Date Night Sushi

Two of my friends do date night once a week. Sort of like the Obamas. 

Last week, though, we all and a number of different things to celebrate and we decided to crash date night and make it a group party.

Handsome Paul (I am not actually sure how this nickname got started--Paul probably owes one of the guys for this) pulled us some strings and got us a reservation at Sushi Samba. We sat upstairs by the window.

We started with the Otsumami, which was an assortment of edamame, green bean tempura (my favorite), and shishito and of course drinks!

Then the fun really began. I had the Seviche de Mariscos which included lobster, crab, and shrimp in coconut milk--and in a real coconut. 

When I was finished I wished I hadn't eaten it so fast!

I resolved myself to pick at everyone else's meals too. 

Including the super fabulous coconut rice.

The Sea Bass skewers and peruvian corn were a particular favorite.

For those crazy people, like Danielle, who aren't fans of fish, there's more than just sushi here.

For dessert we did Samba S'mores--another Handsome Paul pick--and wow were they awesome. 

We had twelve people so everyone got a s'more. 

The gooey marshmallow outside was well suited to holding it over the fire.

Then inside was ice cream, cake, and chocolate--like an ice cream cake pop s'more.

I'm happy to crash Jaida and Paul's date nights any time. 

Books of Wonder and East Side Sushi

Wednesday Night there was YA Genre Face Off at Books of Wonder.

The amazing and talented and all around awesome guy, Adam Silvera, asked me if I was up for helping represent science fiction with the lovely Joan Paquette and I said of course.

My books were in great company.

Representing contemporary Elizabeth Eulberg (or Elizabeth #1 since there were two of us) mentioned that Better Off Friends was inspired by the age-old question can a guy and a girl really be best friends--and nothing more--and the quintessential girl-guy-best friend movie, When Harry Met Sally.

She also said that when she does school visits, she gets a lot of blank stares at this movie restaurant.

This happened to me a lot when I was teaching. I'd mention a movie and get blank stares and be like "um I am not that much older than you, please see more movies" and most of my students would roll their eyes. But anyway...

Also on the contemporary team, Laurie Boyle Crompton was there with The Real Prom Queens of Westfield High, a book about a bunch of outsiders who get to go to prom queen makeover camp, which is also a reality show, and they have to battle it out to be prom queen and win a million dollars.

I totally wish this had been a real thing when I was in high school because while I might not have cared about being prom queen (I was so not on that radar) me and my competitive drive would have been really into trying to win a million dollars.

Laurie inspired us SF and Fantasy writers to talk about what our own characters prom ambitions would be. 

Janelle and Ben, by the way, probably wouldn't have gone to prom. I mean, with the whole world falling apart they were a little busy, but I think that would have had a lot more fun getting dressed up and doing something together or with a small group of close friends rather than going to the prom.

On team fantasy was Marie Rutkoski with The Winner's Curse, the first in a trilogy. Interestingly enough though, she conceived of the book as a stand alone only once she got near the end she realized she was going to have to write more than just one book, otherwise her readers who be really mad at her for ending the book like that. 

This is also a fantasy novel but without magic--it's set in another world but feels more historical. After hearing Marie talk about it, I definitely am into reading this. I think Janelle and Ben might have something in common with Kestrel and Arin.

The other fantasy member was Leah Cypess whose novel Death Sworn is near the top of my TBR pile. The contemporary and SF teams had to decide what weapon our characters would use if they needed to assassinate someone. I said Janelle would probably use a gun since she's been taught how to use one. 

But I really like Joan's answer: death ray stare. Since that seems easier and potentially more affective. 

We had a lovely crowd who asked some really great questions. 

Almost everyone had a great time.

Okay, really everyone did have a great time.

After the event ended I was starving and my friend Whitney (who used to live in my building but just moved to midtown East) and I headed over to her neighborhood for sushi at Tenzan.

We both started with Miso Soups.

 Then we feasted:

 It was fresh and cheap and delicious. All clear signs of a great night.