Holiday Dinner @ Globe‏

On December 10, to celebrate Christmas with my dear friend,
we partook in a most splendid dining experience on the Main
concluding that Christmas equals family we elected a familiar
place. Facing the giant floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out
onto St-Laurent Blvd, as I watch the white, fresh snowflakes
sprinkling the cars and passers-by, think how rapidly time
can pass you by.

Serendipity a word I truly enjoy saying, hearing and what
it signifies. On Friday night it signified culinary discoveries
and a return to what made Globe unique, the inventiveness
of the cuisine.

'The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new
landscapes but in having new eyes.' ~ Marcel Proust

We share a special connection, a bond, if you will, between
Globe and myself, along with my extended family. We have history.
My nieces have been celebrating their birthdays there since
turning eighteen, with each inviting their respective entourages.
Then there's my Godchild who was five years old when the
chef would prepare a special plate of pasta (which was not
on the menu). I remember she always adored him for it and showed
him with genuine hugs. He would take her their famous 'Tourte
au Chocolat', to enjoy at the bar, while I savored my cigar.
You see children, once upon a time . . . smoking, even a cigar,
was tolerated at bars and restaurants. The good old days!

There was no missing the long series of restaurants between
Sherbrooke and Pine Ave but all the action was at Globe. It
is the Hot Spot, especially on a Friday Night. It is the
destination 'de rigeur' that boasts eye candy and enticing
food. With their dazzling waitresses and up-to-the-minute
menus, Globe has always been considered 'hot' on all these
fronts. While some of its competitors have cuter waitresses
and better chairs, Globe always succeeded by offering the
full package. This past Friday evening I rediscovered an
old friend.

For a while the food wasn't up-to-par but it as returned
to its former glory, and rightful place above the fray of
restaurants and bistros all along the strip. The present
chef, Jean-François Baril has picked up that mantle and
brought back gusto to the kitchen. The plates produced from
that gallery were all topnotch.

Globe's cuisine exploits organic and local produce to its
fullest. This kitchen lets the quality of ingredients do the
talking. In that sense, let's begin with Les Snacks, a grouping
of marinated olives, Lupini beans and tiny slices of Sopressata
with chili audaciously packed a punch. The Hummus with chorizo
wafers was awesome. The appetizers, each separated in a bowl
with amazing flatbreads set on a butcher's wood slab, were cool
which best epitomizes what this restaurant is all about,
sophisticated simplicity.

The wine, selected by the proprietor, was a purple-red Sterling
Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, featured an exuberant nose, dry,
full-bodied elixir of the Gods with a delicious woody bouquet.
The white selection, a Vintner's Collection Chardonnay, was
rather delightful.

It was followed by a Mesclun salad with raspberries, candied
pecans, and small, stubby, finger-shaped Fingerling potatoes
made it a real treat. Delish! The second or third course depending
on your perspective, were these 'Gnudis'. Picture ravioli without
the meat, with tomato, garlic flower and pistachios. Heavenly!

The main courses consisted of a Glazed pork chop with potato
rosti on the side, apple and cauliflower, all of which, was
illegally buttery and tasty. A delight! The other main dish was
a Salmon resting on a sheet of potato purée covered with slight
shavings of garlic and a leek emulsion. Every morsel is melting
and fresh.
Finally the dessert, was an Apple 'Croustade' with sour cream
ice-cream, raisins and whiskey with a Maple whip. Sinful!

Gorgeous waitresses, models and actresses-in-waiting are
practically a hallmark at Globe, and our waitress, Melissa,
easily fits that description. With charm and professionalism
to spare, not to mention legs to Heaven and back. After the
witching hour, Globe metamorphosis into a club scene, which
was our cue.


* Restaurant Globe
3455 St.Laurent Blvd.
Montréal (514) 284-3823
www.restaurantglobe.com

* Reviewed December 10, 2010

'Enlightenment' Dinner Observations

Ladies & Gentlemen,
I shall pass through this world but once ... Any good therefore that
I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any other human being,
let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not
pass this way again.

Such beautiful words, which came to my cerebral as I gleaned up and
own that long train of tables and saw factions of groups of 3 - 4 that
had formed. People exchanging stories and gesturing to emphasize their
contentment.

