Antoine had invited me and my wife to dinner. This turned out to be one of the best evenings spent so far in Brisbane.
Everything was very fine about this evening. Antoine’s warm and cordial company was matched very well by his simple but delicious pasta and Greek salad with a glass of Vina Rosa. Antoine remarked that he did not cook very often and so he asked us whether we liked the food. I rated him a 10 on 10 and Shobha wanted to give him an 11! He found it flattering and felt that we were just being good and courteous guests. Then I did something which in my opinion is always the best expression of appreciating good tasting food. I got up and took a second helping – almost as much in quantity as in the first serve. He was overwhelmed and felt happy. Considering that he spends most evenings by himself ( because his family lives in Sydney ), this was indeed a happy evening for him in our company.
The dinner concluded with Vanilla ice-cream on Apple pie and a cup of hot, black Dilmah.
We then sat in his balcony and chatted for a while before Shobha and I took his leave. One of the finest evenings, truly.
The Story bridge looked splendid – with blue diamond like lights – on our way back home. The way back home was noisy! Three reasons for this – One: today concludes the Brisbane festival which had started on September 3,Two: This is a Saturday night, Three – And this is important – Tomorrow is ‘National Sleep in’ day in Australia in support of people afflicted with mitochondrial disease ( who have no choice about being bed ridden ). God bless them all and give them strength.
Cheerio.
Sudhir Iyer's Blog 