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Hearing his deep, decadent voice call me baby sent thrills to my core. I was liking this man a little too much. “Here we are.”
Zack glanced up at the flashing neon sign. “Heated Rocks.” He looked back at me with a cheeky grin. “Conjures up all sorts of fantasies.”
I laughed. “It does actually but the food is delicious.”
Zack pushed the door open, and we stepped inside, leaving the noise of the street behind. Soft music played, the lighting was muted, and the atmosphere was romantic.
I visited the place often but was always alone. It was only now, with a man beside me, I realized how the place oozed romance.
A young man by the name of Abel greeted us. “Good Evening, Natalie. Table for two?” His eyebrows rose as he checked out Zack.
“Yes, thank you.” We were led to a table by the window.
Zack held out my chair while I was seated, and after he sat, we were handed our menus.
“This is nice. Do you come here often?” He glanced around the interior.
“Once a week at least. If I feel lazy...twice. I love the flavour of the steak when it is cooked on the rocks.”
Zack gave me a puzzled look. “Cooked on rocks? I’m afraid I don’t eat out often except at the Chinese restaurant where we ate the other day so you will have to enlighten me.”
At that very moment, Chef Andre made an appearance at our table. He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “Natalie, Darling, this is the third time this week, I will have to start paying you. You are here more than some of my staff.” His eyes raked over Zack when he stood and offered his hand.
Andre gathered Zack’s hand, shook, and held on until Zack twisted out of his grip. “Pray tell, what is your name, you gorgeous creature?”
“Zack...Pleased to meet you.”
“Darling...Not as pleased as I am to meet you.”
Zack blushed furiously and while it was entertaining to watch, I came to my date’s rescue. “Zack, this rude man is Andre, the best chef in the state. Andre, thisgorgeousman isnotgay. He is my date so, please, rein in your lust and go back to your cooking.”
“You spoil all my fun.” He placed another kiss on my cheek and turned to Zack. “If you change your mind about which team you would like to bat for, you know where to find me, Zack.”
I laughed as Andre sashayed back to the kitchen, his slim hips swinging seductively.
“Sorry about that. Andre is a sweetheart but can be over the top.”
“I noticed. Now…back to this cooking on rocks.”
We were again interrupted as our drink orders were taken. I waited until the attendant left us alone.
“I am not an expert, but I will give you a rough explanation of what it entails. Lava stones are placed in a special oven, and they are heated to extreme temperatures. When the chef is ready, he withdraws the stones and slides them onto a special plate. He then places steak, fish, or chicken...whatever the customer chooses, onto the hot stone and it cooks.”
Our drinks were placed in front of us, and I sipped at my white wine. Zack took a swig of his red wine.
“So, the food actually cooks on the stones. It isn’t cooked before?”
“Not at this restaurant. I think some may partially cook the food before placing it on the stones, so it doesn’t take so long but here, you watch it cook in front of you.”
“What about vegetables or salad?”
“Andre always serves the dishes with salad on a side plate and a small container of whatever sauce you would like for your meat. Because of how it is done here, the main menu is limited but there are fifty-eight different sauces to select from to dress your meat.”
“Fifty-eight?”
“Yep, quite a choice. The main dishes are limited but the dessert menu is extensive and to die for.”
“What about entrees?”
