Three Restaurants, Two Daves, and One Sleeping Baby

One of the cornerstones in my relationship with Fehmeen is our mutual love of eating in restaurants. To us, nothing is quite as satisfying as sitting down to a delectable meal prepared by and served by someone other than ourselves. Our near insatiable appetites for restaurant food reached an all-time high (or was it an all-time low) the times we would routinely follow up a grueling hour long abs class workout with an ordered meal from our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Needless to say, our gastronomically obsessive behavior has changed for the better in the past year; credit having a baby AND having a progressive disease that limits one’s mobility for that. While we eat at home with alarming (for us) frequency these days, we still enjoy grabbing the occasional bite to eat out somewhere.

In fact, such was the case a few weeks ago when Fehmeen and I went to dinner at three new (to us) restaurants over a four day span. It is my intention over the course of this posting to provide you with as much lowdown about these three culinary establishments as I can.

Now, before I bid you bon appetit, it is essential at this juncture that I clue you in to the identity of the guy named Dave from the title. The mysterious Dave is none other than San Carlos real estate magnate and all around pinnacle of the community Dave Blewett. If you’re asking why you need to know that, it’ll come up later and you’ll be glad I told you, trust me. Bon apetit.

Restaurant: The Van’s Restaurant on the Hill

Location: Belmont, CA on El Camino Real

Atmosphere: Judging by the style of dress and the median age of the customers on this particular evening, I had this joint pegged as an old school, high class restaurant with a spectacular view. The prices on the extensive menu further confirmed my assertions.

Who Was at Our Table: Rob, Melissa, Fehmeen, and me

What Was on my Plate for Dinner: Without hesitation, I ordered (and demolished) the three quarter pound prime rib dinner with mashed potatoes and a side of creamed corn. I even saved a little room for a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. Apparently having ALS hasn’t affected my appetite.

Comfortable Spot for Emma to Sleep: Not applicable (Emma was home with Grandma)

Number of Coinci-Daves: Up to 200 big ones. As a reward for choosing him as our realtor, Dave Blewett graciously bestowed upon us a gift certificate to Van’s worth up to $200 (fresh squeezed orange juice not included). See, I told you he was a good guy.

Overall Dining Experience: a solid B

Restaurant: Roti Indian Bistro

Location: San Francisco, CA on West Portal

Atmosphere: Even though it was an early Sunday evening, there was not an empty table to be found in the somewhat small but extremely hip/trendy place to be. Tastefully appointed and impeccably decorated, this happening West Portal hot spot is an establishment in which to see and be seen (at least in the Sunset).

Who Was at Our Table(s): Actually, it would be simpler to list who wasn’t at our two tables but here goes. Alia, Iqbal, Maheen, Papa, Brenda, Rustam, Fehmeen, Emma, and me.

What Was on My Plate for Dinner: Being the sole white boy in an ethnic family, Indian food is a relatively new experience for me so if I skimp on the details or outright forget things, I apologize in advance. I recall eating naan bread with goat cheese, spicy ass chicken, beef and lamb kabobs, rice, and some of the most delicious Mitchell’s ice cream I’ve ever had.

Comfortable Spot for Emma to Sleep: Despite the loud and crowded nature of the restaurant, Emma was so exhausted and tired that Fehmeen and Maheen placed The Bug right on the cushioned bench between them and let her sleep for about forty minutes.

Number of Coinci-Daves: None but we did have to explain Dave’s Van’s payment situation more than once to Alia. In her defense, it was noisy in there and Alia’s ankle was a bit sore. Haaaaaaaaaaaa!

Overall Dining Experience: A——

Restaurant: Town

Location: San Carlos, CA on Laurel Ave

Atmosphere: Absolutely jam-packed on a Monday night at 8 pm, Town is the epitome of nouveau swanky steak/chop houses. Classy to the nth degree, this place is the shit. Pardon my French.

Who Was at Our Table: Adam (birthday boy), Sarah, Fehmeen, and me

What Was on My Plate for Dinner: New York steak, garlic mashed potatoes, creamed corn, and a few spoonfuls of a hot fudge sundae. What can I say, I like what I like.

Comfortable Spot for Emma to Sleep: At home with Grandma, again.

Number of Coinci-Daves: As we were being seated in our booth, I happened to glance at two small plaques located at the base of the table. They read something to the effect of: Dave Blewett donated some cash for some cause and here’s the plaque stating such. Again, I told you he was a good guy.

Overall Dining Experience: A-

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