The Chef's Critic

Chapter 5 - Chance Encounter

Richard's afternoon had gone and before he knew it, it was already 8 PM. He was about to leave his office when he saw Sam walking towards him.

"You're still here? Don't you have a date?" Sam said.

"Date? Why?" he was then puzzled with his friend's question.

"Well, its Valentine's Day, and I believe a lot of women have asked you out." He then said "You're supposed to be on a date. Have dinner first, and then get laid. That's actually the correct sequence."

Richard spoke, "You know that I don't have time for that. I have a lot of things to do better than date those shallow women flaunting their bodies at me." And then her mind flashed the image of the lady she encountered earlier. "Unless it's her, then I won't bother going on a date." He unknowingly said.

Sam then laugh out loud because of what he heard. "Well, looks like we are both dateless this night. Might as well let's have dinner together and get something to drink afterwards."

Richard then asked "You don't have a date? That's something new."

"I was supposed to have a date at this restaurant but my date cancelled the last minute." He said. "Don't worry, the restaurant is one of the finest. You can write a blog on this one afterwards."

Since Richard doesn't have any evening plan, he decided to just join his friend for the night. They both went out and walked to the French restaurant three blocks away.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

At the L' Hexagone de Clover the kitchen was hustling and buzzling with all the activities taking place at the same time. It was evening as expected was to be a busy one with all the expected customers arriving at least 5 minutes ahead of their schedule and a long line still waiting to be seated. A lot of orders were placed and everyone was engrossed with their own tasks. Everyone wanted to be at their best performance and so far so good, the night is becoming a success.

Richard and Sam arrived at L' Hexagone de Clover. They were immediately seated. Since Richard and Sam was known customer the manager approached them. They were given the menu and they started to read it.

After a few minutes, they have decided what to order. Sam called the attention of the waiter and placed their order. Sam ordered Veau Braise a la Provencale (Lightly Braised Veal Cheeks in a Reduced Veal and Tomato Citrus Broth, Sundried Tomato & Goat Cheese Bread Pudding while Richard ordered Filet Mignon ala Bordelaise (Grilled Medallions of Beef Tenderloin Reduction of Chablis, Shallots Thyme Lemon & Veal Glace, Potato Gratin, Porcini & Crimini Mushrooms). They also ordered Pinon Meunier as their wine.

After about 30 minutes, their food were served. They started to eat and just had a normal conversation from work, to stock markets. They also touched the topic of dating and Richard's mind immediately procured the image of the lady she encountered earlier that day. She was still lost in his thoughts when the waiter then approached them and offered for desert. The waiter did mentioned that a special cake was baked by their sous chef and is being offered just for tonight. The cake was a simple sponge cake. Upon hearing this, Richard then readily ordered for a slice. Sam did ordered one as well. The waiter then did served the sponge cake.

When Richard tasted the cake, he then remembered the girl he saw in one of their restaurants when he was a teenager. And after remembering that night, the face of the angel he ran into earlier followed. Upon remembering those two events a familiar feeling resurfaced. A feeling that he last felt on that one Christmas Eve in Paris. Once he had consumed the cake, he called on the waiter and ordered two more slices to be brought home. He also requested to talk to the chef who prepared the said pastry. When he looked at Sam, he saw amusement in his eyes as he is not known to compliment chefs. Sam knew that Richard had this alternate/shadow life wherein he serves as food critic and whatever he writes can either make or break a chef's career.