“I don't know about you, Carmen, but I could use a drink.”
“I could use a double myself. But I'm hungry, too.”
“Okay, so where do you want to go?”
“I saw a little place I wanted to try. It’s called Dish and it's not too far from the condo. We can park there and walk.”
Marcus drove back to Carmen's condo and parked the car. He got out and went to open the door for Carmen. He extended his hand, which Carmen accepted with a smile. “Thank you, Marcus. You are such a gentleman.”
“Something my daddy always told me, was to always treat a lady like a lady. And treat a beautiful lady like a queen.”
As they walked, Carmen slid her hand into his. Carmen looked up at him and smiled. Marcus squeezed her hand and gently brought it to his lips and kissed it. They walked hand in hand to dinner at Dish, on the corner of North Highland Ave. and Drewry St., and were greeted by the maitre-d. She introduced herself as Laura and escorted them to their table, gave them each a menu.
“Your server will be Antuan and he will be with you shortly,” Laura said. “Enjoy your meal.”
Carmen and Marcus looked over the menu until Antuan joined them. He took their drink orders and asked if they were ready to order. Carmen told him that she would need another minute to decide what she wanted.
“That’s fine, I'll get your drinks and be back to take your order.
After each scanned the menu for a while, “This sounds good,” Carmen announced. “It's a crispy package of asparagus, sweet peppers, portabella, and fontina.”
“That does sound good.”
“You see anything you like?” she asked.
“I'm going to have the crispy duck roll with cashew tamarind sauce.”
“I was looking at that, too.”
“I'll give you some of mine, if you give me some of yours.”
“Deal. What about an appetizer?”
“I was torn between the steamed mussels and the crispy calamari salad, but I'm already having the crispy duck roll.”
“That's right, Black people eat too much fried food.”
“So steamed mussels with corn potato and chorizo, it is for me. And for the lady?” Marcus asked.
“I'd like to try the Arugula Salad, Grilled Scallops. And I'd like that with toasted hazelnuts, and grapefruit vinaigrette.'
“Excellent choice,” Antuan said as he returned to the table with a flourish. “Have we decided on a main dish?”
“Yes,” Carmen proclaimed. “I'll have the Grilled Swordfish with Saffron Aioli Potatoes and lemon sauce.”
“That is excellent, I had it last night. It is absolutely to die for. And for the gentleman?”
“I don't know,” Marcus said, glancing at Carmen, remembering how she reacted when he said something was, To die for. She seemed unfazed by it, continuing to study the menu. Marcus thought about all that Carmen had heard about Desireé in the past week. No surprise that she'd developed a thick skin.
“Would you like me to give you a few ticks to decide?” Antuan asked.
“Why don't you try the Panko Crusted Skate Wing?”
“No, Carmen, I'm just not feeling that tonight. I was feeling more like seared Maine Diver Scallops With Baby Bok Choy And Shrimp Vermicelli.”
“That sounds good, too.”
“I'll have that then.” Marcus said, picking up the wine list. “And bottle of Les Macherelles Chassagne.”