Ed and Janet Jared with Jimmy at Kyma

As we were leaving the Buckhead Diner yesterday afternoon, replete from our splendid repast (Jimmy stayed with his original intent of eggs Benedict while I walked on the wild side and had a crab cake with poached eggs in a Bearnaise sauce and braised asparagus) we were handed a promotional brochure about upcoming specials in the Pano's and Paul's restaurants around Atlanta. And everybody knows that Jimmy Dewar loves a deal. It's the Scot in him.

This particular deal advertised that for the next two weeks, nine restaurants (Nava, Veni Vidi Vici, Chops, etc.) would have a three course menu for $29 a person. Jimmy was enthralled, and after hours of thoughtful deliberation, decided on Kyma, a Greek restaurant where we'd never been, and invited Ed and Janet Jared to join us.

Our little enterprise turned out to be a huge success: we met the Jareds there at 7:15, and were surprised on leaving that it was already 10:30. Tempus fugit, and all that. We were brought three different appetizers, one at the time, which we shared: there were grilled scallops served with something that tasted sort of like tabbouleh, lamb meat balls with little potato patties, and arugula with mozzarella and walnuts.

A wine enthusiast and connoisseur, Ed Jared had brought an excellent 1999 Opus One from his cellar for us to enjoy, and by the time the entree was served, we were almost full, but it was too good to resist: two whole wood-smoked sea bass were filleted and divided between us, with wilted greens and little whole potatos and a wonderful eggplant stew. THEN two yummy desserts came and we passed them around the table. And while all this eating and drinking was going on, Ed and Jimmy regaled Janet and me with one funny story after another.

On the way home Jimmy was talking about what fun he'd had, and said that if it wasn't for this infernal transplant this week, he'd like to try out every special in every restaurant in the next two weeks. Jimmy just doesn't have time to be sick: I've never known anybody who enjoys life as much as he does.