A 50th Birthday Dinner in Barcelona, Spain

"I'm capable of clearing my head for two hours at a stretch.
It's not easily done you know!"
-as heard while watching
the NYC Broadway Show
"The Philanthropist",
starring Matthew Broderick

On the morning of my 50th birthday (May 26, 2009) I was thrilled to see my photo published in the La Vanguardia newspaper in Barcelona, Spain. That was not my only surprise of the day.

Alan and I accompanied Bret and Mimi to the MIRO museum. Bret and Mimi had traveled from Napa Valley to be in Barcelona for my birthday. What a treat! It was beautiful at the MIRO museum up on the hill.

We took a taxi back to ‘Rambla de Catalunya’ where we enjoyed an outdoor lunch at Diviniti Restaurant, Rossello 231, 08008, Barcelona. Brett and Mimi departed for the Gaudi structure viewings while Alan and I did some shopping damage at places like ‘Zara’ and ‘Camper’.

“It’s time for our siesta,” Alan said in his exhaustive tone. “It’s time to rest for the big dinner tonight.”
“Good, I need a siesta,” I replied, feeling rather thrashed and ready for a nap.
We walked into the lobby of the hotel and Alan says, “Wait a minute, look in here at the lobby.”
This lobby is quite beautiful. It’s where a scene from the movie ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ took place.
I walk in and I get the “Paloma Surprise”.

On a plush couch in the distance I see Paloma seated with her husband, Alexandre, surrounded by several wrapped gifts. I was so surprised! I mean, I had a feeling I would see Paloma for dinner at some point but this moment was quite excitedly unexpected. Fantastic!

At 7pm we enjoyed a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne in our suite. Paloma and Alexandre arrived first as our television had a Spanish bullfight going on. Soon Mimi and Brett arrived with a longtime friend, Coleman Andrews, a notable food and wine critic. He wrote a book called ‘Catalan Cuisine’
http://www.amazon.com/Catalan-Cuisine-Colman-Andrews/dp/1558323295

PHOTO: Before Dinner
Left to Right:
Coleman, Alexandre, Alan, Mimi, Paloma, Bret, Michael

Obviously, I never had my siesta for the day. We all ventured over to Comerc, 24, at 24 Carrer Comerc, 08003, Barcelona, for dinner. The courses were unbelievable: Olives stuffed with anchovies,
Golden Macadamia nuts,
Porc Corn with guacahina,
Grissini with pesto, Filo, PARMA, lime and basil,
Sardines with blood orange and wasabi,
Avocado and lobster makis,

Consomme with parmesan, truffle and egg,

Kinder egg,

Duck rice with foie,

Farm Chicken with king prawns,

Sirloin with roses and berries,
Bread, oil, Chocolate and salt,
Mueslie, Yogurt passion,
Mandarin passion mint,
Nougat with tuille cigar, chocolate and coffee,
Black sesam Oreo with vanilla and
Sable with pineapple and meringue.

And the Birthday Cake was made by Oriol Balaguer. He is known as the best pastry chef in the world (2003). I just found him on FACEBOOK and ‘Became a Fan’:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oriol-Balaguer/57958909607

The ‘pina colada’ style cake he made for my Birthday (pictured above) was so unbelievably DELICIOUS. The presentation alone was enough to “oooh and ahhh” about.

The dinner was fabulous and it was one birthday dinner I shall never forget. It was more than a dinner. It was an 'experience'. When in Barcelona be sure to visit Comerc, 24. It's the BEST. Yummy!

PHOTO: After Dinner


Twenty-five years ago today:

June 15, 1984
Friday

Oh yeah, I remember last night when I stopped by to see Sherri she was getting ready to go out with her girlfriend, Gina. Suddenly her mother (Janet) stopped by with some humongous strawberries for us!

Tonight mom took the day off because it was her 27th Wedding Anniversary! Mom and Dad married on June 15, 1957. Ironically, she and dad spent the day cleaning the townhouse at 3330 Cook Lane. They enjoy that feeling of accomplishment when they have done a job well done. I gave them their champagne goblets as an anniversary gift. They don’t really drink champagne but they can still use them to drink wine or KOOL-AID.

I received a telephone call from Sherri.
“Could you bring the Baby Pageant raffle tickets over to the house?” Sherri asked.
I guess she was able to sell a few extra. When I arrived at the house her friend, Gina, was there again. She was watching that movie that John is so obsessed about (Eddie & The Cruisers).
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=eddie%20and%20the%20cruisers&docid=976036102884&mid=106EC7359A17963DEF37106EC7359A17963DEF37&FORM=VIVR11

Gina is cute. I believe she is of Hawaiian descent. She really has a nicely shaped body. She is petite and her ass turns me on. Gina left midway through the film to pick up a friend (so she said).

I played with Ashley for a while until I decided to come home. I liked hanging out with mom and dad in celebration of their Anniversary. I turned in to bed by eleven o’clock that evening.