The suggestion called for a quiet dinner with good food and conversation. As I thought about the possibilities, a place came to mind. It was nearby however I could not remember the new restaurant’s name or the exact address. Frankly, I was not that confident that I had the street right. I knew it was in the area. Other than this and the fact that is was next to a new trendy hangout place, my mind was blank.
In walking the streets on the quest, my confidence in the street grew. As I felt drawn to a particular section of the neighborhood, the obvious question was why? I had no answer, just a “trust me”. As I walked up, everything came to mind – the pictures on the website, my imaginations given the reading and other information, and the name! My hopes were high.
It did not last long. They were fully booked. The earliest time for a sitting was 2 plus hours, well past ten.
“Would it be ok if we sat at the bar in case there was a cancellation between now and ten?”
“Sure, just leave us your name and contact details.”
As we sat at the bar we quickly realized that everything was possible. Great conversations with the staff and people on the left and right followed. Soon a menu was being reviewed with orders for one starter followed by another. Each bite was incredible! Awesome ingredients led to innovative combinations with flavors and textures playing off each other in unexpected celebrations. As the evening progressed the question of being anywhere else vanished.
As I look back at the meal and experience, I realize that everything was exactly as it should have been. What I thought was required, was not really needed. What I could not imagine as possible was reality. It is amazing was happens when one opens one’s self to the unexpected. To Sugarhill, a psalm phase lingers; “The whole earth falls to its knees – it worships you, sings to you, can’t stop enjoying your name and fame.” (Psalm 66.4)
