Heirloom Tomatoes, Lillet Rouge & Cupid

Gorgeous, ripe tomatoes were in full force this past Thursday at the Brooklyn Borough Hall Greenmarket. Red. Orange. Bright Yellow. A veritable rainbow. The Heirlooms looked particularly magnificent. Ugly, yet beautiful. I couldn't resist.

I hoped they'd be a splendid starter for a Friday night dinner I was throwing for Mr. L and Mr. P, the fabulously fabulous gay couple down the hall. L is a publishing exec with a flawless sense of fashion and an eye for fine art. P is a well-heeled and well-regarded furniture designer. A perfectly matched duo, they share a very expensive hobby - or more like a very expensive obsession. Together, they travel the world over, in search of the globe's finest culinary experiences. From Buenos Aires to Tokyo, they've wined and dined. And, only the very best will do.

Now, they were coming to my apartment.

I was ready. I was armed with Heirlooms. I sliced five juicy specimens with care, topped them with soft Bufala Mozzarella, fresh Basil, Sea Salt and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Messrs. L and P swooned with delight.

Buenos Aires and Tokyo can eat their hearts out. My apartment is where it's at!

We made short work of the the brilliant Caprese, washing it down with L's refreshing riff on a 19th Century cocktail - Lillet Rouge, Maker's Mark Bourbon, lemon juice and fizzy Limonata soda. Delish!

Thyme-Garlic Roast Chicken with Bread Salad and Warm Berry-Pecan Crisp with homemade Sweet Corn Pudding Ice Cream followed. Every morsel was well-received.

Yay! I'd done good. Mr. L and Mr. P are tough critics, but I'd won them over.

Then, while sipping after-dinner Amaro, L and P won me over - with a proposition. They wanted to find me a man.

Yes, you read right.

This polished pair couldn't for the life of them understand why I hadn't been snapped up by Mr. Right.

What could I say? I've gone out with a number of men. And, I've had a lot of fun along the way. But still...I don't know why I haven't found Mr. Right (or Mr. Vamp as it were).

On the flipside, I'm really great at picking out Heirloom Tomatoes!

Apparently, L and P think they can lend a helping hand in finding my ideal match. A match made in heaven - much like Heirloom Tomatoes, Bufala Mozzarella, fresh Basil, Sea Salt and Extra-Virgin Oil. (Then again, a Caprese Salad is an orgy of ingredients. I'm looking for something a little more one-on-one. Maybe Peanut Butter and Chocolate would be a better analogy under the circumstances.)

So, we'll see what the neighbors whip up for yours truly. Goodness knows, they do have fantastic taste. And, considering L and P's own gourmet ways, I hope their "dish" comes equipped with a love for fine food and fine drink - in addition to a love for one very fine woman.

Comments

[LaDivina]

Oh my gosh! I can't believe I found your lovely little blog! I was looking for the perfect Lillet Rouge recipe, and here it is on your page! Can you please tell me the proportions of Lillet, bourbon and limonata? This is the cocktail of my dreams! Can't wait to try it.
and by the way, we're having heirloom tomatoes Caprese for dinner tonite as well. quel coincidence!
merci beaucoups.
LaDivina

[The Vamp]

Here you go...Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in 1 oz. bourbon, 2 1/2 oz. Lillet Rouge and fill to the top with limonata soda. Squeeze a wedge of lemon juice into the cocktail. Stir. Drink.