A Grand Night Out

For my Birthday GTB had this surprise for me, we are going to a restaurant for a party.What! surely not, yep. We all piled into Yuras car and drove for about a mile. Typical of this type of place almost unnoticed through the day but jumps into life at night I had been passed it often and never given it a second glance, but here we were the trees glisten with frost the lights all a twinkle a large garish sign over the door proclaiming "Pheasant" this name only became clear when we got inside, for there they were stuffed and mounted all over the place in various flying poses mind you most everything was covered in Christmas lights  and decorations so not a lot showed.

Our table is upstairs on the longest part of horseshoe shaped mezzanine which was perfect, giving us some privacy, the great board surrounded by large comfortable couches with a single armchair at the head for me.

Now I am gobsmacked 15 places set, the table already disappearing under the mass of salads and goodies, bottles of champagne, wine and vodka, fruit juices and jugs of water.

Once everyone had arrived and were seated it was tuck in and drink up time, Phew! multitudinous plates of salads and cold meats are consumed with gusto and vodka, the attentive staff whisking away empty dishes only to be replaced with different ones, conversations gradually got more animated as the evening wares on, yet more food arrived this time hot meats chicken beef and pork accompanied with mushrooms in a cream sauce,as well as a kind of Stroganov and more vodka. Soon the music from down below grew louder as the diners took to the dance floor, Genny and Co could not resist the lure of the rhythms and were soon on their feet, returning to their places as each new course arrived. People are singing and clapping our party as loud and noisy as any. Glasses constantly replenished with Champagne,Vodka or Wine, Toasts to Me, to friends past and present, to Genny our children and grandchildren, a toast for a good life happiness and to friendship were among the many drunk this night.

More noise from below, a floor show? An unlikely looking Santa Clause accompanied by some lithe young ladies kept us entertained. The plates were cleared and more food arrived. Dancing recommenced until another act took to the stage this time a girl doing rhythmic gymnastic ribbon twirling, she was followed by Santa and partner in a not so strictly come dancing display. More music and loud cheering from the floor, Santa had returned and was stripping, that was too much for me and some of the guys, we retreated to the table and had vodka much more betterer. Finally as seems to be traditional at these do's a Belly Dancer. She was pretty good, one of the troupe of girls who have entertained us all night I think.

Finally the Disco starts that's it, all our party with the exception of my mate Voloda and I get on to the dance floor. I watch my Genny dancing laughing amongst her friends, my heart is almost bursting with joy and love for this wonderful woman. On their return I have a small twirl each with Genny Ira and Luda but that's enough. I like watching dancing, doing it, nah! not my thing at all.
We have been celebrating for about five hours, having drunk our fill ate are fill clapped sang and danced  the night away and still there is more to come. The waitress sets the table with tea pots cups and saucers, in preparation for the final part of the night MY Cake.
The usual thing for me is to have a rich fruit cake my Mum was famous for hers, in Odessa this is not to popular but I have been going on to Genny for weeks, as usual she resignedly takes it all in smiles and nods. Tonight she has outdone herself, this wondrous confection arrives. It is a fruit cake but not as I know it, covered in fresh and glace fruits it is a sight to behold, inside is hard to describe a stiff souffle with folded in fruit, cherries, strawberries with cream and sugar stiffened I suspect with gelatin very firm that can be cut with a knife, the base is thin sponge. shaped into two pieces, a seven and a zero brilliant sugary and very tasty.

The party has started to break up Taxi's are arriving Yura is making sure our guests get away safely. Finally all is over except we sit quietly for another few minuets drinking tea and remembering the evening. This is a birthday party I will never forget being a Christmas and Birthday boy I cannot remember having a Birthday Party on my Birthday before. Now I not only had one it was a corker thanks to my lovely wife and family.