A New York night out

Last night I told Patty I had drunk more alcohol than I have in a very long time. She hoped I hadn't done so by myself in a darkened room. I said I couldn't do that; I'd get sick. She said the love of my life would choose to walk into the room at that point, see me covered in vomit, and run. I said I'd probably be wearing plaid.

The evening had started at the SoHo Grand. The company was throwing a party for a client contact who was leaving New York for Ohio. When choosing drinks, one co-worker asked another for recommendations. She said to choose the most expensive drink. I started with a vanilla infused vodka mixed with pineapple. Delicious. I followed that with a tartini: vodka mixed with raspberry puree and cranberry juice. It tasted just this side of a jolly rancher. Heather, who's pregnant, ordered a margarita on behalf of someone; she said it allowed her to live vicariously through them.

At seven I left for Hagi, a sake bar on 49th Street. Hiromi had said to meet at 7.30. The place was small, in the basement of another restaurant. I arrived five minutes late, but ahead of Hiromi. The restaurant was populated solely by Japanese. The waitress asked two men to allow me space at the bar. I waited.

A couple entered the restaurant and after waiting a few minutes I told the bartender that I could relinquish my seat if she wanted. She said no, she didn't want to work so hard. The place had been packed since early in the evening and she wanted a rest. She offered me tea and I continued to wait as she washed glasses.

Hiromi arrived past eight. She's been averaging 45 minutes late each time we meet, but it's ok. I've had books to read. She apologized and then ordered for the both of us: grilled fish, smelt, shrimp cooked just so in a tomato cream sauce, dumplings, edamame. She ordered a yogurt shoku mixed drink for herself and an oolong tea shoku drink for me. I was surprised how light it was.

By the end of dinner I had lost my buzz. Before dessert she said we should have one more drink. She ordered plum wine and soda. I said I'd stick to the tea and shoku. When my drink arrived, it came in a different glass and I could taste the alcohol. I looked askance at Hiromi and asked what she had ordered for me before; apparently I had been served straight iced tea. And I had been surprised at how much I could imbibe. Posted by eku at March 4, 2005 10:32 AM