Julia clapped her hands like an excited little girl in anticipation of the feast that would find its way to our table. I looked at this exciting woman and wondered about all the other men who have looked across the table at her before me. How beautiful she is, not just on the outside, but how she lets everyone see her heart, her soul, her joy, and her delight. I was completely infatuated with her and falling deeper with each passing day.

The meal started with pan roasted artichoke with lemon tarragon aioli and grilled lemon. Giacomo paired this dish with a Paul Jaboulet Ainé Blanc which enhanced the deep rich flavors of the lemon and tarragon.

This dish was followed by a grilled sea bass, mango, grapefruit and avocado salad. The sea bass was cooked to perfection, moist, tender, incredible. He paired the salad with an American chardonnay which brought out the sweetness of the mango and the tartness of the grapefruit.

The meal was really turning into something beyond my expectations when Giacomo brought out the third course; Rack of Lamb with dried cherry and green peppercorn sauce served with garlic mashed potatoes, baby carrots, mushrooms and watercress. With the main course Giacomo opened a bottle of Beringer Merlot Bancroft, with rich deep flavors of plum, cinnamon, clove and a beautiful complexity that played on all parts of the palate. I was in heaven and there were lots of delicious sounding mmmmmms coming from Julia. She was smacking her lips and closing her eyes as if she were in ecstasy.

There were no words to really describe this extraordinary meal and I started to feel very guilty about the little bitty lie we had told. Julia seemed unconcerned about it as she shot sexy looks at Giacomo each time he approached the table.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out that there had been some sexy history between the two of them, maybe even some ongoing history as well. I wanted to be envious but between the delicious food, incredible wine and Julia’s beauty I did not want to ruin even a moment of this time with a single bad thought.

Julia excused herself from the table and headed for the ladies room. I was feeling a bit light headed from the wine and very satisfied from the food and I just wanted to sit back and enjoy the warm atmosphere of Giacomo’s restaurant. The interior was very inviting and comfortable, the type of place which made you want to stay and dine for hours.

The characteristics of the place were all qualities Giacomo seemed to possess, too. In the short time I had talked to him I saw a man who was deep and thoughtful, warm and friendly, sensuous and had very good taste. The fact that he knew Julia told me all those things.

I guess the wine had gone to Julia’s head as well, she was gone for a long time and returned to the table with a giggle. I asked her if she was enjoying herself and she replied, “Absolutely, I am having a wonderful time, thank you Michael.”

Thank you Michael, was she kidding? I needed to thank her, not the other way around. I was not use to having a woman say thank you to me, let alone for something I was not even accidentally responsible for. I was touched by this gratitude and also a little bit guilty about it as well. I only hoped I would recover from all this guilt before the weekend was over.

The waiter came to the table to clear away the dishes and glasses and then Giacomo showed up with a bottle of nineteen seventy seven Croft Vintage Port and three glasses. I was so impressed with his selection and my mouth watered as I watched him uncork the bottle and set it on the table to breathe. He carefully placed a glass in front of me and Julia and left the third glass where he had originally set them down.

The waiter then appeared behind him with a tray of California strawberries and dark chocolate dipping sauce. The tray was placed in the middle of the table and the aroma or the fresh berries burst into the air. Julia giggled and licked her lips, Giacomo looked pleased, and I had entered another plateau of pure unadulterated bliss.

Giacomo poured the port into three glasses and then joined us at the table. He had a softer look on his face and his mannerisms were quite calm. I suppose the tensions of serving a perfect meal had passed and he was more relaxed and ready to hear my critique. I was not able to give this critique right away; I was enjoying the final flavors of the feast he had served us.

The strawberries were juicy and flavorful as I had expected, and the quality of the chocolate was superb. These flavors danced in my mouth and were joined by the intensely magnificent port. I almost burst into song as joy filled my entire being. Giacomo must have sensed my delight and longing to express my enthusiasm; right then and there, he got up and started to sing opera; it was just amazing. Julia laughed with a childish joy as her hands cupped her heart shaped face and her eyes sparkled with sheer glee at the sight of Giacomo belting out an Italian aria.

I think that night will be in my memory as long as I live. I can still conjure up the tastes, smells, sights of that meal and I hope I never lose the warm feelings that were overflowing inside of me for both Julia and Giacomo that night.

The best gift I received in Giacomo’s restaurant was not the beautiful food, the delicious wine, or the warm inviting atmosphere; it was the feeling of true friendship, and I was a changed man forever.