Half-hour five minute waits, the apéritif gone unsolicited, unheeded order-up’s, entrées arriving in the soup. The mobile phone, the mobile phone owner, karaoke, trivia night, open mike. Uncleared flatware, a cleared half-finger of Cutty. Stale bread, unexpected bananas. Medium medium rares, over medium over easys. The setting sun shining through the Levolor, an overzealous A/C, an uncomfortable stool. Small plates, California cuisine, cupcakes. Corked claret, burnt coffee. Last night’s last nightcap. The bill. &c.

And yet, despite all this, may your meal be overpriced and underwhelming, your plate cold, your glass soapy, your fish rotten, yes despite all this, all is not lost, there is hope for you and your rotten Tuesday night, your evening can be saved.

With a simple smile.

Dear waitress, waiter, host, hostess, proprietor, server, bartender, barista, line cook, sous-chef, busboy, Mom, wife, girlfriend, stranger — I love you.

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Since I write about food I thought, “Why not create a recipe for love?” I know, I know…how utterly cheesy. But, before you lose your breakfast or click ctrl + alt delete, bear with me. I got shot by Cupid’s arrow – that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

So here goes…

Recipe For Love

Mix together the following:

• A bunch of kindness and selflessness
• A whole lot of happiness, joy and hope
• Handfuls of honesty and integrity
• Equal amounts of loyalty, respect and devotion
• Mix in forgiveness and understanding
• Add a healthy amount of gratitude, humility and generosity
• Fold in handfuls of tenderness and adoration
• Season to taste with humor and laughter
• Add a pinch or two of silliness (I obviously add a great deal of this)

Combine above ingredients together and sift out judgment, grudges, bitterness and hate.
Feel free to add more of a particular ingredient. It will only add to the flavor.
Bake for a lifetime.
Be sure to taste the results first to savor your creation.
Share with your loved ones, then keep the leftovers on a pretty dish for the rest of the world to enjoy.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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