He pulled out the chair for her and Laura sat down. Her entire body was tingling with excitement. It had already been the best night of her whole life, and they hadn't even eaten yet.
Ethan walked around and took a seat on the chair across from her. “I hope you like what's on the menu.”
“Menu?” Laura asked. “You mean, you actually did turn this place into a restaurant?”
Ethan nodded, and at that same time, a new man wearing a black tuxedo stepped out onto the deck. He carried himself with prestige as he walked toward them and placed a menu in front of each of them.
“Good evening,” he said, with a light British accent.”What can I bring you to drink, Ms. Corbett?”
She tried to think of something fancy, but she was used to beer and cheap vodka. Neither one of those seemed appropriate for a fancy dinner. “Do you have Cabernet?”
“Of course,” he said. “We have several kinds, but there's one, in particular, that's quite good. It's a private stock, made from a small family in Sicily.”
“I'll take that one,” Laura said, with a smile.
“And you sir?” The waiter turned to face Ethan.
“I'd like an Irish Whiskey, please,” Ethan said.
“Very well,” the waiter said. “I'll be back with your drinks and to take your order in just a moment.”
He turned and then di
sappeared into the house.
“Ethan, this is crazy,” Laura said with excitement. “This is the best surprise of all time.”
“By the way, he's not just our waiter. He's also my personal chef,” he said. “You may not know this about me, but I'm not the best cook in the world. If it weren't for Daryl, I'd probably starve. That guy makes me all of my meals and is by far the best cook I've ever known.”
Laura glanced down at the menu. The top of the paper read, “Ethan and Laura's Second Date Menu.”
“How cute is that?” she said. “I might have to keep this as a souvenir.”
“By all means,” Ethan said. “Any of the food sound good to you?”
She glanced down the list. There were three options laid out for each course.
1st course
Ahi Tuna Tartare, Hamachi Sashimi
Royal Ossetra Caviar
Ahi Tuna, Maine Lobster, & Mussel “Paella” 24 Baked Saffron Risotto, English Peas
Main course
Boulder Natural Chicken “Wellington” 42 Brioche Baked Breast, Braised Chicken & Mushroom Duxelle, Foie Gras Mousse, Sunchoke Puree, Pinot Noir Reduction
Colorado Lamb Rack, Loin & Braised Shank 68 White Truffle Infused Heirloom Polenta, Ratatouille Vegetables, Goat Cheese, Lamb Jus
Ruby Red Trout, Diver Caught Scallops 38 French Green Lentils, King Trumpet Mushrooms, Berkshire Bacon, Caper Brown Butter Emulsion
Dessert
Sticky Toffee Pudding Bourbon Toffee Sauce, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream With Badia a Coltibuono, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico
Triple Chocolate Terrine Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake, Milk Chocolate Marquise, White Chocolate Mousse, Raspberry Sauce