It is hard to even know where to begin when writing about the most memorable meal I have enjoyed with Vince. There was that summer evening we spent on Chris and Vince's deck sipping margaritas made with freshly squeezed lime juice and watching Vince lovingly baste an enormous rack of ribs on the grill. Its equal was during a weekend in Sag Harbor when Vince turned the simplest hamburger into a divine creation by adding olives, garlic, and some other ingredients I was too slow or drunk to catch. And then there is the guacamole…. And that only captures the summer months. I did not think a cold and dreary winter Sunday could be rescued until Vince whipped up a few croque monsieurs and popped a bottle of champagne. Better yet was the utterly decadent multilayered eggplant parmigiana he served on a frigid winter night in the cozy living room of their first apartment in Brooklyn. While I could continue to detail meal after amazing meal, one truly stands out. It was the end of August and peak basil season. Vince grilled the most beautiful steaks, which he served with perfectly al dente pasta tossed with the creamiest, most fragrant, home-made pesto imaginable. All served with incredible pinot noir. A meal I will never forget.
Recounting all of these feasts merely demonstrates what everyone already knows: that Vince is an absurdly good cook. While that certainly makes any invitation to his home more than merely enjoyable, it is not what makes those times great. It is the warmth and grace with which he and Chris welcome you to their table, and the intelligent, insightful, and witty conversations that are guaranteed to ensue. Some of the best times I have had since moving to Brooklyn have been spent lingering at Chris and Vince's table, wine glass in hand, listening to Luca and Eli wreak havoc in the bedroom while savoring the company of two of my most cherished friends. Happy Birthday, Vince.
Love, Shirim
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