It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure of fine dining, and I realize now how spoiled I was to work in a high-end restaurant. Foie gras? Meh. Truffles? Well, sure. Valrhona chocolate everything? Sigh, if you must.
I know that it must seem like I live a semi-charmed life. Fine dining, art auctions, and what I’m about to tell you – that yesterday, I attended a luncheon that cost $150-$500 a ticket – must make it seem like I’m living it up. In reality, I’m one of the volunteers in the background who’s trading her time for food. Actually, aside from the food, I really enjoy people-watching. People-watching is always interesting, but people-watching the fabulous wealthy is such a treat.
So. Yesterday’s World AIDS Day luncheon at Cioppino’s was a lot of fun. I’ve never been to Cioppino’s, but it’s well-known in Vancouver for having the best spaghetti a la vongole (that’s spaghetti with clams in white wine) in the city, and is perpetually voted “Best Formal Italian” in Vancouver. Top it off with Pino Posteraro’s recent cookbook release, his winning the Gold Medal Plates in 2007, and his being voted Best Chef by Vancouver Magazine in 2008, and I hope you understand why I was so excited to attend this event.
