BSC 2 Chez Dickson - boogie in the butt

Dateline: Park Slope, 04.30.07.

What was meant to be a spring-into-summer, cut-offs and flip-flops, grillin and chillin, park style soiree was moved indoors when Amanda, the hostess of BSC 2, felt an autumn chill in the morning air. When all the dust of relocation had settled and the scene had shifted to Amanda's airy and bright apartment, the sun was out, the weather was grand, and only one kermudgeonly cooker was still ticked about the change of venue. "Man, this is bulls***", Sean muttered as he carried his steamed artichokes and aggressively flavored aioli up the stairs to Amanda's third floor spot.

But the tenor of the evening would soon change as lime and cucumber gimlets gave way to those ridiculous artichokes, albarino teamed with two sweet/savory salads, which would then step down in favor of various reds to match the big london broils and salsa verde of our host. And a night-cap of muddled cucumber and gin washed down the last of the delicately tart cupcakes and chocolate pudding with pistachios and mascarpone that sent most partygoers into the night feeling like school was OUT, regardless of the season.




spicy watermelon and tomato salad

this is all about proportions so if you like one spice more than another, add it.
be careful with the cayenne though as it can overwhelm.
also note that the watermelon will continue to shrink in size and give off more water so dont keep this for too long without eating it.

my proportions:

half a seedless watermelon. 1" cubes
two packages, grape tomatoes, sliced in half
one bunch of green onions, just the green parts, finely chopped
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
pinch of cayenne, or more if you like it
2-4 T rice vinegar

chop it all up, mix it up in a bowl, adjust vinegar and seasoning to taste, (unless you're allergic to seasoning) and bob's your uncle.

serves 10-12