WHAT WOULD I EAT ON MY BIRTHDAY IF I COULD GO ANYWHERE AND EAT ANYTHING?

I was thinking about this yesterday while on my walk. What would be my ideal day of eating?

Restrictions I place on this concept are that the list has to be compiled from my actual dining experiences and also, cannot involve a restaurant that no longer exists. This means, the food trucks of LA are out for lunch and I cannot include either of my 2 favorite LaJolla area restaurants for dinner - each of which have long since gone away.

Also, we'll need to set the rules of physics, time and space aside -- such as the time it takes to travel between places, and the fact that if you eat well all day, you may not be hungry for dinner.

It is an interesting question and one that certainly makes for good thought during a 3 mile pre-breakfast walk. So to Sue, I say, save up your calories - you're coming along with me. Here is what I came up with.

First Course

Let's start the day slowly, with coffee and pastry. The pastry - a morning bun from Tartine in San Francisco. "I'll take that pastry to go", and then zip over to that little spot in Milan by the train station, where you drink your caffès (espressos) while standing and mingling with the local residents and shop owners.

Second Course

Next would be something a little more substantial -- and a return trip to the San Francisco for a smoked salmon sandwich from Capt'n Mikes Holy Smoke, at the Ferry Building farmer's market. The alder smoked salmon is served on crusty sourdough with cream cheese, heirloom tomatoes, capers and some red onion for crunch. To go with it, I'll grab some fresh squeezed orange juice, maybe a few local ripe plums and a cup of black french roast coffee.

Lunch

The lunch choice was probably my biggest challenge. I've had so many great lunches, and there are many choices, local to me in Philadelphia, that excel in their areas but don't impress me as ideal celebration spots. I mean, is there a better sandwich than a cheesesteak from Chink's or Tony Lukes? A more satisfying meal than the no. 12 Pho from Pho 75? How about the pork sandwich with sharp provalone and broccoli rabe from Denics? But these are somehow, not special enough.

I've had great, more sophisticated lunches from XIX, Tinto, LeBec Fin. But sophistication doesn't seem the right ingredient for the day. I'm thinking more like the former group, but also more spontaneous, more current - more like street food, but not too local. Unfortunately, since my rule was, that I had to have experienced it, that leaves out all of Southeast Asia, much of Mexico & South America - all of which seem to be ideal. It also leaves out the Border Grill lunch truck, one that has that foreign flare and is on my list of things to target in the near future.

...so my choice then, is not so much a compromise, but a third approach: I think it is going to be Texas BBQ - from the City Market, in Luling, TX. Some brisket, some ribs, a sausage. I can smell the smoke!

White bread, raw onion, pickled jalapeno on the side and a local soda to wash it down.

A piece of pie - pecan, banana cream, coconut - with a scoop of Blue Bell ice cream and a glass of milk for dessert. And if they run out of pie at the City Market (something that happens every day), I know a place near Abilene.

Late Afternoon Snack

Easy one. Paris. A small city park with adequate foot traffic for people watching. A warm, sunny October afternoon. A bottle (or 2) of Burgundy, a baguette from the nearby boulangerie, several cheeses.

Afterwards, a quick jaunt over to Chestnut Hill Coffee for a macchiato. And then a nap.

Dinner

The second toughest choice is dinner, for similar reasons as lunch - too many good options to choose from and too many different approaches, too many places I want to try but haven't yet. I was almost going to choose The kitchen table menu at Charlie Trotters, in Chicago, because it is an incredible meal, but I think I prefer something with a younger feel, with higher energy, a lively bar area for drinks and appetizers, a place with fresh ingredients and grilled meats.

So, it is back to the West coast, to Santa Monica for the Border Grill (yeah, the lunch truck people - and now you know why it's on my lunch list). I think I will make a dinner out of an extended happy hour.

And with the 8 hour difference between Paris and LA, I just might be hungry and sober again.

And after all of this, I think I will be satisfied (that is of course, unless they have a slice of coconut lime pie on the menu).