Last Wednesday I went out with the guy who I thought I slept with, but hadn’t. I thought we would try a little place called the Butcher Shop. Yes, the butcher Shop; not necessarily the best name for a restaurant, but still quite an experience. A salute to the European boucheries, this place is definitely one to write home about. It had gone up 20 ft from where I used to live 2 months before I left. I was quite disappointed but happy to finally experience this new neighborhood addition.

The name implies just that; a Butcher Shop, complete with gourmet hot dogs, fresh farm-stand eggs, and homemade chutneys. As you walk in the bar is to your right, to your left begins the counter tables. The counters are arranged in a very intimate and almost claustrophobic fashion; they serve as tables for parties of 2 to 6. There is no room for shyness, I bumped the woman next to me several times lightly in the elbow during dinner; par for the course in a joint like this.

At the end of the bar is a massive butcher block that doubles as a holding place for people waiting for tables and as the run off for thirsty locals at the bar. On the very back wall are two larger glass refrigerators holding the dairy, Foie and other tasty treats. The menu was creative and utterly mouth watering. We had 4 dishes, 2 vegetable and 2 meat. Luckily our waiter knew to course it out sparing us the task of finding more room; we could barely keep the B&B at the Pellegrino on the table.

First course was an Heirloom Tomato salad with mozzarella di bufala. I am just as sick of it too, believe me, but if you ever had Heirloom anything - especially tomatoes you would be on it like flies on shit. We ordered Kobe meatballs over bruschetta to enjoy with the tomatoes. For seconds we paired an order of root veggies with a Hangar Steak dressed with mushroom vinaigrette. The veggie arrived to us in parchment paper. I had heard of that technique but had never seen in front of me. It is now on my list of “must try’s.” The steak was superb, although too rare for my date.

I asked the waiter for a recommendation on the wine since they were all new to me. The Coturri Albarello struck my fancy for some reason. When I asked the waiter to describe it he wisely offered me a taste instead. I have a new favorite. It comes from an organic vineyard in southern Sonoma. Organic wines in my experience taste like mud or a compost pile. This was nothing of the sort. The blend is predominantly Zinfandel and Petite Syrah with a small percentage of young Burgundy and Carignane. It was absolutely perfect. The nose is rich and approachable. The Zinfandel gives the wine deep, well-pronounced fruit without being too jammy, the Petite Syrah lends great acidity and the tannins are so integrated that they are fleeting. The finish is something to be savored; lingering on the back palate so long that you don’t want to eat out of fear of spoiling the experience.

For dessert I noticed they carried not one but 3 Banyuls. I LLLUUUHHHUUUVV a Banyuls. It is a fortified Grenache from the Rhone Valley. Usually used as dessert wine, done right it serves as an anytime wine. While I was contemplating my choice in agony, I overlooked the small print stating that they offered all 3 as a flight. Sold. One was a Blanc that was smooth and powerful, like a well done Muscat. Out of the two remaining I opted for the one done the way I know Banyuls; raisin aromas subtle coffee tones with a feel of autumn in every sip. The other one was the runt; a tawny that drank loosely and faded away easily in the shadow of its counterparts. For the actual dessert plate we chose a pumpkin bread pudding, fall is in the air. I must say that was by far one of the most enjoyable well-executed dining experiences this guy has had in a while. Rita, if when you come back YOU HAVE TO TRY IT!!!

I went back to Ross’ for dinner with Shayna. I love seeing people that I went to high school with or even knew back then for that matter. I have changed remarkably, physically and emotionally. Most of the time, so have they, hopefully. It was an awesome time getting to know each other again and playing the “remember when” game over a nice bottle of Côtes du Rhône.

I gave my friends over at Ruff Ryders a dozen of those shirts I had in Chicago for IML (Remember those? All 180 of them? I do.) after I had them redone. I had a girl stitch a dozen according to size standard and gave them over on commission. Well what do you know - they sold all but 3! I took the remaining three, one for Shayna, one for a buddy and one for me to wear during Fashion Week. I was all too excited. Soon enough I will be getting the remaining 100 or so as well as the debut designs that are at the screen printers. I have only a couple so hopefully they will go fast. So all of you out there that have been kindly asking about the shits… they are comin’!

I had to return to the city for my workout session at 11 today. I contemplated canceling on my partner, but decided to tough it out and go. I also had a wine tasting at 3:30. The thought of that was enough to send me over the edge. The weather remained unchanged. It was not helping my hangover in the slightest. I had a bagel and a coffee in the hopes of feeling a little better to no avail; it did nothing but further irritate my stomach. Thank god I had my buddy to work out with, because left to my own devices I would have driven straight home to bed. Funny enough, that is exactly where I went as soon as we were finished to catch a nap before the tasting.

The tasting featured a pretty good Tokay Pinot Gris, a domestic Sauvignon Blanc and one of my personal faves: St. Joseph. After the St. Joseph my hangover was a thing of the past and I met a friend downtown for a bottle of Rioja and French Onion soup. I managed to remember to snap a couple of pics after Shayna and I had just learned that I sold my first dozen of “Team Hazzard Wear” T shirts.

A friend of mine from high school happened to be in Hyannis for work today so I gave away my shift to go down to P’town for the day. I drove down in very unseasonal weather; it was grey and had that subtle chill in the air one would expect to feel in November, not mid August. After seeing the environmental wake-up flick by Al Gore, “An Inconvenient Truth”, I realized that this was probably another sign of global warming, but I tried not to get angry about that.

I had lunch with my good buddy/ partner-in-crime David Flower. David is a DJ, Producer and party planner extraordinaire. We had beer and seafood at Ross’ Grill, my go-to place in P’town and probably where I will take my high school chum, Shayna, when she gets here tonight.

So we’re throwing a contest, huh? I just found out. I like the idea, although I am not sure if anybody really knows how to say in some sort of recordable media why they like being a fan? It will be interesting to see and I think that the “winner” will get a prize. I am really close to having the shirts up; perhaps they could have one of each of the designs?

Speaking of just recent developments, I am walking for Heatherette during Fashion Week 2006. I met Richie, one of the designers, when I worked the Boy George show last year. At that time they were a little more than an idea, but now have staked out a real place in the fashion world. I am thrilled to do this and it also adds one more contact to my list of design “ins”.

I’m almost out of time. I just needed to post something and I had wireless so I thought I’d get it in while I had the chance. I am getting really acquainted with my new camera, even though I enroll others to take the shots. Here is my pal David with me after 3 Chimays.