Ted took me to The Greenhouse Tavern for my birthday dinner. I have been wanting to go there since I first started reading about it-while it was under construction, and because I love Bar Cento (the pom frites! the potato-panchetta pizza!). I got all dressed up because it was my birthday and we were going to a restaurant that I was very excited to try. I was surprised when Ted came walking out in a sports jacket and tie. Boys I know don’t dress up-even for my birthday. And we looked good! And were the best-dressed couple at TGT. And I’d like to think the reason Jonathan Sawyer talked to us twice!
Before I talk about the amazing meal, let me start with the wine: Box Car Syrah 2006. I picked it because smoked bacon and raspberries were listed as the flavors. Plus it was one of the cheaper wines on the list. This wine was so full-bodied, so robust, I feel like it’s the wine I’ve been looking for all my life. Best. Wine. Ever. And a great compliment for one of the best meals of my life.
We both went with the chef’s sampler where you get to pick 4 dishes. And we made sure to pick different dishes for each course so we could try more. First course, Ted picked the butter and bread and I picked the french breakfast radishes. So basic, you think, maybe boring? So wrong. These dishes were so simple but so amazing. My radishes had a hint of lemon juice that really brought out the flavor and the butter on both the bread and radishes was so smooth and had such a great taste. We tried in vain to hide the butter from the waitress so we could use in on other dishes. She found it and took it away.
Second course: Ted got the pork (not) belly and I got the beef tartare frites. Though I really liked the soft boiled egg to dip my fries in, and the beef tasted awesome, Ted won this round because the pork was so moist and juicy.
For thirds I got the Coq au Vin and he got the Ohio Goat Pasta. I won this round because I’ve never had chicken that was so tender.
The deserts were also good but since they didn’t offer anything chocolate, nothing was capable of being great. But I did enjoy my apple tart. Overall one of the best meals of my life-and that is saying a lot because I’ve eaten at some amazing places: Lola (Cleveland) Lolita (Cleveland), Flying Fig (Cleveland), Freemans (NYC), Buddakan (NYC), Prune (NYC).
Before we went to dinner Ted gave me my birthday presents. The book is a biography of one of my favorite bands, Broken Social Scene. Their first album, You Forgot it in the People, is THE album I listen to at night in the field to fall asleep. The only time in my life I listen to music to fall asleep. And now I think for the rest of my life, when I hear the album, it will make me think of Alberta and Ethiopia.
I also got a print by this guy. Ted said he picked the particular print because it kinda refers to the fag hag in me. And I do kinda get all flirty and perky around it, just like I do when I’m around my favorite gay men. I can’t wait to get it framed and hung up, most likely in the living room, where I’ve been spending most of my time lately.
