Rendez-vous in midtown with cheese and chocolate on the side

I agreed to the date halfheartedly, since my mind is all over work and moving and dancing and Peanut's baby shower, which I regret to say I just don't have much of a hand in. I just can't get focused about anything that is not right in front of my face right now. It's stressful, because I am so very happy for Salty and I wish I could be with her during this exciting time in her life. I am trying to rally.

Anyway, I figured if nothing else I would have a nice evening (Date is great to talk to) and then get to bed early to rest up for dealing with apartment stuff the next day. So I agreed. But where should we go? What will we do? What should I wear?

Date said to wear a dress, comfortable, cute shoes, and to bring only my "bad self" to the corner of 52nd and 9th Avenue. Date would take it from there.

I got a little excited! I bought new comfortable, cute shoes for the occasion ($9 at the Laila Rowe) and painted my toenails! I spent time on my hair and tied a pretty scarf around my neck just so!

I never really dated before a few months ago. I didn't go on dates in high school, instead I hung out with groups of friends or just met up at someone's house. One guy I "dated" took me to the ballet to see The Nutcracker at my very insistent request. In college it was much the same; meeting at parties or getting together with guys and girls from my very large and somewhat incestuous group of friends. My little punk rock acolyte boyfriend took me to a concert and then to the Waffle House once. JH and I met through friends and almost immediately were living together. He took me on a few fancy dates in New Orleans (like when we got engaged), but never really of his own volition and always with some protest at not being able to wear a t-shirt and jeans. So yeah. I was excited to be told to wear a dress and meet at an unfamiliar corner in Hell's Kitchen! Yeah!

We met at a tiny restaurant that serves wine and cheese almost exclusively, save for a few salads and such. When I arrived the first thing Date said was, "You look...gorgeous!" I had my doubts about having wine and cheese for dinner but the conversation was excellent, the waitstaff pleasant, and the first glass of wine--a grapefruity Chardonnay--aromatic and brilliant. We selected a plate of five cheeses (Date let me choose) and coincidentally the server recommended a sparkling Shiraz for our second glass--we had talked on a prior meeting about the elusiveness of sparkling Shiraz in American establishments. It was delicious!

The cheese arrived with delicate slices of bread and each type was beautifully garnished with a complimentary flavored item; jam, mustard, white chocolate dipped gooseberries, and picked quail eggs.

The best though, no question, was this amazing German blue cheese served with wafer-thin slices of dark chocolate. It sounded kinda funny but when I put it in my mouth I was pleasantly surprised. I am telling the absolute truth when I say that a moment after this cheese and chocolate combination hit my tongue I felt a rush through my entire body. I actually shuddered unintentionally. My reaction was well received by Date, who told me to eat the rest of the blue cheese because it was more fun to watch me eat it than it was to actually taste it. Anyway I think Date liked the one with the quail eggs better.

We followed up with an earthy, chocolaty red wine (I don't remember what kind) and goat cheese hazelnut truffles. They were great, but did not compare to the exquisite blue and 70% cacao.

After an indulgent meal (and not at all cheap--I accidentally saw the bill) and a lovely dining experience Date insisted on having another drink. I was led to the Russian Vodka Room, which is exactly what it sounds like. Think Cold War. Think guy in a trenchcoat with a conspicuous newspaper and fedora. Date impressed me by ordering in Russian and I impressed right back by lauding my delicious martini in French. We sat in the back room and whispered secretively to each other across from a large party of giggling girls. It was fun playing spies! It was very romantic!

Date walked me to the train at Times Square and kissed me on the busy street, practically begging me not to go. I said thank you and reminded us both about my early plans the next day. With a smile and a wave I flitted off down the stairs.