Musings of a Punk Rock Father

Tonight I went to White Fence Farm to pick up chicken for the family dinner. As I waited for a man to get into the car parked next to me, he looked up and quite angrily pronounced, "No one cooks anymore, just so you know."

He had a giant "Greece" knick-knack of some sort hanging from his rear-view mirror, so I thought maybe he was mad because his Greek wife refuses to cook for him like he thinks she should. I mean, I've seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," so I know that Greek women cook for their Greek men, right?

Then I though maybe he was upset at me. My generation, we don't cook. We eat out. We eat fast food. Except that we don't eat out all the time; at least my family doesn't. It would be pretty irrational if he were mada at me. But he did seem irate, although I couldn't tell with whom he was irate.

So what would make someone give this short proclamation to a stranger standing with a bag of chicken and various delectable side dishes?

My mother-in-law wanted to make a birthday dinner for me, and asked me what I wanted. I have a particular affinity for this taco salad that she makes. She usually makes some killer enchiladas with it, so that's what I requested. I was told that that was too easy to make, that I should pick something else. So I said, "How about Chateau Brion"? Lo and behold, we go to her and her boyfriend's house yesterday, and what are they making? Chateau Brion.

It was so very awesome.

Yesterday saw my 30th birthday come and go. I didn't really care too much about the milstone, until about a week ago. I started thinking more about how I will never again be able to say that I am in my 20s. How the hair I am losing will never come back.

But Melanie gave me a wonderful gift for my birthday: the full assurance that she loves me, even as I bald and age. She asked her mom to babysit overnight, so that we could stay out late like we used to do when childless. We dined at a fancy french resaurant, Mon Ami Gabi, in swank Oak Brook. We enjoyed the Oysters Du Jour, the best oysters I think I've ever had. A little cocktail sauce, a little horseradish, those babies were fantastic. My entree: Salmon, dijon crust, pommes puree, balsamic & chive oil. Mel's entree: Sea Scallops, whipped cauliflower, carmelized onion, raisins, pine nuts. They were both incredible. Then the server brought out a Profiteroles with a candle in it, and did not sing for me; "I did it all online," Melanie told me. "I requested no singing." She really knows me. We also ordered the Chocolate Mousse for good measure. Fully stuffed, we decided we would go see a movie.

We decided upon "Capote," because we were in the mood for an Oscar-award-winning performance. Minutes before the movie was to start, a large group of women could be heard in the hall, huge belly-laughs erupting from them. They entered our theater, which was very quiet due to the fact that we were about to watch a movie about a gay author writing about a horrific quadruple murder. They sprawled out around the theater, yelling to each other, announcing that they were "the loud section." Great. But I had a sense that they were in the wrong theatre. It must be my hyper-sensitive ability to read people. Then one of them stated talking about how we'd all be laughing, wouldn't be able to control it. Turns out, they were there to see that Tyler Perry Family Reunion movie, which was showing in the theater next to us.

The film was great, really tough to watch at times, but great. Hoffman was excellent as Capote. What a selfish man he was. I didn't know the stary of the writing of "In Cold Blood," and I was riveted. Great choice.

Melanie had also rented "Walk the Line," so we had an Oscar-nominee/winner evening. Phoenix really immersed himself into Johnny Cash. The music was fantastic, the acting was fantastic, and I'm a fan of director James Mangold.

The best part of the evening, though, was how Melanie shared her love with me: through some thoughts about our life and love that she wrote down and presented to me when we arrived home. It was really wonderful, and made a memorable birthday. So I am trying not to worry so much about what is behind me, but to treasure what I have.

Thanks, Mel.

Melanie and I love tapas. Our favorite tapas restaurant is Meson Sabika in Naperville, IL. We also enjoy Cafe Iberico and Twist, both in downtown Chicago. The latter has a great jalapeno gnocchi. Last night we had a chance to go to another fantastic tapas resaurant, Emilio's, in Wheaton.

Some of my favorite tapas that we enjoyed last night were the PINCHO DE SOLOMILLO A LA PIMIENTA, DÁTILES CON TOCINO, QUESO DE CABRA AL HORNO, and PATATAS CON ALIOLI.

We also had a few new items, like the LOMO DE CERDO AL AJILLO and VIERAS SALTEADAS SALSA AZAFRÁN.

It was a great meal. And using the gift certificate that we purchased from Restaurant.com, the evening was fairly affordable.

Saturday, for my mother-in-law's birthday, we went to Gibson's Steakhouse (the Rosemont location). Man, if you are a carnivore, this place is like heaven. I skipped on the $73 porterhouse, and Mel and I split the regular sized porterhouse, which was plenty big enough for the two of us. We ordered it with bleu cheese on top. Man, how tasty. Our appetizers consisted of home cured salmon, shrimp cocktail (enormous!) and Crabmeat Avacado, probably my favorite appetizer.

For dessert, I ordered an $11 piece of chocolate mousse pie. An $11 piece of pie! Five of us each took a piece, then the next night Melanie and I each had another piece. And there were still leftovers!