Op-Ed
A Splendid Noche
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Don't Miss Out
March 8, 2007 - 12:23amSome people don’t like to mix business with pleasure, but I’ve never been one of those people. Therefore, I went on a date with my Cornell Daily Sun editor last Saturday night.
This strapping, Spanish-speaking Associate Editor (who shall remain nameless) has recently ended his term as such. Now he is just a regular Joe, but last week he was still technically my boss — which, I’ll admit, made our date all the more thrilling. For months I’ve watched this guy critique my writing, slash my grammatically-incorrect prose with red ink and crush my last ounce of dignity. But then, at the brink of his retirement, he offered me the chance to strike back by critiquing him. It was just too good; I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
The problem with dating your boss is that it blurs some carefully-drawn lines. On Saturday night, for example, was my escort playing the role of The Editor (TE) or The Mexican Gentleman (TMG)? I couldn’t decide what to dub him, both in my mind and in my column.
When he edits my articles on Wednesdays at The Sun, he is without a doubt The Editor. However, on Saturday evening we cast our professional relationship aside and enjoyed each other’s company as simply — don’t cringe — amigos. Dressed to the nines in a suit when he showed up at my door, The Editor was undeniably and unfailingly replaced by The Mexican Gentleman. So, TMG he will be for the purposes of today’s critique.
When I suggested that we go to Willow, a quaint little eatery tucked away on East Falls Street, TMG was reluctant. “I’ve never heard of it,” he said, thinking more along the lines of a juicy steak at John Thomas. Nevertheless, he insisted on taking me to the crème-de-la-crème of Ithaca dining, wherever I decided that may be. I was confident in the buzz I’d heard about Willow and eager to try it, so Willow it was.
We pulled into the hidden parking lot next to Fall Creek movie theater. As soon as we parked, TMG hopped out and ran around the car to open my door before I could. He extended his elbow to assist me. “May I?”
Whoa. I was flabbergasted. Was this still a cultural norm in Mexico, or was TMG trying to score some brownie points for his exposé in The Sun? Perhaps he actually is a legitimate gentleman? I couldn’t tell, so I blushed and took his arm. “Thanks.”
Once we were seated, TMG maintained the same level of chivalry as he had in the parking lot and pulled out my chair. I couldn’t help but release a girlish giggle before sitting down. He didn’t understand what was so funny.
Maybe I was being immature, but I’d never received such sophisticated treatment from any man other than my grandpa. When I explained this to TMG, he didn’t seem surprised. “All American girls are like you. They sneer at me for holding the door for them at Libe Café. Maybe it’s just a Mexican thing.”
I wondered if our culture clash would make for a good column title: Cynical New Yorker Encounters Genuine, Chivalrous Foreigner; Confusion Ensues.
Once we shared a mutual laugh about American feminists, we both relaxed a little bit. Pleasure quickly overshadowed all remnants of business, and before I knew it, TMG and I were just two people out to dinner.
Given TMG’s grandiose approach to dating, Willow was the perfect restaurant choice. It has a graceful ambiance and a rotating seasonal menu of sophisticated American cuisine. We started with a bottle of Pinot Gris (á la Professor Mutkoski’s Wines course, which we’re both currently taking) and a delectable cheese plate appetizer to compliment the wine ($14). We also shared an exotic bruschetta sampler topped with tomato, roasted red pepper, portabella and olive tapenade ($10).
Each of the entrees, though rather pricey, was truly mouth-watering. I chose a special pasta dish with grilled shrimp and calamari in a tomato, spinach and garlic broth ($18), and TMG indulged in a grilled hangar steak served with Israeli couscous ($20). The most memorable part of our entire meal was the little taste of heaven that we ordered for dessert: the “Sixth Avenue” chocolate cake, coffee butter cream, hazelnut meringue, chocolate mousse, crème brulée and chocolate ganache ($8). Forget the crème-de-la-crème of Ithaca; this might have been the best meal I’ve had all year, anywhere.
Though fine cuisine comes at a high price at Willow, they’re willing to strike us college kids a deal. Tuesdays through Saturdays from 5 to 6 pm, the restaurant has a “Dinner and a Movie” special — a three course meal at Willow plus a movie ticket to Fall Creek Theater for a total of $25.
TMG’s company turned out to be nearly as excellent as the food. Conversation led to tangents about his life in Mexico, my semester in Spain and confessions of drunken mishaps at Rulloff’s karaoke. We even conversed in Spanish for awhile and he poked fun at my awful grammar. I rebutted with a Mexican joke, at which point he got down on one knee and proposed. “I need a green card to stay in America,” he said. “Whadda ya say?”
Ultimately, I’d have to give TMG’s dating skills the same review that he often gives my columns: Great ideas and excellent execution, but occasionally he tried too hard to make the date turn out just right. The best sentences — according to The Editor — are the ones that flow naturally, seem uncalculated and sometimes make a point that the writer didn’t initially intend. I’m returning that advice to TMG when I say: So are the best dates.
Missy Kurzweil is a senior in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She can be contacted at mek37@cornell.edu. Don’t Miss Out appears alternate Thursdays.