My Valentine

This blog entry is only for me. It concerns my sweet Valentine and the Valentine gift he gave me. The question really is: How to explain and convey this experience? Well, it involves food. Anyone who knows me (especially my students!) know that I am a "foodie". Good food means a good life. This doesn't mean that I don't have the occasional iced coffee at McDonald's, but it does mean that I don't recognize this as food. It doesn't nurture, it doesn't take time, it doesn't bring people together. Those are the things real food do.

My Valentine gave me a gift of food because he knows me. H told me that he wanted to take me to dinner for Valentine's Day. Fair enough, that is a standard for Valentine's Day. But he wouldn't tell me where. Last time he pulled this trick for my birthday a few years back, I found myself at a Michelin starred restaurant. My curiosity was sparked. I put on a skirt and shined my shoes and when we got to the tram he gave me a clue. "Starts with "l""Hmm, didn't ring a bell. "Next letter is a". Still nothing. "D" And it is more than one word? "Yes." Oh my gosh! I think I know.

It was La Degustation Boheme, a world renowned restaurant that specializes in Czech infusion food. The menu consisted of names which anyone who's lived in Prague for awhile should know, but nothing was served as expected. I guess that's the beauty of infusion food. We were served such luxuries as cauliflower puree with caviar, quail egg in aspic, beef tongue and mini crepes.

The meal lasted of nearly 3 hours, during which time we were waited on as if we were the only diners in the restaurant even though it was full. The manager greeted us at the beginning of the meal and checked on us throughout.

It certainly isn't an every day experience, or even once a year. But at least once one should take part in this food theater. Bon apetit!