We had an early Christmas Eve dinner (4:00 pm) at Tony’s American Restaurant, a mere ten-minute stroll from our apartment. Tony’s is the restaurant where we had a lovely traditional Thanksgiving dinner last month. I was quite miffed at myself at that dinner for not taking photos of it before digging in. Trust me . . . the food was beautifully arranged on the plate as if it were a work of art. On our way to Tony’s for our Christmas Eve dinner I told Barry I wanted to remember to take photos of the food before I dug in. I couldn’t wait to see what a beautiful plate arrangement would be presented.
The Christmas Eve Dinner Menu
- Bruscheta trio with cheese and salami platter
- Arugula, pear, and brie salad
- Salmon filet with butter lemon cream sauce
- Baby grilled veggies
- Apple pie with ice cream
Cost: 2390 lek per person ($27.50)
Barry took a pass on the Christmas Eve special and ordered from the menu
- Taco plate (3 pork tacos)
- Onion rings
- Cheese cake with caramel sauce
Cost: 1550 lek ($17.85)
Beverages: two beers for Barry @350 lek=700 lek ($8.05), two glasses of white wine for me @300 lek = 600 lek ($6.90)
Total dinner cost: 5240 lek ($60.26) That’s close to what we would have paid for two sandwiches, two glasses of wine, and two beers plus 20% tip for lunch at Lodi Brewery. Tips are not expected here in Tirana but if a tip is left, 10% is considered generous. We added a 400 lek tip to our bill which is less than 10%. ($4.60). That may not seem like much but it’s a lot when you consider the cost of living here. Here 80 lek buys a loaf of bread or a byrek, which is a substantial pastry filled with your choice of meat, cheese or spinach suitable for any meal of the day. An espresso is 70 lek, and 100 lek buys a generous slice of pizza. So a 400 lek tip is significant to the wait staff. We live like upper middle class people in Tirana on our Social Security benefits with plenty of money left over at the end of the month.
We arrived at Tony’s a few minutes before 4 pm
They were just setting up . . . covering the tables with table cloths and putting the “reserved” signs on selected tables. There was a table set up for twelve and scattered tables set up for two to four people. Given that Christmas Eve fell on a Wednesday most diners were likely workers who wouldn’t show up until 6 pm or later.
We placed our order and soon the bruschetta trio arrived along with Barry’s tacos and onion rings.
I offered Barry the salami off my bruschetta plate and dug into the tantalizing bruschetta without a thought that I needed to take a photo until it was half eaten. OMG . . . there was one bruschetta with a thick creamy topping to die for . . . a small chunk of blue cheese, a small chunk of fresh mozzarella, and small chunk of cheddar. I gave Barry a bite of the bruschetta with the thick creamy topping and then I gobbled down the rest. “Oh sh*t, I forgot to take a photo before digging in.” Ugh! This photo shows only what was left when I realized I hadn’t taken a pic.
I had my wits about me when the salad arrived and took a photo before digging in. It was a nice change of pace from the richness of the bruschetta. Arugula is not my favorite salad green but the pear and brie were quite tasty.
I had a few of Barry’s onion rings waiting for my salmon filet main course. Tony’s onion rings are the best! I didn’t have to wait long before the waiter brought me a second glass of wine and my entrée. OMG it was beautiful. Barry was still working on his tacos, even offering me bite. “No thanks,” I said as I started on my salmon filet. Umm . . . so good as I admired the tiny grilled potatoes and baby carrot.
I was telling Barry how I used to cook salmon filets on the grill of my Lodi stove when, all of a sudden, as I was taking the last bite of salmon I realized I hadn’t taken a photo of the plate before I dug in! “Sh*t, how can I be so dumb? All I’ve talked about is getting good photos and I’ve messed us again!”
You will have to take my word for it. The salmon and the grilled baby vegetables were a feast for the eyes that so mesmerized me that I had blanked out again about taking a photo before taking my first bite. Barry tried to soothe me by saying “What’s more important? Living life or photographing it?” That helped a little because I do have to say as much as I tried to stay conscious about taking photos during dinner, my ability to “live in the moment” took priority.
All that was left to photograph is the baby carrot, salmon skin, and tiny baby potatoes. How sad. It was a beautiful plate when served.
I have no photo of my apple pie and ice cream. I was so taken by its appearance when it arrived I had to take an immediate bite. It was not like any apple pie I’d ever seen. The crust was a dark color and I think the pie also had raisins in it. I don’t know. All I can say it was so delicious that when the waiter offered to bring a fork to Barry so he could share it, I said “No, this is mine!” I wanted every precious bite.
The waiter suggested a cheese cake for Barry who had the presence of mind to photograph it. Being the generous fellow that he is, he offered me a bite. It was also delicious! I, being not so generous, was not willing to give him so much as a bite of my specialty apple pie that was a one-time only offering. I will have to ask Tony to make it a regular menu item.
We were home by 6 pm. Time to open our presents
I find it really hard to find something Barry wants but this year was easy. We live in futbol country. Barry loves anything Albanian. He has a red and black Albanian futbol muffler. I have an Albanian red and black beach blanket I use as a lap robe when we go to Café Roma on date night and sit on the patio under the stars.
I was able to buy two red and black futbol jerseys for Barry from a street vendor on one of my walks to my dentist. I am easy to “buy” for . . . cash in any form is always welcome. And, as I said, Barry is very generous! Our last Christmas in Lodi Barry hollowed out a pineapple, inserted a glass jar filled with a roll of twenty-dollar bills taped end to end that equaled $200 when the roll was completely unfurled. A shopping spree enssued!
This year Barry hunted all over town for a Christmas card to no avail. He finally selected a purse-size “happiness journal” in which he placed four folded 5000 lek (approximately $200) tucked in the middle pages . . . a spending spree in the making!
As far as getting into the habit of taking blog-worthy photos in the moment I think I might have to write PHOTOS! on the back of my hand when heading out to a blog worthy event.
In the meantime, I hope your Christmas is jolly and your New Year fruitful.
Oh how I love your posts!! I do miss you but getting your stories is such a treat. Have a wonderful New Year.
Hi Eunice,
Thank you for your comment. It lets me know my “blog writing effort” is not misplaced and encourages me to continue. I hope all is going well for you and the store. Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous 2026.
A most impressive holiday! Merry Christmas
Harlan
Thank you, Harlan and a Happy New Year to you!
I know how you feel re: beautifully plated meals & forgetting to take a pic before digging in & being annoyed with myself. Been there, done that.
Hi Mary, Thanks for letting me know you can relate to realizing I’d forgotten to take the “perfect” photo before digging in. Honestly that dinner was A+. Umm, and so enjoyable.
You described your enjoyment of the meals so well that we could imagine the careful placement of each item as well as the gastronomy, in the moment. But I laughed so hard at the 59,000 (yes) photos on my smart phone, documenting every instant of life–especially food and travel. I think your immersion in the NOW is more important. Really. What can one do with 59,000 photos anyway?
Thanks, Kanika for letting me know the post of our Christmas Eve dining was described enough that the missing perfect photo didn’t damage your enjoyment.
Yes indeed, 59,000 (!) photos is impressive and notes your genealogy discovery journey has taken you far and wide!