TABLE, PLEASE!by Kim Leady


My husband and I found ourselves in Franklin on the night before his birthday. And since I was driving, the norm according to my mate - and I have to admit he's right this time, I decided to surprise him and take him out for a special dinner.

After I sprung my surprise, he quickly announced he was hungry for steak. Of course, what else would a man want? A nice thick and juicy one prepared by a restaurant that knew how to take beef and turn it into an eating memory that would stay with you for many years to come - in more than one way.

A simple request I thought to myself. I should have known better, but hey, hindsight is always better than foresight.

It was Saturday and we were both in jeans - err go my first challenge.
I turned to him and asked as carefully as I could (after all, it was going to be his birthday dinner) if he had a certain spot in mind, while reminding him the way we were currently dressed.

After several minutes of batting around ideas, he finally decided on a place that we both had wanted to try in Brentwood. And I was fairly sure we would meet the dress code. Actually, I was praying.

As I turned down restaurant alley, the reality of my second challenge set into the pit of my stomach. Not only were the designated parking lots filled, but there were cars parked along the road and in the grassy lots between dinning establishments. Need I say this wasn't looking good?

However, never let it be said I give up easily. I pulled into the parking lot and to my amazement found a spot almost next to the door and it wasn't handicapped.

It looked like Lady Luck was coming out from behind the clouds and shining down on us. Yeah right!

Since my husband had wanted to point the car in the direction of the closest Burger King when he saw all the cars, I looked at the birthday boy and smiled a loving, but sweet "told you so" smile.

As we walked in, I quickly surveyed the place. The ambiance was nice and the smells coming from the kitchen were heavenly.

Unfortunately, my smile soon faded as the young woman informed us the wait was an hour and a half long. As we trudged towards the door, I noticed the oversized leather winged-back chairs placed here and there.
How could I have walked past these warning signs?

Any restaurant that goes to the expense of comfortable sitting for the people waiting for a table is a place with experience in long waits. Of course, this is just my observation.

Time obviously was going to be my next challenge. Apparently, I managed to hit peak hour. Nevertheless, my honey wanted steak, and I was going to get him steak even if I had to kill the cow myself.

After the fourth restaurant attempt in an hour, I looked over at my husband, who was now slumped in his seat holding his growling stomach, smiled weakly and asked, "How about we try the food court in the mall?"
He mumbled something to the effect that all he wanted was food, he didn't care what I fed him, and he'd been telling me this for the past half an hour.

While we waited in line to place our order, I had another idea. Why not ask the person behind the counter if the mall had a nice place to eat - you know, a place with a waiter - which I did, much to the horror of my husband.

Armed with the new information - a place on the bottom level of the mall at the other end, I pulled and tugged my husband, who was now yelling, "I was so close. How could you do this to me? I'm starving."
I stopped, looked at him and calmly explained he asked for steak and steak he would get, and then proceeded to drag him through the mall to the restaurant I was praying didn't have a waiting list the length of my niece's Christmas list.

When our shadows graced their entrance we were greeted by a warm face who informed us there was no wait. Thank God! We're going to get to eat before midnight tonight after all!

Although the waiter didn't bring our appetizer until we were stuffed by our main course, and he never did bring the warm rolls I requested when we were seated, I did manage to get my husband his steak.

Check, please!



Kim

PS - to this day Steve is very cautious about asking for steak.