The Discussion...
I looked up from the menu. The tall woman in a black jacket and fitted jeans had just voiced her opinion to the Host. She was obviously frustrated with his dismissive reply to her question. It was Friday night, and Maison Boulud was packed. I sat in a chair at a table for two.
I display no tragic elegance when I walk the streets of this city alone. I might share the day's revelations with no one. But, without fail, there is always a table for me; a smiling waitress with a plate. That private banquet is my consort and solace. And occasionally, I get lucky.
I thought for less than a second before I stood up and approached. She turned as I spoke.
The Invitation...
"Hello. My name is Paul. My table has an empty chair, if you don't mind sharing dull company and mindless chatter."
Her blue eyes widened as she flashed a smile and laughed, "Really? That's so nice of you. My name is Natalie."
I led the way. Marc-Andre, our Host, nodded with a quiet smile.
My Guest...
I was happy to share my space with Natalie. And Natalie seemed delighted. "I'm starving," she confessed, her smile stretching ear to ear. Our waiter came by with an aged Merlot, filled our glasses, and we toasted to new friendships. Natalie was from Toronto, thinking of moving to Montreal with the incentive of a promotion that she hadn't yet accepted. Our conversation flowed as easily as the wine.
And then the faintest hint of wizardry from that chef in the kitchen began to tickle our nostrils. Our waiter approached with plates in both hands.
The Feast...
To start, crisp romaine lettuce in an apple cider emulsion with caramelized pistachios. Soup, was butternut squash infused with a faint splash of maple syrup. Next, a glazed duck thigh with rich mushroom sauce and a cluster of tiny roasted potatoes. Then, spicy minced chicken wrapped in delicate puffs of pastry. Between each dish, they served us entremets of lemon sorbet.
Natalie and I both helplessly groaned as we were offered the dessert menu. I looked at her and laughed. "Can we make the room?"
That Song...
We agreed to share a slice of the Black Forest cake that had called out our names. Coffee was served with a digestif: flaming sambuca with three tiny beans floating in the blaze. As the night lengthened, we lingered with fine cognac... and casual chatter. A nearby fireplace bathed the room with warmly scented orange shadows. Neither of us wanted to move, but when Sinatra ordered "One for the road..." we smiled and realized it might be our time.
The Walk...
Natalie would not let me pay, no matter how much I protested. She claimed a plausible cause when she looked at me and laughed. "Paul, I never get a chance to use this damn card."
Brisk autumn air greeted us as we stepped into the night. As I slowly walked Natalie back to her hotel, she nestled her arm comfortably under mine and huddled closer. Her alluring perfume instantly tempted my imagination. I inhaled her scent.
A Lobby...
At this point in my story, you might expect us to be walking out of the elevator and into her bedroom. But that's not how things played out. As we entered the hotel lobby, I asked Natalie a question.
"So, are you going to take this job in Montreal?"
"I'm giving it serious thought. I used to have a partner back in Toronto. Nothing is keeping me there now..." her voice trailed off. I knew what she meant and could sense her loneliness. Perhaps she'd find what she was looking for in this town.
Our Secret...
Natalie and I hugged — a tight squeeze with a tender sway — and that promise to keep in touch. But I knew she was far too busy for that. We both understood we had shared a coincidence. We'd enjoyed a fabulous meal and the invigorating comfort of laughter next to a crackling fire while Frank sang us love songs.
And for an evening, we traded revelations... with someone other than a mirror.
Street food, cafe, or five-star?
Would you accept an invitation from a stranger's table or pass?
... a couple in another room of that hotel...
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14 comments
LOVE the GRIP!!!
So do I.🔥
@Paulxx001
Have an AWESOME Day my FRIEND!!
Most of my restaurant visits are to mid range places (there is no cheap place to go out to eat these days). One of my friend groups tries to go out together once a month and hit small ethnic restaurants. It’s a good feeling to give them some business and we often get to have a convo with the owner.
I’m also in a meetup group that goes out to eat together and they occasionally go to the high end places…I don’t usually join in on those outings. Paying $100 plus for a meal - I can’t help thinking that I’d rather spend that on a massage. 😊 Or fancy yarn.
I don't/can't do three digit meals regularly.
But there are a wide cluster of smaller devoted and casual places, that reelee try hard. I hit them up — they're good at what they do.
Over here, in the West Island, there are a ton of spots like that.
I'm searching for a financially independant foodie to join me. If you know of any, forward her CV. 💕
Interesting story and experience, I almost feel like I’m sitting there at the table with you! Although I must confess, even living in France most of the year, I’m not a fan of “canardâ€, and even less so if there’s chicken afterward… too much bird on the menu 😄. As for the hotel, I’m surprised she didn’t invite you ‘for a drink’ in his room; that would have been a nice gesture… though your mistake was letting her pay for dinner, otherwise she would have felt obliged to reciprocate your kindness with that “last drink†😉
By he way, if the man is attractive and polite I would accepted his invitation to share the table, why not?
Two birds on the same menu? They were completely different in flavour. I never thought of that. Lol... 😂
She might have been a touch too "millennial" for me. We parted as friends. 🤗
I suppose it depends on if his smile goes all the way up to his eyes.
That's a good rule to follow.
Some places here (specialty foods) give you a choice to sit at a table with a stranger, or wait in line for another half-hour. I eat with strangers. It's a blast.😂
@Paulxx001 What a great way to meet people. I'll bet it can be a blast. The closest thing to that I've had was on the Scotland trip. Rather than have our group sit in a separate area when we went to taverns, we almost always just blended in with people that had room at their tables. It was really nice.
I am of the cafe persuasion. Would I accept his offer? If a Robert Redford ( bless his soul) lookalike, hell yes. If Charles Manson (no blessing his soul) look alike, oh hell no. And I would love to be the type to offer to a man but, my confidence level is not that high. You seem to be the suave type
I would not say sauve: calm, and poised; and always with something interesting to share. OK. Most of the time. Lol... 😂
It's happened to me a few times where I've shared my table. I judge people by the width of their smile: those are always fun. I can't see yours, but I'm guessing it's a wide one. 🤗
Yes, bless his soul. He made some memorable flicks.
@Paulxx001 I wrote my answer before seeing this comment...I felt a need to defend my originality. Lol.
@MyNameIsKay
No worries. Lol... 😂
I think we ALL look for a person's wide smile. ðŸ˜
To answer your first question ... you don't put a 5 star meal into a 3 star stomach. I do not have a refined palate.
As for the empty chair ... If I were sitting alone in a crowded restaurant, I would not offer the extra chair to another diner, though if asked to share, I would agree. If I were the one entering, I would most likely leave and find somewhere else to eat ... probably a cafe or some street food. But ...
... a 5 star restaurant on a Fri night? I'd have a reservation.
Reservations are fun.
Taking a "singles" chance is also fun.
I think I've had some really good "five-star" meals that were three-star deals. I look for spots with a small menu. They usually do a better-than-average job of it.
Although that meal was very good, I will not hustle back. I'd heard so much about that place, I had to try it.🤗
I love that 🤤🤤
A careful approach... ðŸ‘
@Paulxx001 street food or cafe good... invitation like this it's really hard to accept it.. except you're sure from inviting
Sharing a meal lies at the core of human closeness. Throughout history, food has been a tool of seduction, and the dinner date is the perfect stage for romance to blossom — along with stolen kisses and playful glances.
@mufdiver69er2
Well, at least you know she has a sense of humour and can handle a drink... or two.😲
@mufdiver69er2
I've met women like that.
They actually scared me... for a second or two. 😲😂