Do you remember that one meal?
The one you still talk about years later—the one that refuses to be forgotten.
Maybe it was home-cooked.
Maybe it came from a tiny hole-in-the-wall.
Or maybe it was exactly what you hoped for from a five-star restaurant.
That was my experience.
A long time ago, while traveling through Florida, I celebrated my birthday with friends at the Chart House in Coconut Grove—tucked between a local dive once known as Scotty’s Landing and a high-and-dry boat storage facility, right on the marina. An unexpected place for a fine dining restaurant, yet perfectly at home on the water.
That night, deep into a saffron phase, I ordered the dish that spoke to me most: bacon-wrapped, pan-seared sea scallops with garlic-basted grilled asparagus and saffron risotto. The menu didn’t mention it, but the presentation was stunning—finished with a delicate balsamic reduction, applied in concentric circles and tiny dots around the plate. The chef was clearly an artist.
Until now, this meal lived only in memory and conversation. But by commemorating it in my journal, it’s found a permanent home. I don’t have to keep retelling the story for it to remain part of my life—it’s right here, waiting whenever I turn the page.
👆 This journal page was created using the playful wet-on-wet watercolor technique. Simply pre-wet your page, then start dropping in watercolor and watch the colors expand, mingle, and surprise you. Experiment with color theory, switch brushes to see how each one behaves on a wet surface, and enjoy the process. Once everything is completely dry, finish the page with Sharpies or Microns—adding drawings, lettering, or memories right on top. 😃
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