He's Just Not That Into Your...Food

One of the first things you discover early on, dating someone new, is whether your stars align. If you're a serious foodie like me, the key question always involves food. 

Mine: Shall we go out for steak or soup dumplings. 

Knowing the answer early on eliminates a lot of futile hope and wasted time.

Evie Ferrante in my new book THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN has my passion for Chinese soup dumplings. I order rack of those succulent babies just for me. Anyone who encroaches on my share gets stabbed with a chopstick.

For my money, the best soup dumplings in Boston these days are in Chinatown at the (cramped, noisy, worth the wait no matter how long) Gourmet Dumpling House.

On the menu they are the Mini juicy pork dumplings. The woman in that kitchen -- once, when we were the first customers in the door, she came out to take a bow wearing a black dress and pearls and an apron -- really knows what she's doing.

These little tender noodle-wrapped packets of savory pork and ginger are served in their steamer. The soup is IN the dumplings, so DO NOT POKE THEM!

Carefully ease the dumpling off the steamer rack and into a spoon. Gently tear a hole in the dumpling. Let it cool for a few seconds if you can stand the wait. Ladle a bit of vinegar and soy dipping sauce over it and slurp your way into heaven.

Sadly Evie Ferrante is dating a guy who loves his steak served on a red leather banquette and would never venture into Chinatown.

Gourmet Dumpling House: 52 Beach St., Boston, MA

Author Hallie Ephron (hallieephron.com) writes the kind of novels she hopes will keep readers up nights. Her latest suspense novel is There Was an Old Woman.