The First Time Was The Last Time

I admit, today's post may sound a bit nutty, so prepare yourself, Dear Reader.

​Have you ever had a dining experience, so perfect, you never want to have it again for fear the second experience will not live up to the first experience; thus, taint the memory forever? (I warned you the post may sound odd.) You know what I mean don't you? The table was perfect. The ambience was sublime. The wine and food were transcendently scrumptious. The conversation was engaging. You and your date looked fantastic. You get picture...

​I always say, one of my favorite things about food and cooking is that it connects us and transports us.

​I have been fortunate enough to have had many memorable dining experiences. One that stands out from all the others was the dinner my husband Russell and I shared on our wedding night. That night was pure, magical bliss! We stayed at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose California. We arrived, directly from our wedding reception. Russ was wearing a tuxedo and I was wearing my wedding dress and veil. We were glowing with love and joy. We placed our bags in the room and went to dinner in our wedding cloths. (Why brides change from their wedding dress, into a 'going away outfit' is beyond me. Unless they are Elizabeth Taylor, in the whole of their life, they will never get married again or wear that dress again, so why change?)

​Anyway, the restaurant was called Les Saisson and we were the center of attention! We sat at the best table in the restaurant! Champagne arrived followed by nibbles, wine and mint sorbet to clear the palate, before the main course arrived. Everything was incredible? We were young and poor and had not had many fine dining experiences together. We were elated about being married and very much in love. That night, that meal, was one of the happiest experiences of our lives. It was perfection. It was the first time and the last time we ate at that restaurant (which has since closed) but the experience of that night is among the best of our lives. It sounds strange, but we decided that night, never to return to the restaurant. No other experience could compare to that night.

​Please share your 'once was enough,' truly memorable dining experience in the comments section. We can all get a little connected that way.