"You can dress 'em up, but you can't take 'em out."
It's an adage my parents have often used of my siblings and me when we have gone to fine dining establishments in the past. There's something about going to a really nice restaurant that brings out the goofiness in a person. Or, at least it does for a person who's not used to going to those kinds of places. Somehow, my mom was able to teach us to "dine with kings" while we goofed off, and I am very grateful for the training.
The training came in handy as the staff team celebrated Christmas on Sunday night with dinner at Hacienda del Sol. You know you're at a nice place when they set a small plate in front of you with "fingerling potato something something with something thyme and something sauce", compliments of the chef, before they even give you the menu. Something about it being called "fingerling" potatoes made us all use our fingers to eat it, but I'm pretty sure by the way it didn't just pick up off the plate that we should've used a utensil. Maybe the training didn't come in so handy...
Ah, but it did when they brought out the wine list. We ordered a bottle of Riesling which scored a 97 on the something wine tasters something something list last month. The waiter brought it out and poured just a little bit in my glass. Due to my stellar training and experience, I knew the right thing to do was to taste it and confirm it was indeed a good wine. I did so, and the waiter then poured me a full glass and proceeded to serve the rest of the table. Bryce gave me a hard time because I didn't swirl the glass around and smell it first, but I thought I did a pretty good job for my first time.
Another sign of a good restaurant is when you don't feel like you're being watched, but whenever you need something, all-of-a-sudden, someone from the wait staff magically appears. When someone would get up to go to the bathroom, a waiter would come by and fold their napkin at their place for when they got back. When the food came while Diana was in the bathroom, the waiter put a cover over hers so that it wouldn't get cold, and when she returned, he was suddenly there to take it away. They took great care of us.
But, the best thing about being there had to be sharing it with the team. It was far better than dining with kings - you have to put on your best behavior with kings, but with your staff team you can let loose. Can you tell that I love these people? I am so blessed to be living life alongside them for a time.
Unfortunately, we were missing three key people. Susan is currently in Colorado visiting her parents, and Jason had to pay a visit to the hospital for some heart problems. He's okay, and back at home now, but it meant that he and Mandi couldn't make it to dinner. We certainly felt the huge hole they left.
So, here we are (those of us who made it), all dolled up and looking fancy. I ask you, have you ever seen a better looking group of people? I think not.
Just in case you were in any doubt of our beauty after seeing that one, here's one of the lovely ladies of the Strudel house.
What a team!
2 comments:
Okay, the fingerling thing is entirely my fault. Did you notice that the potatoes were shaped like fingers? THAT'S where the name comes from. They have a yummy, dusky flavor, very intense for a potato. Alas, you eat them with a fork. Sounds like you had great fun; I too am glad for the folks you work with.
They didn't look like fingers to me.
But they were just the right size to eat with your fingers. And by they, I mean, the tiny sample on the tiny plate. Krista didn't mention that it was about the size of an alka-seltzer tablet.
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