Another Year around the Sun: Birthday Fun

Another year wiser. Another year of new adventures. Another year around the sun. Another birthday to celebrate the joy of life!

I am immensely grateful for another trip around the sun and everything it brings—good health, laughter, and the promise of new experiences. Thank you to my friends and family for a beautiful week of celebrations filled with all my favourite things: good food, great wine, and plenty of laughter.

Birthday Dinner at Pyro, London Bridge

As a middle-aged woman, it usually takes quite a bit to drag me into town for a mid-week dinner—even if it’s my birthday. But Kenz wouldn’t have it any other way. With a babysitter secured, I met him at Pyro near London Bridge for a birthday dinner.

As the name suggests, pyro means “fire” in Greek—an apt name for this modern Greek restaurant built around an open-fire cooking concept. Located next to the ever-popular Flat Iron Square food market, Pyro offers a flavour-driven menu that brings a contemporary twist to traditional Greek cuisine. The restaurant has a stylish, contemporary feel, with dim lighting and a lively buzz. Around us were couples like us, families, and groups of corporate diners all enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. If you didn’t know better, you might think you’d wandered into a chic seaside restaurant in Mykonos.

For starters, we ordered the spiced feta, pork souvlaki, and tuna dolmades, served with sourdough potato pita on the side. Then came the mains: 50-day aged Angus beef and Dorset lamb, both cooked perfectly over the open fire. On the recommendation of our waitress, we also added smoked cauliflower as a side. Pyro boasts an extensive list of Greek wines, and the sommelier suggested the Vourvoukelis Estate Limnio, which paired beautifully with our meaty mains.

Far too full for dessert, we were delighted when Pyro sent over complimentary pastel de nata to round out the meal. Overall, an excellent modern Greek restaurant—one that gives Oma a serious run for its money.

Birthday Gathering: Friends Around My Table

Later in the week, Kenz invited a group of friends over to open my annual birthday wine box.

When I host friends at home, I love a relaxed, casual evening centred around simple, home-style cooking. This year’s menu had a Tuscan-inspired theme. We began with a large charcuterie platter of ham, cheeses, olives, and nuts. For starters, there was a panzanella salad and arugula with walnuts and avocado. For the mains, I made roasted butternut squash and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin, both with a side of warm lentil and quinoa pilaf.

One of my friends—an excellent baker—brought along a beautiful birthday passion fruit cake. As if we weren’t already on a sugar high, we also enjoyed 1-kilogram bar of Dubai-style chocolate from my in-laws.

The birthday wine box itself contains all my favourite champagnes including Ruinart. A nod to California, there was also a case of Joseph Phelps Cab, one of my favourite Napa Valley wineries. It’s a gift meant to be shared with friends and family over the year to celebrate life’s blessings.

And for that, I am immensely grateful.