Extravagance

A while ago, I was wondering how much I could spend on a single dinner, going overboard and everything. I think that while it's unnecessary, considering the amount I spent could easily feed a family in a third world country for a year, I believe that that is the price of the experience, not the meal. And sometimes the experience can't be obtained any other way. And so, I found this menu at this restaurant in New York City, called Per Se. There's only two choices, the Chef's Tasting Menu and the Vegetarian Menu. And so I will list the items on the Chef's Tasting menu for June 28, 2007.

"Oysters and Pearls"
"Sabayon" of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters
and Sterling white Sturgeon Caviar

Salad of Mission Figs "Aigre-Douces"
Redondo Iglesias Serrano Ham, Heirloom Radishes "Cuits et Crus."
Petite Mache and Aged Balsamic Vinegar

"Peach Melba"
Terrine of Hudson Valley Moulard Duck Foie Gras
Frog Hollow Farm's Peach Jelly, Pickled Peaches
Marinated Red Onion, "Melba Toast" and Crispy Carolina Rice

Sauteed Fillet of "Rouget Barbet"
Globe Artichokes, Sweet 100 Tomatoes, Braised Sunchokes
and Garden Tarragon with Espelette-Scented Tomato "Vierge"

Butter Poached Nova Scotia Lobster
Baked Young Beets, Celery Branch Batons and Mustard Greens
with Green Apple Mustard Cream

Sirloin of 24 Carrot Farm's Rabbit
Caramelized Belgian Endive, Rainier Cherry Marmalade
and Mizuna Leaves with Rabbit Jus

"Medaillon De Cervelle De Veau"
Cranberry Bean Ravioli, "Haricots Verts," Confit of Kettle Garlic
and Summer Truffles with "Sauce Perigoudine"

Snake River Farm's "Calotte De Boeuf Grillee"
Bone Marrow Stuffed Cipollini Onion, Watercress Puree
and Fork Crushed New Crop Potatoes
with "Sauce Bordelaise"

Andante Dairy's "Blue Apron"
Compressed Summer Melons, Petit Basil,
Basil-Infused Olive Oil and Banyuls Reduction

Burgundy Plum Sorbet
"Confiture de Fenouil." Red Pluot Coulis
and Lemon Verbena Foam

"Tentation Au Chocolat, Noisette Et Lait"
Milk Chocolate "Cremeux" and Hazelnut "Streusel"
with Condensed Milk Sorbet, "Pain au Lait" Sauce
and Sweetened Salty Hazelnuts

"Mignardises"

Prix Fixe 250.00
Service included



Wow, how's that? $250 for a single meal. Now if you wanna toss in another $120.00 for the wine pairings, that's a cool $370 for a single dinner. 10 courses and all. I don't know, but I'm not too comfortable with the prospect of eating something I can't even pronounce. Hmm...

But even if $370.00 is way too pricey for you, I think I read in a magazine, the average entree and drink at Masa costs $466.00. And that's a sushi place, and how can raw fish cost that much?

Slipping

I figured I was an 'experiencer'. In a way, I collect experiences. Whether it is living precariously through the lives of others, or through stories, or through my own personal experiences. I collect experiences.

And a long time ago, I said I want to try everything at least once except cigarettes and drugs.

Wow... how things have changed? I'm currently halfway through my first pack of cigarettes already, and I'm pondering why the hell did I pick up smoking. I don't smoke that often, and it's more like I'm smoking just for the hell of it. I know I can stop, I did have an intermittent two weeks where I didn't smoke any cigarette, and I don't feel any urge to smoke, but I just do. It's not an addiction, but I'm sure my protestations are similarly echoed by addicts, so that's pointless.

But I find myself engaging in this kind of self-destructive behavior, in the past five days along, I've had at least two drinks each day, and gone to bed drunk. So yeah, maybe I'm turning into an alcoholic. That'll be interesting, right?

But back to smoking. One of the reasons I want to smoke is because I want to know what the deal is with smoking. So far, I sort of feel the harsh irritation as it goes up through my nose, and it sort of burns. And I can sort of understand how that might cause some form of cancer. But seriously. How dumb are we? Okay, so far I've come up with two reasons to stop smoking. One is namely, cancer, of all forms and sorts, and other health related problems. But those are grossly overstated because well, there's a lot of shock value in these blitz ads that highlight the dangers of smoking.

The other reason to stop smoking, I feel is more direct and I believe it is a better reason to stop smoking. Mainly, it's because your insurance health premiums will rise. Yes, the monetary cost of smoking hurts majorly there, and I think that would be the best reason not to smoke. And it's one of those things, because these insurance companies either think you smoke or not, and even if you smoke a single cigarette a month, you are a smoker.

But then again, without a doubt, no one ever expouses the reasons NOT to smoke. I've heard crap reasons like it builds character and it's cool and it's because everyone else does it. Okay, those are weak reasons, and I suppose on some level, desperate level, it is acceptable. But I've got a couple of reasons of my own. First of all, it makes your voice deeper and hoarser. And I think people pay more attention to you then. Secondly, it gives your fingers something to do. Strangely I miss that, other than just sticking my hands into my pocket. Thirdly, it's a great way to meet random strangers outside a pub. And lastly, it helps takes away the hunger pangs, and is probably a great dieting tool.

However, I must insist that I do not condone smoking. I just do it like the hypocrite everyone else is. Also I do not claim to be aware of all the risks of smoking, but based on what I know, and what everyone has already told me, I think I know sufficient to make my decision.

This is perhaps my first and last pack of smokes. After all, I don't really see the appeal of it.