Advertisement

(Photo Credit) This post is love homework, but much easier content than past ones I’ve “assigned” here.  No, it isn’t about getting drunk on a date.  Let me explain: My wife and I have been going out to great restaurants here in the High Desert of California for almost 7 years now.  We’ve learned that when there is a long wait, the bar is instant and sometimes a better time than the regular seating.  Try it the next time.  I think you’ll prefer it to a regular table or booth!

Some of our favorite restaurants up here are the Road House, Outback, Steer and Stein, and El Torito.  Our list could go on and on but these are ones where we have tried eating at the bar.  You see, here in the High Desert there isn’t much to do on a Friday night other than eat and go to a movie.  For that reason, the lines and waits at restaurants are always 1-2 hours long.  We found a workaround.  We find out the wait time and then ask if it’s ok to eat at the bar.  All the restaurants I listed offer full service at the bar.  You get to sit on a big bar stool  next to your wife and elbow each other   Also, we have found every time that people try to talk to us.  Maybe talking to people isn’t your thing but we do enjoy meeting new people sometimes while out.  We’ve heard almost as many funny and cool stories dining at the bar as I have blogging.

We once met a couple who were having drinks and waiting for their table next to us.  We as usual weren’t in any hurry to leave the bar, we had ordered our food and were just enjoying our beverages.  As we talked to this couple a bit we learned that we all liked the same song: “Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts, and that the words very closely resembled the two couples met and fell in love.  We never saw them again after that, even though we did exchange numbers.  The other cool thing I always remember about that night is that we had so much fun dining with them that they gave their buzzing thing back when their table came available and sat with us.  Oh, I forgot to mention that was the night we saw Rascall Flatts at the Universal Amphitheater in Hollywood.

There’s something about sitting at the bar and looking into your wife’s beautiful brown eyes that is “light-hearted” and certainly romantic.  Of course, it’s impossible to make it work if you have kids with you.  This love homework must be done when you have a sitter and if you do you’re gonna prefer it!  Sarah will have a Margarita or two but I don’t drink at all.  It’s not the alcohol that makes it our choice sometimes.  It’s just like a secret way in when theirs a wait that doesn’t involve bribery.  I guess that makes us both feel like bigshots.  Here are those amazing lyrics I alluded to earlier:

Broken Road lyrics
Songwriters: Boyd, Bobby C; Hannah, Jeff; Hummon, Marcus

I set out on a narrow way, many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn’t see how every sign pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yes He did

I think about the years I spent, just passing through
I’d like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You’ve been there, you understand
It’s all part of a grander plan that is coming true

—

Next time there’s a wait, try dining at the bar.  A change in routine is often priceless. What do you think?

Tags: love homework, relationship humor, restaurant tips, romantic date ideas