Bookmatched Beauty
This story has since been updated here and here.
In August a dear friend was returning from weeks in Japan, stopping in Austin before returning home to New Hampshire. She alerted me and, never needing much of an excuse to bomb down to Austin, off I went for a dinner date. She’d asked me what’s the hotsy-totsy dining place in Austin these days. Ironically, I responded that it was Uchi – a Japanese inspired venue. Having been in Japan for weeks, her response was, “F that, let’s get some BBQ.” So no Uchi for me … until last night.
Aria Stone Gallery in the Design District had a fab event catered by Uchi. And before we get to the stone, I have to admit that the meal from Uchi gave my tongue a flat tire. Everything I’ve put in my mouth since then (huuush!) has tasted like dorm food.
The media event featured an intimate table-full of fellow writers and designers. Aria went to a lot of trouble and expense for this seated, multi-course dinner and yet a couple of guests were no-shows. That’s just tacky and rude. If it were my house, you’d not get invited back. It doesn’t take much to tap “reply” or to text the host/hostess of an event. For shame.
What these uncivilized no-shows missed was an 8-course tasting menu that caused “Oooooo” as each course was explained, followed by “Ahhhhh” as each was tasted. You know how these things typically go. A tattered Romaine leaf and a blade of rosemary and suddenly it’s Tuscany. Not this time.
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