Service and a smile

While I can't exactly characterize this blog, I can say this has not ever been a food blog. So, of course, today I am going to talk about food and then relate it to writing. Since yesterday was the big eat out day of the year, or one of them since I think Mother's Day takes the top slot, we felt we should do the obligatory thing. Also, we just came back from out of town and neither of us wanted to go to the grocery store. Unable to procure a baby-sitter, we had the seven and ten-year-old in tow. Our first two restaurant choices were already full and I began to have nightmareish visions of McDonalds on Valentines. Then, I spied a possibility, right across from our local theatre where my son is taking a class.

The restaurant sits right on the street with a red awning and has Christmas type lights all around the top. It is called Marco's Italian Bistro . When we entered and asked if they had a table the host smiled, looked through his book and said, "I can find you a spot." I don't know whether they were booked or had tons of tables, either way, he started out by making us feel special. Then, due to valentine's day, he handed me a long-stemmed red rose that smelled wonderful. I was already liking the place.

We got a high top table and I ordered the house Malbec. I know nothing about wine other than I like some kinds and not others but have yet to really educate myself on why. In this case, they did a great job of choosing their house wine because it was smooth and very tasty. My husband and son both got the lemonade which they liked and my daughter, ever the epicurean, got her usual water.

Our two main entrees came off the chef's list for the day and since it was Valentine's, they came with a glass of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. Jeff had chicken breast with three cheeses. I usually find most chicken breast that is not breaded rather bland but that was not the case here. It had that perfect marriage between taste and texture. I think maybe I might order that when we go back. I say maybe, because my order of pan fried tilapia on a bed of wild rice was fantastic too. I am wondering what else this chef can do. They served us mango italian ice between our bread and our main course as a palate cleanser. At no point was anyone's glass left empty. Our server lingered and conversed just enough to make us feel heard but not intruded upon. When asked, he had suggestions and tips. All in all, a wonderful experience. How does this relate to writing?

To begin, we had the outside presentation. I know a cover won't make me buy a book but it certainly has kept me from picking some up to even peruse. Then, we have the first impression, in this case, a smile and a rose, in a book, the first paragraph, how does it engage my senses?  Next, does it deliver what it promises with some palate cleansers in the middle to wake me up? The meal last night was a well crafted story in a book I will certainly want to read again. I hope to be able to give my reader that experience without the calories.