It's cold in Durham

Yesterday was my Mom's birthday. She died 11 years ago, but we usually celebrate her birthday as we would have when she was alive, by going out to a nice restaurant. I think we missed one year of the pandemic, but this year I really wanted to go. Amelia had a 7:00 appointment, so we needed an early reservation. We didn't want to eat inside, either. The restaurant had to be open on Mondays, which a lot aren't, especially now with staff shortages still an issue. We settled on Bleu Olive, a Mediterranean restaurant in a shopping center. The outdoor tables were on the sidewalk next to the parking lot, so not a super elegant setting, but they were under a roof in case of rain. I think the sidewalk retained some warmth from the sun earlier in the day. 

The sun sets a little later in Durham, but it was still mostly dark by the time we sat down. The host looked at me a little strangely when I said we wanted to eat outside. I think it was in the 40s and I was wearing my big winter coat with the fake fur-trimmed hood, and fingerless mitts. Even Ray had put on an extra layer. I was worried that we would not be able to enjoy the food and the occasion because it was so cold, but that wasn't the case. 

The men scanned the code on the table and pulled up the menu on their phones. We ordered cocktails--I had an old fashioned that was delicious. I had asked for a hot toddy or a hot buttered rum, but they weren't available. Then I suggested a hot chocolate with a little something added, but they didn't have that either--the waiter said they had varieties of Irish coffee, but that is not my thing. Kevin ordered Bordeaux, but they were out, so he settled for Shiraz, which was tasty. Ray had a pomegranate mule, which he enjoyed. I tried it, but thought it was yucky.  

Ray suggested a variety of spreads and breads--pita, of course, and a dried bread like a giant crouton, as well as a soft warm bread. Baba ganoush (eggplant), humus, tzatziki, and something else, maybe red pepper--they were all delicious. Ray also had a giant Greek salad and shared some with us. It had beets in it, oddly enough. I don't think they're Greek, but I like them a lot, and no one else does. 

I had local flounder with veggies--spinach, red pepper and others--on orzo. It was excellent. I saved a little for today, since I was getting full. Amelia had polenta, which she liked. Kevin had moussaka--there's a success story if there ever was one. He and Amelia became a couple in high school, and he did not eat much. No veggies or fruit, only the plainest simplest "American" food, like hamburgers or fried chicken. Now he is ordering something like moussaka, without even knowing if he'll like it! I've forgotten what Ray had, but I think it was on orzo, similar to mine, probably chicken? Anyway, Kevin got a box for some of his, but Amelia and Ray cleaned their plates. 

The highlight of the meal was meant to be dessert--Mom's favorite, although she enjoyed seafood too. We had an excellent creme brulee, and we are creme brulee connaisseurs (I can't seem to spell that right, a rare problem for me). I didn't really like the orange chocolate cake. It seemed dry, but maybe on purpose. The cheesecake was very good, too, almost like a mousse, with pistachio crust. Kevin had some grand marnier and Ray a decaf coffee, but we did not linger and were ready to leave by 6:30. A very successful Mom's Day feast. I am repeatedly surprised by how many great restaurants there are here. We will have to try more of them, if the weather gets warmer. 

It is below freezing here this morning and the heat is running steadily, but not uncomfortable inside--I do wish I had grabbed some socks before I snuck out of the bedroom about 5:15. I was in bed early and slept well. Ray has "extravagantly" purchased some streaming services, including Paramount, so now we can go back to watching all the Star Treks. We were working on that until they went off Netflix and we would have had to pay for them.