There are some bars that you immediately walk into and feel unwelcome or weird about being there. When I lived in Boston I had a set of places that I knew I could go by myself and not feel weird. This was the case for when we visited JC's yesterday. We went because they have the direct tv nfl ticket with all of the games which helps when stupid games or basically not the ones you want are playing at home on tv. We usually go to Kevin's but we have to drive there and since JC's was in walking distance we went for it. Upon entry there were only some people at the bar. We ordered our beers and made sure our game was on the television. After this, it only got better. We ordered the sampler platter which was amazing for 7.95. There were heaping portions of onion rings and beer battered mushrooms, deliciuos hand battered chicken tenders and mozzerella sticks. The bartender made fun of the fact that I was an Eagles fan but it made us feel welcome. The whole bar was social. And the bartender gave me a cookie. By the end of the night, we had made a few friends and for dinner had pretty good pizza: prebacked crust but fresh mozzarella and overall not bad. I know we will be going back for some neighborhood bartalk and football games. I also want to try their burger.

I love going out to restaurants. When I am planning to visit a restaurant I have never been, I will look up to menu online and try to decide what I am going to eat. I do this because I never can decide when I actually have to order.
Every week we go to a bar that has trivia. Their specialty is barbeque, which in this town was a welcome change from the choices of American, Mexican, Chinese or Italian food. Yet, going every week since I moved here I have ran out of ideas of what to eat. This past week I decided to ask Patrick to just bring me something. I didn’t care what it was. What I got was the best quesadilla that they have at Carmody’s West: the beef brisket quesadilla. Delicious. I am wondering if I can get away with this at other places considering I can never make a decision. However, I don’t want to be rude but that quesadilla restored my faith in that place. So question: Is it rude to ask your server to just bring you something? I obviously will not complain and maybe I will try things I would never choose myself.
Complaints are a huge fear in the restaurant business and I have been witness to many next to my table and in an entire room. This evening Joe and I were in a waiter’s hell at Pangaea lounge. There was a table of obvious Bennington college students and parents out for dinner. The parents wanted to order the Delmonico steak but wanted to know what came with it, because the vegetable of the day was, was a matter of the most importance. They were also going to split it. When their food arrived the woman got pissed and bent out of shape because she didn’t get a separate plate. I’m sorry did you ask for one? No! The manager actually comped their steak for this! What the hell! The poor waitress just forgot a plate! What is this world coming too!
Behind us two men sat and at first snapped at the waitress when she asked if they were ready to order: “No, we are not. We would like to sit and enjoy our first drinks and have a relaxing evening.” After hearing this tidbit my eyes almost popped out of my head. The man eventually apologized to the waitress saying the he had a tough week and they were pretty much just fun to listen to for the rest of the evening.
Moral of the story: People are crazy and Joe and I seem to be witness to many of these incidents. Till next time, keep your ears open for dining conversations. They can provide hours of fun!