Table for One...

For a very long time, I didn’t hear those words. I was always with someone when I went to a restaurant. It was “table for two” or “table for five” or some multiple of one or two or three.

I would go out to eat with my husband and, when we had to wait for a table, he always gave his name as “Donner”. When it was our turn, the person in charge of such things would call out “Donner, party of two”….and we would take our seats, amid stares from anyone else who was waiting and “got” the joke.

Tonight, there was no “Donner Party”….it was just me. After walking up and down the Embarcadero, and taking at least a hundred pictures, I wanted to sit down to a nice meal. A seafood meal.

And so, I stopped and looked at the menu that was posted outside a restaurant called “The Galley”…..and the “pan seared scallops” sounded wonderful. They were served with fresh vegetables, in season, and my choice of “one side”….garlic mashed potatoes, wild rice pilaf, or French fries. That was no contest: pilaf, of course.

As I walked in, the Maitre D’ asked me: “table for one?” and I replied “yes!” I was shown to a small table in the corner of the main part of the dining room. I had a wonderful view of the fishing boats and Morro Rock.

And everybody in the restaurant…..

I took a pad of paper out of my purse and made some notes. I wrote down the name of the restaurant, what I ate, and a couple of cryptic notes about people I observed during dinner. There is an ever so slight possibility that my actions were misinterpreted: the waitress and the Maitre D’ couldn’t do enough for me!

My water glass was refilled when it got to half full. I was offered more rolls at least three times. My waitress asked me frequently how I was doing. And, of course, I was doing fine! Were they worried about the notes I was taking?

When I finished eating, I was offered a dessert menu. I know, from perusing the menu before I walked into the restaurant, that they feature crème brulee……oh gosh, would that have been fun? But, alas, I was too full. No dessert for me, thanks!

I may have to go back there before I go home to Podunk. The people were so nice, and so attentive, and the food was delicious! I will walk in and nod my head and smile when he asks: “table for one?”

And I will have the crème brulee…..