Heather's birthday

Question: how many framed "best of" plaques do you need on your restaurant wall before you are entitled to act snooty at the expense of your customers? Answer: I couldn't count them all, but ask the folks at Oleana, Kendall Square's self-proclaimed gift to the Boston area culinary scene, and they'll gladly let you know.

Heather and her friend Katie share the same exact same birthday (yesterday), so we went out to celebrate along with Katie's boyfriend Andrew, their friends Cindy and Shelley, and Cindy's brother Ivan. Great food and wine enjoyed at our cozy table in their incredible outdoor patio, if only my camera was working... I had tuna with a spicy pomegranite paste and cucumber salad - it was delicious!

Oleana, however, did not let me bring in the cake I had for Heather and Katie, no outside cakes allowed because they hurt the pastry chef's ego, which must be as delicate as the crust on the baked Alaska we shared for dessert. On our way out I asked them to cut the cake in half so each of the birthday girls could take some home. No way. Not happening. Even worse, they don't serve liqour so it was no go on the traditional birthday tequila shots. So they get a big thumbs up on food and atmosphere, big thumbs down on bad attitude.

So we took the cake to the B Side Lounge down the street, where they gladly cut it for us and served up the tequila. A great ending to a great night! Happy Birthday Heather!