held one dinner party for my friends.
@PatriciaBrush was a guest - she contributed
Later that year I took over much of the cooking at home, and continued to be the main cook through high school and into university.
I only held one dinner party for my friends.
@PatriciaBrush was a guest - she contributed
6/ chopped liver, which I had never tasted, and I fell in love with it and still make it on occasion.
Unless I am remembering another occasion when she introduced me to chopped liver... LOLZ I say that because I get an image of a fireplace mantel, which we didn't have. So I
Unless I am remembering another occasion when she introduced me to chopped liver... LOLZ I say that because I get an image of a fireplace mantel, which we didn't have. So I
7/ might be conflating memories, although I know she was at the dinner party. There were 12 of us, at my parents' house.
My parents didn't mind our adult friends. Quite enjoyed them.
I am a better cook now. But those two meals, about 10 years apart, are memorable. The first for
My parents didn't mind our adult friends. Quite enjoyed them.
I am a better cook now. But those two meals, about 10 years apart, are memorable. The first for
8/ making me aware of how terrific food can be. The second for making me appreciate how amazing people can be - funny and talented and vibrant.
I never tried to recreate the magic of either event. Didn't need to. They stood alone, somehow complete and satisfying.
I never tried to recreate the magic of either event. Didn't need to. They stood alone, somehow complete and satisfying.
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