Intimate dinner

We had a couple of friends over for a terribly informal dinner last night. As the dining room is still not done we put a table in the grey salon. It actually worked very well. I think in future if we’re hosting a small group, that’s the way to go. Once the candles and fire were lit everything looked quite nice.

The menu was ultra-simple. We started with what in Argentina they call provoleta. Grilled provolone with diced tomatoes and oregano. The main course was low-temp roast beef which had been marinated in red wine and tarragon, and dessert was a raspberry tart. Then chocolate truffles with coffee. I know it sounds incredibly lazy of me, but I just don’t know people well enough to thrust unusual food at them yet. I’m still not sure about how locals might react to tuna tataki or ajoblanco. Most of the restaurants around here are still serving dishes that were popular circa 1974. Everything seems to come with double cream or bacon- or both.

Anyway, it went well. I tend to judge success on how long people choose to stay, and they left after 3am. That means they probably enjoyed themselves.

Now we have no social encounters for three weeks. Work on the apartments begins on the 2nd of October. I’ve planned most of it in my head, but now I have to put it all on paper in the next few days so workers can understand what I want.

In essence I’m putting aside financial advice and considerations. I don’t want to create budget apartments. I want to create homes people actually want to be in. I’ve always gotten a kick out of that. A glamorous atmosphere, good colours, pleasant textures- they elevate the human animal. Care, effort and the resulting beauty make people feel better. It certainly works for me.