She shook her head.“Would you like iced tea, Mike?”
“Yes, please.”
“I’ve got you right over here,” Jamie said, showing him the table.He’d managed to get silverware and a napkin on the table before Mike came in.
Mike sat down and laid a book on the table, over where another person would have sat.“Thanks.”
Jamie had prepped a small salad earlier.He dressed it in a bowl with a robust extra-virgin olive oil.After a few tosses, he added a tarragon-infused vinegar that he’d made up in advance.He put it all on a plate, added some kalamata olives, fresh tomatoes, and shaved shallots.
“Here’s a small salad to get you started.I’ll bring you some bread in a second.”
Jamie opened the bottom drawer of the bread warmer, a drawer that was never used, and got out the sourdough bread he’d made after making biscuits that morning.He delivered it to Mike.“Enjoy.”
He darted over to the grill.The steak he’d coated in crushed peppercorns was sitting out, next to the small lava rock grill that was rarely, if ever, used.I can’t wait to replace this antique.He gave it a good sear, marking the meat.Once he was satisfied, he turned it into a small skillet, with plenty of butter, having let it brown.Jamie picked up the bundle of herbs that had been on the same plate as the raw steak and basted the steak.
“Plate, please?”he asked Walter.
“Here,” Walter said, handing over the plate from the salamander.“Hot.”
With a towel, Jamie took the plate and set it in front of him.There was a pan behind him on the cold food counter with everything he needed for the sauce.He noticed that, as busy as he was, Walter kept an eye on him.
After a few seconds, Jamie started the traditional peppercorn sauce.The dish was simplistic in reality, and Jamie did his own take on the French classic.
“Hey, Salzy,” Jamie called out.
“Yes, boss,” Salzy smiled at him.
Jamie couldn’t help rolling his eyes.“Can you go and check and see if Mike is done with his salad, please?If so, take the plate away?”
“I’m on it.”
“Oh, and get a new set of silverware and a steak knife.It’s all set out on that shelf next to my bench.”
“Tyrant.”
When he was satisfied with his sauce, he glanced over his shoulder.Salzy had removed the plate, gotten the new flatware in place and had even refilled the iced tea and water.
“Here we go,” Jamie said as he placed the plate in front of Mike, using a clean kitchen towel.“The plate is hot.”
Mike looked down.“Steak au poivre?”
Jamie was surprised.“Uh...yeah.I hope that’s alright?”
Mike nodded and picked up the knife and fork.“I like this dish.”He looked at Jamie with a smile.“It’s another favourite.”
“Enjoy.”Jamie stepped away and went back to his bench after getting the bowl of strawberries out of the walk-in.He watched Mike, who was chewing slowly with his eyes closed.
Hot damn!He likes it.
