Food + Romance

Food and romance go hand in hand.

Not a surprise to you I'm sure, especially you New Yorkers who've made the dinner party an art form. We love to create a decadent, palate stimulating menu, invite all of our friends, tell them to bring their friends and set the mood with lighting and a play list that invokes thoughtful, genuine conversation (shout out to you, Carolina and Mirella). It's pure romance. And not necessarily romance of a carnal nature - yes, there is something very primal about giving the body sustenance and satiating physical cravings. But there's also poetry and intellect there. It's always interesting to see who sparks to who and what conversations and connections evolve.

Although not geographically, Argentina is a Mediterranean country (a potent mixture of both Spanish and Italian cultures might make it even more Mediterranean than its parent countries). And so it's only natural that Argentina wouldn't be Argentina without the dinner party, or the extended dinner. It starts at 10pm, at the earliest, and goes late. It's not uncommon to finish around 1am, the perfect time to retire with a lover or head out on the town until the early morn. Then you eat again. Romance, romance, romance.

Not surprisingly, this is one of the rituals I've been looking forward to the most. And so I got started last night with an impromptu dinner party at my place. There were just a handful of us and the menu was simple - roasted whole artichokes with queso fresco and toast points, vegetable and parmigiano lasagne, the requisite red wine (it's impossible to buy a bad bottle here), tea. Safe, delicious, a success. Just enough to break in my kitchen and get my imagination going. It's on now!

Next up, meat - we are in Argentina after all, Argentines - we were all expats last night, pictures - my camera is on its way, romance - enough said.