I spend most Sunday nights trekking along my return to the city from a weekend spent in Mattapoisett. This journey affords much time to ponder. While navigating along the dimly lit roadways leading out of Poi, I recap the weekend, wonder what those I’m leaving behind are up to and plan what needs to be settled into place for the new week ahead.
A few miles out of Boston, city lights brighten the commute. Urban dwellers quicken the driving pace. The tranquility I sense while near the ocean in Poi keeps mum as my city senses rouse, shushing it to keep under wraps until next weekend.
Someday, Nils and I will move to Poi. If all goes according to our mental sketches, we’ll raise a home and a kid or two in the same community where he grew up. Our children will be salty dogs just like their dad. I’ll have a nook in our house in which to write about food and this town. This town that was just a friend’s whisper to me years ago, who’s mere mention these days tickles my soul with comforts of home. Well, almost home.
Let me admit to you now that the idea of moving out of the city both relieves and petrifies me. Although a country bumpkin in youth, I’ve lived in this city longer now than I did in my childhood town. It has thickened my skin, quickened my pace, and showered me with gifts of intellectual maturation and discovery. It’s been quite a joy. Now, however, I feel we’ve reached the point in our relationship where it’s time for me to move on. I’ve gathered all I may from these streets. Inspiration lies elsewhere. This good little chick is being nudged out of the nest.
Not just yet though. For the moment, I’m lingering—taking my time with this farewell.
Luckily, I’m able the make the leisurely divide. The anticipation of the move, however, has me feeling the parting already. As such, I make the most of what’s at hand while it’s still reachable. I walk to nearby cafes, bookstores, bars and restaurants.
When in Poi, I scout out my creature comforts for a sense of security. A dandy neighborhood bookstore. Two humming cafés. A snug watering hole. An Aveda hair salon (still seeking the right fit). New and used clothing boutiques. Quality foods shops. It’s slowly coming together. With each find, I settle in a bit more and loosen my grip on the urban handhold.
What will also make this transition smooth are friends I’ve made over the last few years, many of whom I’ve written about already in this space. I smile each time I am asked ”When are you coming home?” Although I think of the city as my home, Poi will be someday, and these friends recognize it as so, for me, already. They’ve welcomed me into a circle of friends, well-established, without fault for not having been there the whole time.
Recently, a dinner sealed the deal for me. Mosey and Rich scheduled us for a dinner with her sister and husband. And, this was to be no ordinary dinner. Her sis’s man is dubbed a culinary wizard. He’s a Chef who opts to share his passion through dinners with friends and family rather than sweating it out behind the line. After many flips of calendar pages, we finally arrived at a date suitable for all. Our instructions? Tout six bottles of wine. Arrive by 6:00 PM. After shopping at two shops in the city for organic selections, I zoomed my way to Poi, filling the car with This American Life and a corpulent hunger riding shotgun.
The four of us rolled in on time and were rewarded with a smorgasbord of appetizers.
Plump olives. Tough salami. Cheeses creamy, sharp and delightfully stinky.
The evening’s menu booked appearances by 5-spice short ribs, pan-seared duck breast and scallops, haricots verts, sautéed carrot ribbons, and potatoes au gratin. I’d be a cruel food blogger to simply tell you about the meal. Allow me to share the visual feast.
The plan…
The plating begins with the potatoes au gratin.
The succulent 5-spice short ribs that even Rich, the vegetarian of the group, admired from afar.
Next, the vegetables sidled up to the meat and potatoes.
And, ohhh, the crisp and greasy duck breasts.
Rich’s scallop plate.
The final touches.
As plates shuffled into the dining room, all were encouraged to eat immediately.
A patient pose before the first bites.
We nibbled every morsel. Drank every drop. Made way for dessert…
both on the table and in our persons.
If relocating to Poi guarantees a glorious meal such as this, every so often, where is the change of address form?
Thank you all for an occasion to savor myriad flavors. The impressive food sated my belly. The company warmed my heart. Thank you also to Rich for graciously lending me his Nikon and (now coveted) fisheye lens. I’m looking forward to our next gathering.
Wine notes will follow, later this week.
This note is way too late for Lynette and I to say thank you and Nils for coming. We had a blast and are looking forward to many meals to come.
Now that is a party! I too have been traveling but nobody cooked like that for me (and it was my birthday too!) GREG
Poi sounds like such a wonderful town! And what a fabulous feast! Awesome dinner party!
Great food and new friends make a great combo. Everyone’s contribution made the evening even more special. We all made it memorable. Thank you!
What a table!!!
Art & Lynette,
Thank you again for an amazing experience. You two host quite an occasion. I’m saving a special spot of appetite for the next round!
Greg,
Happy belated birthday, my dear! Make your way to the opposite coast and we’ll make up for it. ;)
Natasha,
I’m growing very fond of Poi. I’m sure you can tell from my numerous posts about the food and friends I’m making. This dinner was one of the best ever—including any restaurant I’ve ever been to.
Rebekka,
It was a very full table, indeed!
I love your blog — great writing combined with beautiful photography. So lovely. The scalloped potatoes look amazing — what did he put on top? It looked like lox, but surely no…?
Madame Fromage,
Thank you for your gracious comments. Art, the chef, added a slight garnish of thin carrot ribbons. Now that you mention it, they do appear very lox-like. The potatoes were scrumptious swimming in their creamy, piquant cheese sauce. Simply dreamy.
[...] the following tasting notes while trying not to appear too nerdy among friends at the recent wine dinner. And, you know what? They’re pretty good picks to pair with Thanksgiving eats too. We tasted [...]
Oh wow, I don’t know where to start, everything looks amazing! I always love your wine recommendations too!
I think we’ll move out of the city eventually as well. My hubby really wants a nice piece of land and some quiet. I’m more of a city girl, but I can see where he’s coming from.