Las Margaritas − 21 March, 2007
I have one absolute favorite restaurant: Las Margaritas, Gainesville, FL.
My wife came back into town for a visit this day. (She's on a two month detail to Washington, D.C.). I drove up to Jacksonville Airport to pick her up. We drove all the way back to town -- around 2 hours -- just to have dinner at Las Margaritas.
It turned out to be one of the most romantic nights ever.
What helped were the Mariachis.
On Wednesday night, there is a Mariachi band. Well, they occasionally come by the tables and take requests. I called them over, put in a fairly substantial tip (musician to musician -- you have to make up for the bozos that don't tip), and requested that they play something romantic, because my wife had just returned to town after a three week absence.
Well, they really put their hearts into it.
There was one point where they were standing around our table, playing, and my wife looked at me and said, "I feel like we're the only people in this room."
It was true. The restaurant was packed -- it always is, because this is a GREAT place to eat -- but somehow, it seemed like we had our own private universe.
Ah, the power of music.
My wife came back into town for a visit this day. (She's on a two month detail to Washington, D.C.). I drove up to Jacksonville Airport to pick her up. We drove all the way back to town -- around 2 hours -- just to have dinner at Las Margaritas.
It turned out to be one of the most romantic nights ever.
What helped were the Mariachis.
On Wednesday night, there is a Mariachi band. Well, they occasionally come by the tables and take requests. I called them over, put in a fairly substantial tip (musician to musician -- you have to make up for the bozos that don't tip), and requested that they play something romantic, because my wife had just returned to town after a three week absence.
Well, they really put their hearts into it.
There was one point where they were standing around our table, playing, and my wife looked at me and said, "I feel like we're the only people in this room."
It was true. The restaurant was packed -- it always is, because this is a GREAT place to eat -- but somehow, it seemed like we had our own private universe.
Ah, the power of music.
Comments:
kga245 (March 23, 2007. 04:03am)
I always feel awkward when the Mariachis start playing in front of our table. I have a weird Midwestern skepticism about it. I immediately avoid eye contact and what runs through my mind is "they're busking for tips. Don't give them any money and they will go away." I have nothing to fear but I do anyway. You've given me confidence to chill and enjoy the moment now. :-)
bmccosar (March 23, 2007. 09:52am)
Well, a useful exercise is to imagine you were in their place. Performing is a demanding task. How many times do you reckon these talented musicians had to play "happy birthday" that night? I think they responded to the fact that I gave them the freedom to choose something from their repertoire that they did well -- and that I treated them with respect. The result was a beautiful evening.