L A FARM RESTAURANT

It was October 2nd.  I was a little nervous going to an upscale restaurant by myself, but it was a Monday night and not too busy.  I purchased 500 miles of my United frequent flyer miles for a $25.00 meal gift certificate in order for it not to expire.  It seemed like a good solution for a time sensitive issue.  I dressed in a skirt and arrived promptly to valet.  As soon as Christian took my car I felt relieved not having to park it and then find the restaurant.
 
I was welcomed warmly at the door with Lauren and Dominico, my waiter.  He stated that he is an expert chef himself, making several dishes at home.  At first notice when I entered I saw the cool slate floor, against the warm wood wall. I commented on it's beauty and Lauren proudly stated that it was recently installed.  The wall color lacked warmth or connection to the rest of the decor but Lauren said that it was also soon to change. 
When Lauren took me to my table facing an open wall with windows to the hallway there was another patron sitting by himself.  After chatting about Lauren's recommendations, he stated that his name was Ricardo, and that he was from Central America, Panama specifically.  I said that I just saw the beautiful beaches of Panama on the HGTV station and that it looks lovely.

After reviewing the menu I ordered something different than I anticipated.  I had previously read about the oysters, and the halibut, but they weren't recommended.  I didn't even see the halibut on the menu. 
What was recommended was the lamb with polenta and the steak frittes, which I was going to order up.  Since the gift certificate minimum was $35.00, I could therefore splurge on appetizers.  I thought about what would would compliment the steak.  The menu had other dishes that were all particular flavors, not blending well with my combination.  I thought that the truffle pea arancali could be delightful, anything with truffles is good, right?  Two fried balls nicely browned came to my table.  A creamy delight, perfectly browned, creamy inside, with the right amount of peas, to taste them.  A good way to begin.

 I was left with ordering the brussels sprouts instead on the previously planned asparagus.  They came with pine nuts, which I didn't like at all.  It seemed too heavy and not seasoned or cooked well enough to enjoy.  Dominico graciously brought it back, removing the pine nuts and adding balsamic vinegar, which was an improvement, still no raves. 

My new friend across the way, Ricardo Alfonso, noticed the breeze of Creedence Clearwater Revival streaming through the speakers.  They sang of the Bayou, when I mentioned that I had a friend that I recently lost, that was from there.  This seemed to strum up a conversation.  I spoke of Woody and his birthday past.  I felt his energy when I first walked into the room.  He said that he used to go to Agape across the street, before it moved to Culver City, and has been enjoying this restaurant ever since. 
He had beautiful grey dreadlocks, said he was a physician and that I did not agree with giving people a specific date of death.  I agreed saying that it makes humans playing God.  He had present eyes, there was a kindness shining through his them  While we exchange telephone numbers he said that maybe we could come here again.  He shook my hand firmly.  Ricardo told me that he maybe we could come here again together.

I love the large knife.  Six pieces of steak sliced with great melting garlic butter blotted onto the cut slices of meat, the liquid reducing.   Yum!  A splash of watercress sat on the top.  I really enjoyed the watecress flavor, it offset the richness of the meat reduction.  Laura glanced over my way, with her dimpled cheeks, and warm smile.  She came over to see what I ending up ordering.  She liked the scallops, the carpacio, and I forget what else, sorry.  That's what happens when you don't write the blog right away, after the experience.

I begin to melt into this experience.  Of course now a fly landed on my rack of bread.  Flies always seem to find me.  As it became dark I could barely see to finish my meal.  A fire pit was lit next to me, surrounded by a leather open sofa.  It was warm and inviting.  A young boy came up and glared at the flame of the light for quite a while.

I was finished and ready to go when Dominico said that he wanted to bring me a lollipop for dessert.  It's stick was carefully placed a lucite square, firmly holding a red wine with chocolate stripe.  I enjoyed this immensely.  When I returned to my car Christian and I spoke of some of the traditions of his country.  The moon was half full and the sky clear.