A wonderful night.

I don't really talk about my dating life that much, but this one just can't be hidden.

Imagine getting dressed up (not super dressy, but still makeup; that's more than usual) and putting on new earrings bought specifically for tonight and going to Panera Bread (not high class, but excellent food). Following Panera, we drive to quaint and upperclass Princeton (yeah I know Rutgers Rivals ok whatever) where we park outside a cathedral-converted-to-theater (McCarter Theatre). Inside we pick up tickets and he refuses to tell me where our seats are. Its a surprise. Once allowed into the theater, we waltz down to the very front row center and debate who wants seat 103 and who wants 104.

The lights dim, the announcer tells us to turn off the cell phones and unwrap our candy now, and then suddenly we are ushered into a new adaptation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, performed by former circus performers... so you can just imagine how lively and... aerobic... the show got.

Finally, Alice returned to her chess game in her living room and the audience began to gather their things. But wait, the night is not over. Follow the White Rabbit's trail down the block a little to the Mad Hatter's Teaparty, where the two special drinks are the Mad Hatter Teatini and the Cheshire Smile (or some such name like that). While enjoying the live music and mingling with the guests, and later the actors, feel free to sample the catered hors d'oveurs:

~Certified Organic and Grass Fed Beef Tartar, Rosemary Crostino, Dijon Mustard, White Truffle (yes I am a lacto-ovo-pesco-pollo vegetarian *grin* but yes I ate raw beef to say I did it *grin wink*)
~Coriander Encrusted Aji Tuna, Pickled Jalapeno, Cucumber (spicy and sour)
~Oysters on the Half Shell, Champagne Mignonette (smelled good)
~Vanilla Scented Pulled Pork, Chive Crème Fraiche, Micro Greens (somehow, we missed this one)
~Lollipop Lamb Chops, Mint Chimichurri (had to pass it up to make up for the tartar)
~Moroccan Crab Cakes, Lemon Saffron Aioli (to die for)
~Cabrales Stuffed Dates with Jamon Serrano (in English, dates stuffed with cabrales cheese and wrapped in prosciutto from Parma)
~Olive Oil Braised Artichokes, Roasted Garlic, Pecorino (didn't see this one either)
~Roasted Butternut Squash and Fresh Sage Petit Quiche (like the crab cakes, orgasmic)
~Black Cecci Bean Bruschetta , Red Onion Confit, Olive Oil Whipped Ricotta (wow)

After three gintinis or Cheshire whozits between the three of him (he himself and him) I got to wrestle over the keys and force myself into the driver's seat. Overall... it was an excellent evening. And I now have a pretty oyster shell for my trinket collection and the mentality of a 7-year-old. All that, and since its in a college town, its relatively affordable. Granted... its PRINCETON... but still. They need things cheap there so they can save to pay off tuition loans.

If ever this show comes to your area, go and see it, and pamper yourself somehow before or after, even if that just means putting on makeup. It will make the experience so incredible.