OTAS, you found it

Growing well into my 30 has, well, been an experience. This year I am 33. Truth be told, my birthday is not for a couple of weeks yet but I’m in Provincetown for it. So friends have celebrated it on the off-days, which is fine with me. To this end, Michael has been good enough to invite me to dinner tonight to celebrate (New Yorkers have things to do and birthdays are celebrated when time permits) my birthday.

He met me at Saks Fifth Avenue, where I work, after which we went to the Waldorf Astoria for a drink before making our way downtown to Butter, the hottest restaurant in SoHo. Michael knew the chef so we were treated to the tasting menu with a wine pairing. Over the duration of this 4-hour, 6-course meal we had culinary triumphs ranging from asparagus soup to foie gras. It was an inspiration. During the meal we joked, chatted, and talked about life as the wait staff catered to our every need while we got drunk. He then gave me a Callas photograph book, the book “The Libson Traviata,” from which Verdi’s “La Traviata" was derived along with a wonderful arrangement of flowers. I have to say it was wonderful.

Tonight was one of the most generous and thoughtful birthday celebrations.

My cup runnith over.