Who Needs a Man When You Have Chocolate!

So we didn’t go to the Slow Club after all… We were on our way to check out the new St. Regis Hotel when it just got too late (can you believe this town stops serving food at 10:00 pm?) and, in the mood for something pretty – location, décor and people, we decided upon the Slanted Door where you are guaranteed all three.

We were greeted by our favorite maitre d’, Jen Louise, always accommodating and generous, who found us two seats at the bar and introduced us to our bartender, Bill. What followed was nothing less than gastronomical heaven… Japanese yellowtail with fried shallots and Thai basil – to die for! Crispy Imperial Rolls, which you wrap inside a lettuce leaf with a sprinkling of rice noodles a hint of mint and dipping sauce – messy but worth it! Papaya salad – superbly simple and refreshing. Barbecued Willis Ranch pork spare ribs with honey-hoisen sauce… more messy fingers, but the staff has thought of that and provides steaming cloths in the nick of time, which unfortunately precludes sucking your fingers clean!

All washed down with my favorite cocktail, Ginger Kaffir Limeade – a delicious concoction of Kaffir Lime Vodka, ginger, and lime juice, on the rocks. Now, not to say that Bill was lacking in any way, but nothing beats the deft hand of the creator of this cocktail, who is none other than the hot and humble Thad Vogler, currently on hiatus in Guatemala doing voluntary work. As Mr. A said, “I wish I could be that magnanimous!” I say, “Hurry home, Thad… We miss you!”

If all that deliciousness wasn’t enough, Jen Louise enticed us into ordering dessert… OMG… the E. Guittard dark chocolate pot de crème with espresso granite is orgasmic... truly! Along with which we delicately sipped a glass of Chateau de Rayne Vigneau, Sauternes, 1997… What a perfect Valentines Day... or any day for that matter.