so much for willpower

At some point the photography becomes a compulsion, doesn't it? Oh, it has its uses. Securing permanent residency for Conrad was aided immeasurably by the photographic record of our relationship, both in and of the photos themselves, and for how the way we file them by date helped us reconstruct our relationship story. And then there are the simpler pleasures of the two of us reminiscing over older photos, or sharing them with friends and family who may actually want to see some of them.

But it's a bit much, and it's something I've given a lot of thought to lately. Inundating people with information. Oversharing. The blog and Flickr - can't I sometimes live life without having to document it endlessly?

Apparently not. Ah well.

I had intended last night to enjoy being treated to dinner at Topolobampo by our friend Howard, in town from San Francisco for the weekend with his friend Dennis. No photos. A late dinner, drinks, conversation. And for a while, I was managing to do just that. All was tasty, and the evening slipped along terrifically well.

And then Howard's beef tartare (yes, at Topolobampo) came out. So exquisitely composed, like a Japanese meal, it seemed. Marvelous. I slipped. I asked if I could have a photo. Howard acquiesced.

One course later (we were having three different tasting menus, so Howard was the only one with his particular dishes), out came Howard's spot prawns. Oh my word. I was gushing (without even realizing that Rick Bayless was sitting at the table over my shoulder, dining with his wife in their own restaurant). Bugger. Good effort at not taking photos there, Peter.

I actually held off on any more until dessert. I loved my dessert muchly - multiple coconut confections in the dish. One more photo.

In for a penny, in for a pound. Photos, and since I had them, a blog post to go with.

Forgive the oversharing. And brace yourselves. Tonight's dinner of braised chicken thighs is almost ready to be served, and that may mean still more photos ahead.

Frontera with Howard

The latest post to reach back - yes a few more still to come from Missouri. This time, though, while I'm feeling too lazy to do a big entry and feeling in a food mood from watching episodes of Top Chef, it's a handful of shots from dinner right before Memorial Day weekend. Howard was in town for IML, so he and I (Conrad was out of town) met up for dinner at Frontera Grill.

Ahhh, Frontera. I really love the place - I think I've mentioned that before on the blog. Howard and I met outside the restaurant at 4:30, which left us first in line for the dinner opening.

We were at a table (along with two of Howard's friends, also in town for IML) by 5:30 and soon enjoying dinner. I wish the photos had all turned out - especially the shot of Jill, the sommelier. Conrad and I sing her praises, and once again she ensured that our dinner was a wonderful experience. The food, mind you, helps!

Chiles rellenos. Not on the menu, you have to know to ask for it. And get there early. We shared these an appetizer.

My meal: serrano-marinated mahi mahi, cooked over the coals, in a creamy sauce of wild hedgehog mushrooms and roasted poblano chile. Rustic mashed potatoes and grilled green beans. People will be surprised to know, but the hedgehog mushrooms caught my eye, and it was a winning choice.

On the side: grilled green onions. I shared, no worries.

Jill sent out some dessert wine and a couple of desserts. The fruit soup did not photograph well (sorry, I should say that I did not photograph it well), but the ice cream sandwich did. I'm not doing it justice with that label.

So it was, another fine night at a favourite restaurant. We waddled out contentedly, and I was soon into a cab home.