Expensive Steak

 So our awesome Wednesdays, for Barry, Norman, and me, are early dinner followed by Bible Study. For last night, Barry suggested we try Daniel's Steakhouse, located in the former Fiola, in the Bacardi HQ on Sunset. We gathered at 5, to give us time for a leisurely dinner of trayf before attending the orthodox class. If the Big Man punishes for the venal, we'd better bring clothes for hot climates in the Afterlife...

Daniel's was terrific, as D2 and Jonathan reported. The very charming server showed us the special steaks, which included one out of a Fred Flintstone cartoon -- a 55 oz tomahawk from Australia. Done. A second main was lobster mac and cheese, which was a big lobster stuffed with pasta. Done. We shared a crab cake, wedge salad, caesar salad, and some sides. We each had a drink -- the vodka martinis were nice -- came on a platter with a vial of vermouth and olives -- sort of customize your own.

It ended up being the 2nd most expensive dinner of my life. Number one was the Salt Bae guy on Brickell -- Stuart picker up that tab -- $500 per person. Last night, I gave the server my card, and he had me sign -- no I reminded -- just for 1/3. The amount was $330. "That IS 1/3, Sir." Oh boy.

But you know what? Every once in awhile, you have to remember YOLO -- and last night, celebrating -- well -- everything in our blessed lives -- was one of those times.

I called D2 and she said her friends' dinner was $150 per person -- but they ordered "like humans." Truth is, the $550 Australian wagyu hangar steak could well have fed 5 -- but we acquitted ourselves nicely -- one small slice was the only remainder from our feast.

Afterwards, the challenge was to stay awake for the JLI class --- we did. The subject was finding meaning in EVERYTHING -- even a morning shower -- since it's all part of the Big Man's plan.

I was happy He planned for us to feast last night. It was memorable.

Hey -- as my late grandmother Anna said, coffins don't have pockets. We could have gone to a mundane restaurant -- but would we write about or remember that? No way. As my late boss Ed used to say, when Paul questioned his expensive wine and food tastes: "You can't afford NOT to go first class."

After my workout, I stopped at Total Wine -- my TDay task is to supply alcohol. D2 sent me a list -- it seems there will be MUCH more than required than the 23 guests will consume -- but that's ok. Last I checked, alcohol doesn't spoil.

Hell -- I have a bottle of brandy from my late Mom's liquor cabinet -- given to my parents on the first flight we ever took -- JFK to Tel Aviv in July of 1969. The brandy smells like all brandy -- I keep it for the memory -- it has an El Al inscription on the label. Probably last night's check was a majority of the cost for that 3 week trip my Dad paid for. Times change...

I saw my doc yesterday for my annual. My lipid numbers were "freakish" -- and he meant that in a good way, and my lung tests was "like an athletes." I told him the latter was since lawyers are filled with hot air -- and I guess I'm a poster child for Crestor.

Still, I remain, in medical terms, a fat pig, and Rigo said maybe try Metformin, even though I'm not yet "pre-diabetic." He's been on it for years, and he's lost weight, and feels terrific. Jonathan's uncle Lou is a fan, too -- so what the hell -- another drug to my daily regimen. Sometimes the side effects are positive -- supposably (Miami spelling) the finasteride I take for prostate keeps my hair looking thick. Who knows?

But Rabbi Moshe's lesson, though experienced through a food coma, was on point. Let every moment be sacred. Someday the moments will be gone -- like most of that Tomahawk steak last night.