The Perfect Restaurant

Perfection can be hard to describe, because to do so fully in comparison to other things that might aspire to it means calling attention to shortfalls, and we tend to think of the presence of undesirable conditions rather than their absence. Nonetheless, here goes:

We arrived Thursday because we knew that was tortilla soup day and were seated in a booth, but not right next to the only other two parties dining at this late hour. Of course the place didn't close before its posted hours just because it was a slow night. In addition to the seats being wide and comfortable, both of us had plenty of room between our seat backs and the sturdy table, which was quite clean without being sticky from soap. A placard announced that the restaurant was intending to discontinue chocolate pasta because it wasn't popular enough to keep fresh. We were glad to be put on notice that we should leave room for it after dinner, as this might be the last time we could get it--unless the notice makes others try it so it becomes popular again!

The waiter took our drink order without bringing bread first, which was perfect, as we were going to ask for the hottest bread they were afraid of serving lest customers sue and for the butter or margarine to be soft. This way we didn't have to either accept or reject a lesser offering, and we got it with our drinks. I could tell what a pro our server was as he eyed the soda for sufficient syrup and carbonation, and it arrived without ice as he understood that's what I meant by ordering a frost-free cola (occasionally the long i sound in no ice is recalled as diet).

He smiled knowingly at the toppings we'd brought, realizing that we did so not to save money but due to dietary restrictions against the more conventional items they could bring themselves to maintain. He also allowed us to substitute a side dish for an equal value portion of something totally different, aware that it was good business to give people more ways to enjoy their food.

While it didn't matter tonight, we were glad to note that our cool section would not only be protected from outside glare during the day, but, according to posted signs, was well away from the cellphone section (though I could tell the sign was temporary as I saw a jamming cage sitting along the back wall awaiting installation). I really liked how each table's light could be turned up for solo readers or down to reduce glare. They also included settings for requesting service and for letting them know that you weren't finished in the event you needed to leave your table for a minute.

As our waiter opened an under-counter refigerator across from us, I noticed that its light had been replaced with a softer one, which was appropriate as it was in the line of sight of seated customers. He paused in his sidework to process our payment, making sure our change contained sufficient quarters and singles for us to leave a proper tip. He didn't ask to clear the plates from which we were still nibbling scraps as the establishment was apparently well-stocked enough without having to promptly wash ours.