Long Hollow

I gained three pounds Saturday night but it was worth it.

My friend Tamara and her husband Rod were in town and invited us to meet them for dinner. Tom, as I mentioned yesterday, was out of commission because of his back, but he urged me to go anyway, without him. I think it was just to get me to leave him alone (Do you need anything? Did you take some ibuprofen? Want the heating pad? Don't you think you should get in the jacuzzi tub?)

It didn't take much arm-twisting. I hadn't seem Tamara in ages! Or at least it seems that way. So I touched up my makeup and headed into Austin to Eddie V's.

I'd never been there, but Tamara and Rod had just eaten there the night before for Tamara's birthday, and raved about it. They enjoyed it so much they picked it again so I could experience it.

Oh. My. Gosh. For the next few hours I was in Taste Bud Heaven… 

We shared a smorgasbord of appetizers (it was Happy Hour, discounted prices, so we splurged!) The Maryland Style Crab Cake, the Salt & Pepper Gulf Shrimp, Pacific Ahi (pretty much sliced raw tuna… I was very hesitant at first, but, oh-my-gosh-again, it just melted in my mouth!), calimari (another first for me, although my kids love it), scallops, and Sliced Wagyu Beef "Hot Rock" Ishiyaki, paper thin slices of beef you literally cook yourself right there at your table on a hot rock, flipping it with your chopsticks. And somehow we found room in our stomachs to share a flaming Bananas Foster for dessert. Magic in my mouth!

Maybe some of you are yawning, but this was a night of gastronomic firsts for me, and I loved it! Of course, getting to spend a few hours catching up with Tamara and getting to know Rod a little better was the best part. (I just wish Tom could have been there! Next time… !)

 Cheers to one of those memory-laced but strong-as-steel friendships (and happy birthday, Tamara!)