Library Square Public House

They say that you should live your life in moderation and I mostly agree with that mantra. At the same time, I think we have to indulge ourselves from time to time. Some people find great pleasure in buying a new toy of some kind. Other people indulge in a lazy Sunday afternoon parked in front of the television for nearly 12 straight hours of football. While I certainly enjoy new gadgets and some quality pigskin action, I believe that I am at my most self-indulgent when I’m sitting at the dinner table.

There are few better ways to spend your money than on your stomach (and on the stomach of your loved ones). I realize that this comes with a fair deal of first-world guilt, as there are countless people around the globe who are not as privileged, but there is definitely something to be said about having a nice sit-down meal. Fine dining, by its very definition, is an indulgence. You don’t need to have perfectly seared scallops to feel nourished. You don’t need foie gras on a $60 burger to be satiated.

Now, this isn’t to say that I throw caution (and logical thought) to the wind when I sit down with a menu in front of me. I am very much conscious of the “value of a dollar,” so to speak, so I still choose what I eat carefully. By the same accord, I typically only have one drink (maybe two) with dinner, because I know that the markup on drinks in restaurants is quite high and I could just as easily enjoy a bottle of beer or a glass of wine at a much lower price at home. I don’t really indulge in that respect.

I will indulge, however, in a nice steak. Yes, I could go out to the butcher (Windsor Meats, next to Happy Pho on Main Street, has always been one of the best) and get a fine cut of beef, but there’s no way that I would prepare it quite as well as professional chefs. Others may disagree, but those “others” probably have more culinary skill than me too. This is also why I’m more inclined to order things off the menu that I would not (or could not) make myself.

Beyond the dollars and cents, I do find that I indulge in food that may not be the healthiest option. Go ahead. Load me up with saturated fats and excessive sodium. Is this prudent? No, not really, but it certainly can be delicious.

What is your greatest indulgence? Fresh shucked oysters? A giant slice of chocolate cake? A snazzy new outfit for your New Year’s Eve party?