Giving Yourself A New Experience

August 6, 2014 by Elizabeth Moyer

So often we think of giving to mean “giving a gift” or “giving to others”. Today, I’d like for you to consider how important it is to give yourself new experiences. I am just back and still elated over the dinner “experience” I just had with my husband at Prune, a restaurant that has stood the test of time (15 years in NYC) on the Lower East Side and gave us more than we expected.

Here’s how it started. My wonderful soul-friend, Ted Kennedy Watson, has written many times about his dinners at Prune whenever visiting NYC. I trust Ted’s taste. In fact, I have had his recommendation written down for a long time. The stars aligned and both my sons are currently out of town. The dog is at the breeder. No excuses. Free as a bird.

I tell my husband, who has just flown in from a meeting in Ohio, that this is where we’re going. Out of the way? Just a little. Luckily, he trusts me (and remember, I trust Ted), so off we go.

See the photo above? Imagaine I am sitting where the woman in the pale green jacket is sitting. Right there in the window on a perfect, balmy summer evening. I decide against my typical champagne and go with the “Fresca”. Good decision. Tito’s vodka + fresh grapefruit juice + tonic + mint = summer sipper perfection. I have two.

Every morsel of our meal is delicious. Soulful. Inspired. I’ve eaten all over New York City and I’m telling you….this was off the charts. And, the staff. Let’s just say they were cheerful. Happy. Helpful. Beyond. And, the accent color was…yes, you’ve already guessed it….pink! Not baby girl pink, but a raspberry pink, which is my favorite.

Small world. Don’t you love it when things happen that you think, “no way in a million years”? Well, we had one of those last night, too. Our entrees are about to arrive and we hear a familiar voice. It’s the wife of my husband’s best friend from business school, who lives in Utah. She had just arrived for the week and was walking into Prune for dinner, with a friend.. The place seats 30. There are over 7 million people in NYC. I had texted her an hour earlier to say how I wasn’t able to see them this weekend. And, there she was. Seriously?! What are the odds? I’d guess they were better that California Chrome would have won the Triple Crown.

And, finally….a friend dropped off the book, Blood, Bones & Butter, upon hearing we are heading to Prune. It is the memoir of chef/owner, Garbielle Hamilton, and it is a. page. turner. Finished it this afternoon. I have to say, if you are thinking of heading to Prune for dinner on your next foray into Gotham (and you should), read it. Wow.

Oh….and did you know Gabrielle won the James Beard Award in 2011? So, yes, it was a wonderful evening filled with special moments before we even went. But, this is the kind of thing that you can give yourself in whatever town you live in. Try something new. Go somewhere you haven’t been. Break out of the rut.

Give yourself a new experience! I know I’m glad I did!