Bistro Basque - Solo Date Night #2

Due to the V-day weekend and possible crowding of restaurants, I decided to take myself out early. The place I wanted to go to is just up the street from where I work. So after closing up, I meandered my way over....5:30. Nice and early. There are very few people in there and the cozy little bar area is completely unoccupied.

I order a glass of wine and look at the appetizers. Mmmm...tenderloin. (served on toasted baguette with olives and more). The barkeep is a young woman with a wonderful accent (I begin to notice that all the wait staff is speaking french). She politely asks if I am from the area, and I say, "Yes, I work just down the street" (and told her about what I do). Oh! She so says to me, You must have been here plenty of times then! "No," I anwser, "Just once or twice" (meaning once). But why she asks? "Well, because I usally just leave work and go home!".


A couple of men come in, looks like a father and son duo, the son about my age. They order glasses of sherry. Did I mention this is an almost-very fancy French/Spanish restaurant? They chat with the female wait staff like they come here all the time. I'm sure that if I had made eye contact I might have had a conversation, but I avoided that.

The manager arrives. I recognoze him from around town, and I wonder if he recognizes me. He's been into my work before. He looks like he's just gotten out of bed and hasn't showered. Tousled hair. "Bon appetite" he says to me. And "how are you?" Fine thank you, and you? "Tired" he says!

A very spanish looking waiter comes to me and says something in his heavy accent. After clarification, turns out he said to me that his hair is as long as mine. Huh? Looked like he had a shoulder length pony tail. He turns and shows me that his long straight black hair is braided and twisted up. He smiles. "Same length" he says.

I am done with my wine and tenderloin (DEElicious). And the barmaid comes to me with a small glass of liquor "An Invitito" she says. What???? "An invite for conversation" OMG, I am thinking...WHO????? I catch the manager's eye. "We give this everyone as thanks" she (the bar maid) says. Ah, ok. Whew!

The restaurant is getting busier. It is time for me to go. Now, my mother gave me a recommendation about going out solo - bring a journal to occupy yourself. Since I don't keep a journal, I brought my sketchbook for my jewelry. Kept it in my purse for back-up but had to take it out as I put away my wallet and started with my coat. "Ahhhh...skwetchbuk?" This is the manager with his heavy Basque accent. "Whaaat are yu skwetching?" Um...nothing...I have ideas in here...he looks to me to elaborate..."But nothing else came to me". He points to to the succulent arrangement on the edge of the bar - "Whaat abouut thees?". Did I mention he has captivating blue eyes? I have my coat on and am next to the door. I say thank you and bolt!

Summary? I liked it when it was not crowded. Staff was friendly. Next time I won't avoid making eye contact with people.