Back in my youth, as a product of my environment I was always in
a perpetual search of carnal knowledge. As I prowled the private clubs,
the bars and other venues for sexual gratification I came across the
beautiful, vivacious, and sultry older woman. I truly enjoyed the
enlightened fruit, but what enticed me, or what dictated my conquests
more was the devilishly, delicious divorcée. There was a creature of
infinite beauty and allure. To be in the presence of such a woman
of experience, without the baggage of a husband, was very stimulating
to the senses. Point in fact, there were several such very sultry
'Femmes Fatale' at the dinner party.
From this moment forward there shall, if they so desire, be made
room for to all the dinner parties and soirées to come. They will
be added potpourri. But I digress!

I'm back to extol the virtues of our latest gastronomic regale
and recount my elucidations. Once again, the evening was a fabulous
chef-d'oeuvre! What begun slowly and with very little fanfare
culminated into a most enchanting soirée. The best one yet, according
to several habitués. We amassed quite a montage of bon-vivants.

As is the case with each gathering, the dynamics and especially
the landscape changes. Not any more apparent than this recent group
of foodies and lovers of all things delicious. This ensemble was
different and unique, as they always are, but this time, due to
the volume of varied newcomers, was so much more eclectic.

Louise Latreille who drove from North Hatley, but none the less
It shows a certain commitment to the festivities. All these ladies
were positively delicious. And my buddy The Banker, who as been on
a month long whirlwind tour of his European operations, came to
dinner directly from the airport. A true friend.
Bubbles and her hubby, who came later in the game, but participated
fully. I do not say it enough that is a one very, well-meshed couple.

'Under the bright sun, many of us are gathered together with
different languages, different styles of dress, even different faiths.
However, all of us are the same in being humans, and we all uniquely
have the thought of 'I', and we're all the same in wanting happiness
and in wanting to avoid suffering.' ~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama

'The first step toward change is acceptance. Once you accept yourself,
you open the door to change. That's all you have to do. Change is
not something you do, it is something you allow.'

I'm a big proponent of evolution, and this group has definitely
evolved. It's similar to an ever changing, living organism that
grows as it absorbs particles it gathers along its journey, like
Patsy Gallant, looking tres chic and yummy. There's a fresh particle.
The disco diva, who encompassed most of my childhood fantasies, was
dining at my table. Surreal!

'What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared
to what lies within us.' ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Bravo to the personnel, especially Audrey, who showed tremendous
stamina in a sea of privileged patrons, and in the face of our constant
barrage of requests. Kudos to Ross, chef extra-ordinaire who’s dishes
were absolutely sublime. The Sea Bass with a smidgen of squash concoct
was exquisite, moist and mouth watering. The filet mignon was cooked
to perfection, slightly bloody with a roasted outer layer. The Salmon
Tartare so sinful, I felt I needed to go to confession after dinner.
Inspiring! As is the case, repeatedly, Gianni's generosity is infinite.

'A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work
and done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise shall give
him no peace.' ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

'The world is divided into two classes; those who believe the incredible,
and those who do the improbable.' ~ Oscar Wilde

'To dream anything that you want to dream. That's the beauty of the
human mind. To do anything you want to do. That is the strength of the
human will. To trust yourself to test your limits, that is the courage
to succeed.'

I have been told, as was the case this time around, that such a group,
as we are, is a rare find, and should be preserved and nourished, to the
best of our ability. I try to be the enabler of such a noble task, and
at time, wonder if it's all for nothing, until these nights of ecstasy.
At one point I observed other patrons looking at our table and I sensed
certain invidiousness. We seem to have created a sort of regular troupe
or repeaters, of movers and shakers.

Finally, congratulations are in order to the ladies for showing they
are ladies. A special mention to the Matchmaker, who looked like she
stepped off of 'Sex in the City'. Everywhere I looked I observed
delectable limbs and slender stems that went to Heaven and back.
I relish in and appreciate the infinite beauty and exquisite curvature
of the female form. Show it, flaunt it, admire it and allow it to blossom.
For that I salute you all.

'Camminando le donne può tutto mostrare...Ma niente non lasciare vedere!
(Sensual women can show everything, without revealing anything!).'
~ Marcello Mastroianni

I believe in a long, prolonged derangement of the senses to attain
the unknown. Our pale reasoning hides the infinite from us. The body
is the soul's prison unless the five senses are fully developed and
open. I consider the senses as the windows of the soul. I think the
highest and lowest points are the important ones. Anything else is
just in between. I want the freedom to try everything, and to truly
release my soul.

Someone once said, "Life's euphoria is made up of little moments,
you steal away from the mundane." This was such a moment.

Life comes with no guarantees, no time outs, no second chances, you
just have to live life to the fullest!

Love,
xoxox

* Observed May 28, 2010