I ate at Murray Circle. Everything was absolutely delicious. What was meant to be a casual dinner turned into a formal one. Fancy vests worn by the front-of-house staff and all. It's places like these that actually make me respect the restaurant industry, and give other restaurants a run for their money. My friend is a sous chef at Murray Circle, so I knew that it was going to be good. Except, I didn't know it was going to be that good. According to Yelp, my restaurant in better than this one. In reality, my restaurant doesn't even come close and the common folk obviously have no idea what they're talking about. Yelp elite? More like Yelp Elitist. I can't tell you apart from my mohawked-regular who spends $80 on himself every night he comes in. Please, you ain't that special. Until Yelp makes little pins that you can wear on your collar to signal me that your opinion matters, I can really care less.
Back to the point. Everyone in the restaurant industry knows that when an employee comes in as a guest, they are to be treated with the utmost respect. This place was on an entirely different level. Either that or I've just never been exposed to such impeccable service. Actually, I never have been exposed to it. We could have had horrible service and I probably still would have thought it was great.
I love being showed something new by people who enjoy being there. Also, I love a place that has some history behind it. Murray Circle is located in Sausalito where Fort Baker used to be a fully functioning military base. The buildings were formally used as offices and barracks, and the roads are where physical training used to commence. Since it is a historical landmark it is federally owned and the state requires that the interior and exterior to remain original condition. Let's just say that all of this modernizing happening around us can only make us appreciate what we have left of the past. It was gorgeous.
As we were being guided to our table I saw a former coworker of mine. Small world, right? The lucky girl has been working there since the restaurant opened. Let's just say that she took a giant step up from where we were at three years ago. Me? I have remained stagnant in my career. Yes, I am extremely envious. She says, "well, aren't you two going to have a nice time tonight". A wink may have followed that little comment. Awkward 'cause I didn't think I was on a date nor do I think I'm allowed to go on any at this point. Anyway, what was supposed to be a casual dinner between two young professionals to discuss future business plans could have been easily mistaken as a romantic affair. I mean, the table was gorgeous. It was a cute little table with banquette seating in between two big windows that revealed the beauty of Fort Baker. So, when I sat down I will say I felt a little weird. If I saw two people who stuck out like sore thumbs in a restaurant like that I would definitely think something fishy was going on. I mean, my hair has three different colors in it and I was wearing a fashionably loud cheetah print blouse. How am I not supposed to feel a little off? The four-top sitting adjacent to us were wearing opera appropriate clothing. I'm sure that's just how they dress on the daily. *Shrug*
You know how you occasionally go out to an overpriced dinner with a group of friends? I mean, usually you go because all of your friends are going and you feel like you owe it to them so you're willing to front the money. This is not one of those restaurants to go to with your friends. Murray Circle is a restaurant that you go to when you have a career. Like, a real one where you're entitled to your own business card. Oh, how I long for one of those. C'mon Berkeley degree, show me the money! In this case, I am thankful to have such a talented friend who can expose me to such culinary greatness.
We had an eight course meal. All of which were paired with a new glass of wine. Our dinner menus were printed just for us. While mine said "Chef's Tasting Menu", his said "Ninja's Tasting Menu". Take a look at the website and let me know if you find the Ninja...think 'Asian'. Too bad for me my 115lb body couldn't handle all of that alcohol, so after about the third glass our server announced that he would pour lighter. God bless his soul. Thank you. The portions were of reasonable size for any normal person. For me, it was almost like eating eight meals all in one sitting-- minus the two bathroom breaks to relieve my child-size *ahem*. Every plate was meticulously put together as little pieces of...art. Morsels of tasty goodness. Along with every glass that was poured and every dish that was presented our server confidently described to us its origin and expected taste, respectively. I mean, usually when you go out you read the description beneath the item on the menu. It's kind of ironic that us blue collared folk gotta read what we're about to eat, while these white collared professionals are essentially being read to. And our country places so much emphasis on literacy. Interesting. It's funny to see how the tables have turned. We were able to taste things that aren't even offered on their regular menu. Things that he hasn't even had before. Ugh, mad salivation happening in my mouth right now...if you watch The Office, I know what you're thinking...*insert inappropriate comment here*. And, you know you're being well-taken care of when the chef comes out to your table to see how you're doing. At my current employer, the chef doesn't want anyone to know that they're even there. Even when people ask to speak to the chef, I'm required to say that they're not in. Wtf is up with that? I have no idea.Disclaimer: Hey boys out there! If you are really looking to woo a girl, listen and learn. There is nothing more romantic than taking a girl out to a nice dinner, eight courses or not. The gesture speaks volumes, I promise.
What's funny about places like this is that I have to let my savage-like behavior go. I can't eat with a spoon in one hand and a fork in the other...you Filipino folks know what I'm talking about. I tried my best to keep my fork pointed down, but I didn't practice beforehand so it was hard. Seriously, I had to think about how I would hold things before actually doing so. C'mon, haven't you seen Borat? I literally thought to myself, "damn, I wish I actually read and remembered all the things that I learned in Sociological Theory on etiquette. I could really use that right now." Instead, I had to wing it. I felt better knowing that my friend is from Vallejo. You can take the person out of the hood, but you can't take the hood out the person. Did you know that there's a right way to eat soup? Who would've known, right? The only reason why etiquette exists is to distinguish classes by the mannerisms people use around the table. You can pay to take etiquette classes. Meaning, you can buy class? *Eyebrow raise*
All-in-all, this is going to be an experience I will tell everyone who crosses my path for about the next two weeks or so. It was marvelous. Our desserts weren't even listed. It said a "plethora of desserts". Meaning, 'it doesn't matter what we have planned for your dessert you're going to love it anyway'. Definitely true.
As for the intended discussion on business, we never really got to it. What I was most pleased with was the great company that I had over a delicious meal.
One of my trips to the restroom an older woman sparked a short conversation with me as we were both washing our hands. She said, "What course are you on?"
"Our fourth," I smiled.
"We just finished our dinner. This is my first time here."
"Me, too."
She looks at me through the mirror and says, "I don't exactly know how to explain how I'm feeling right now. But, I think I feel sated. I never use that word, but that's probably the best way to express it." You know a place is legit when you got people using words out of their every day vocabulary.
I giggled and dried my hands with a hand towel (No paper towels at this place. Real towels!) "Have a nice evening." After I said that I cringed. I said something that I would to a customer at work.
At the end of our night I was given a tour of the kitchen. This kitchen was by far the best looking kitchen I've ever seen. Every restaurant that I've ever worked at looks worn down and neglected. There was even a separate kitchen where they teach private classes! Lucky me. I got to see behind the scenes.
Anyhow, this was our first dinner for the many dinners to come. We plan on hosting an event within the coming month, and I will be taking care of the event planning. Interested? You should be. Stay tuned, shoot me an email because I can promise you that my friend has some palatable marvelousness in mind...see, a word out of my normal vocabulary. Ok, maybe not. I love fabulous words like that. If you want to have a taste of what I had last night, you should really consider keeping in contact with me...that's what she said.
No comments:
Post a Comment