Page 16 of The Suite Life
‘Yes, hello,’ I reply, offering him a hand to shake, like a total dork.
Roscoe laughs.
‘Come inside,’ he says, ushering me through the door, closing it quickly behind him before a passer-by can sneak so much as a peek inside.
The inside is just as shiny and new as the exterior, with the silver and blue theme carried throughout. The windows look even bigger from the inside, blocked up like they are now – this place is going to be bathed in natural light when it eventually opens.
With an effortless charm that could win over Gordon Ramsay in a heartbeat, Roscoe leads me on a tour through his new restaurant. I wonder how many people have seen it so far? This feels so intimate and special. Honestly, you would never get a date like this on Matcher – I would say I’ll always use this new app from now on, but of course I’m not rich enough to be on it, so this is my one shot at dating someone who isn’t going to take me to Nando’s.
‘Welcome to Mare Segreto,’ Roscoe tells me as he guides me through the bar.
I’m relieved to hear him say the name of the place out loud before I had the chance to mispronounce it and embarrass myself.
‘It’s stunning,’ I reply, twirling around on the spot, taking it all in.
Everything looks perfect, which makes me think the big opening must be any day now.
‘I’m trying to do something special,’ he explains. ‘It’s not just about the food here; it’s an immersive experience.’
‘Well, I’m excited that I get to try it,’ I say sincerely.
‘And I’ve got the best seat in the house ready, just for you,’ he tells me with a proud grin.
After a brief tour, Roscoe leads me into a small, separate room.
‘The pièce de résistance,’ he announces. ‘The chef’s table.’
A large table sits in the centre of a room that is tastefully but simply decorated on all sides except one. The table faces a huge set of glass sliding doors that look directly into the kitchen,almost like looking at a huge cinema screen live-streaming the heart of the action.
‘Wow,’ I blurt.
‘It’s really something, isn’t it?’ he says. ‘I wanted my guests to be able to see what was going on but, behind the glass doors, you still get the ambience of the restaurant. No kitchen noises, or smells, just luxury. It’s not just about the delicious dishes; it’s about the entire experience.’
‘It’s honestly incredible,’ I insist.
‘Well, madame, if you would like to take your front-row seat,’ he says playfully, in his best French accent. ‘I can learn more about a woman from watching her eat than I can asking her questions, so how about I whip up your lunch, before you start grilling me, hmm?’
I laugh. I’m a sucker for a pun.
‘Okay, sure,’ I say excitedly. Well, I am starving.
I take my seat at the centre of the large table as Roscoe disappears behind the glass to do his thing.
Genuinely, it’s like being at the ballet, watching him effortlessly dance his way around the kitchen. Dinner and a show – which sounds like exactly what he’s going for.
I relax into my plush chair and I still can’t believe my luck. A private dining experience, in a yet-to-be-launched restaurant, being cooked for – and waited on – by a renowned celebrity chef. If money could buy an experience like this, I know I wouldn’t be able to afford it. This is like my own personal heaven, and Roscoe is even more gorgeous in person. I know that I’ve been pretty one-track-minded, wanting nothing more than to find a date for the wedding, but… I don’t know… maybe moving on might not be so bad after all. Well, I’ll have to do it sooner or later, won’t I, it’s not like Nathan is going to come crawling back (and, even if he did, I should tell him to piss off, right?), and I don’t want to be alone for the rest of my days. If I amgoing to move on, well, perhaps it should be with someone like this? Someone who will sweep me off my feet and show me that they’re not all bad, that dating isn’t terrifying, and who knows? I might just find myself having fun.
Roscoe joins me again, presenting me with my first dish. It’s a work of art, a delicate creation with vibrant colours and intricate details, oh-so fancy, and I have no idea what it is. Still, I can’t wait to try it.
‘Here we are,’ he announces.
‘Oh, wow,’ I say, not playing it cool at all as I grab my cutlery.
Roscoe takes a seat next to me, sitting sideways so that he can face me. He places an elbow on the table and rests his head on his hands as he gives me a look.
‘I honestly don’t think there is anything sexier than watching a woman eat,’ he says, his voice low and soft. It almost tickles.
‘Well then,’ I say, trying to muster up a little seductiveness of my own. ‘I might just be the love of your life.’
