The reader writes:

This was a totally weird, but totally awesome dinner. We had just been complaining to some of our foodie friends that we have a habit of picking up interesting ingredients while traveling, but hesitate to open them for a regular old dinner at home. They said they were in the same boat, so we planned a “dinner” of all those weird but delicious little things we had been saving for a special occasion. Pate, tapenade, pickles, preserves — plus fresh bread and local cheese. The obvious accompaniment to all this salty, rich food? Champagne. Oh, it was delightful.