September seems to be a very happy-humping month seeing now I'm way in debt taking people out for their birthdays in the month of May. 

The beginning of last week was absolutely beautiful.  J & I took our dear friend N, out to celebrate her 26th birthday at a Murray Hill joint - ThaiNY.  The three of us had been friends since grade school and since we all hadn't seen each other in months, we filled the evening with lots of eats and chats. 

The evening after, I took G out to Oliva, a tiny tapas spot in the LES.  The menu offers a great selection - The portions are delicious and plentiful, and the drinks pack a real punch!  We ordered the Tortilla Espanola (egg, potato & onion), Mussels St. Jean de Luz (steamed in white wine, tomato & garlic), Calamari Bravas, Gambas al Ajillo (sauteed shrimp with garlic & olive oil), Fried Olives, and a ham/bacon-like meat and manchego platter that G consumed all on his own.  I trimmed down one piece meat, leaving the fat on my plate - which he later snuck and ate!!!  
Around 8:30PM, the place gets real dim and live jazz fills the restaurant.  Everytime G & I get together, we talk as if we haven't seen each other in years.  We are always being rushed out of the restaurant for having sat there too long and talking too loud from drinking too much!!!

Germ . Me . at Oliva