LIFE: MY BIRTHDAY DINNER AT PASTIS AND A SAM SHEPARD SURPRISE

Happy, Happy Monday, Everyone!!!

On my actual birthday, I had a wonderful evening out to dinner at Pastis, one of my favorite restaurants in NYC, and once again, it did not disappoint!

The weather held up, and it turned into what was a truly beautiful night in Manhattan. We enjoyed my favorite french fries to start, served with mayonnaise, the true French way, and then, I enjoyed my usual chicken paillard salad with a glass of Riesling.

My all time favorite dessert, being that I don't really have a sweet tooth, is the Crêpe Suzette, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, that are the true french style, chewy crêpes with lots of elasticity, if that makes sense.

As mentioned in this weekend's blog, the evening brought a nice, unexpected surprise or two...

My first surprise was my favorite dessert with a lovely candle in it for me to make a wish for my new year and age ahead. After which, my parents and I were joined by the beautiful, bubbly, smiley and effervescent Camilla from Sweden, who truly brought inspiration and light to our evening and my day!

It just so happens that the famous and well-respected playwright and actor, Sam Shepard, was there that evening, and in town for his new Off-Broadway play Heartless, which we were later invited to attend. It stars Gary Cole, whom I acted with in a feature film a few years ago, talk about a small world!

So, the true, unexpected and 2nd surprise of the night, was when Sam Shepard himself came over to me and wished me a, "Happy Birthday," and so kindly said, how beautiful I looked! :) He was very kind, and we chatted with us for a bit and we all bonded over our Swedish roots and my being an actor as well.

My mother et moi out front of Pastis, after cocktails at the Gansevoort Hotel across the street.

Pastis, you just feel as though you are in café in Paris.

Inside Pastis just as they start seating for dinner and the yummy fries!

My extraordinary parents et moi at Pastis.

My chicken pillard salad and the delish Crêpe Suzettes.

Happy Birthday to me with my Crêpe Suzette birthday dessert surprise!

My beautiful mother et moi, who split my yummy dessert with me.

My marvelous mother, the inspiring Camille et moi at Pastis.

We were all having far too much fun, I simply adore Camilla's energy, positivity and outlook on life!

Sam Shepard et moi at Pastis via my instagram.

My mother, Sam Shepard and I pose for a picture together as well, he was so gracious.
Overall, the evening was more than I could have expected, and jump started my new age off on the right foot! Those who came into my life brought added joy, and I feel lucky to have had those moments.
Thank you to everyone for making such a lovely day, and for all the messages, comments, voicemails, cards and sweet gifts, they each made me feel so special and I am truly thankful!
Here's to what just may be the happiest year of my life! :)

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