Dinner For 10 Strangers.

For the second year in a row, I was able to experience the awesome tradition of being a Bruin: Dinner For 12 Strangers. This year, the home was close by, but more amazing than the last. The host and hostess were great, the house was beautiful and the company was refreshing. It was nice to be able to sit down for a spectacular meal with strangers, and still have it not be awkward and, well, strange.



The food was just as if it came out of the Food Network (which some of the recipes did, as the hostess revealed later in the evening). There were table settings with Ucla decorations, white china, silverware and small party favors with Blue and Gold jellybeans. Nametags were placed strategically on each dish and, although kind of awkward at first, everyone began mingling with each other. Italian soda, crackers and cheese and bruschetta with pesto and tomato were passed around. All were delicious and hinted at the amazingness that the rest of the evening would bring.


Bubbletoes and I were in the same group last year. And this year. And maybe even next year. So, one stranger down. A guy didnt end up showing and so that knocked the stranger count to ten. Several people had visited Italy and had stories that trumped my own. Many were interested in design and media arts as well as public relations and entertainment. Our hostess actually works in architecture and her daughter in advertising. Although I didnt get any details after that.

The vegetable lasagna was delicious. Just the right amount of everything, the right consistency and.. wow. Just thinking about it makes me want to go back. I guess the "third" course(s) would be a mixed green salad, a roasted brussel sprout/tomato/onion warm salad and a chicken dish. I went for seconds for lasagna and salad. I was stuffed.

Then the surprise for the night had us all in a tizzy. She baked a raspberry New York Cheesecake AND a flourless chocolate cake with hints of mint and orange. I cant believe I had both pieces on top of the dishes I had. I'm sure last nights dinner equated into a days worth of food if measured in sizes of my normal food intake.



Last night was a perfect reminder that calories should not be wasted on bad food. Why eat it? What good does it do for my body? What will it do to my body? Yeah, I'm self-concious and all and blahblahblah.. but honestly. I would much rather indulge in my favorites like yogurt, granola, trail mix, fruit, turkey sandwiches and spinach chicken salads from home and, once in a while, go out for an amazing meal like dinner last night. Hands down thats what I would do instead of going out every night to pick up take-out. Thats just how I am.

If I stay in LA after graduation, I think I'd like to have 12 strangers over. I think it would take me a while to get a place, the dinnerware and all that, but everything comes in time.

Oh yeah. And the truffle covered walnuts at the end killed it. Such a sucker for good food. My palate continues to beg for more.. I just wish I had the salary to keep my hunger for tasty meals satisfied. Like I said, in due time.