A New Place
There's something about sharing a new experience that seems exciting.
We walked out of a boutique with no dress to show for the hour we had just spent shopping. I needed something to wear to a family wedding next month. My husband came along so we could have lunch together afterwards.
The boutique is on a quaint street lined with flowers that always match the season and everyone looks happy, except for a crying baby or two. The idyllic street was straight out of a Hallmark movie.
How can you not be happy walking down this street, I thought. There was a candy store with old-fashioned favorites, a local donut shop that bakes oversized donuts big enough to cut in thirds and share with friends, and a cute knitting shop that offers lessons for all levels.
The cheese shop offers free cheese and cracker samples, the wine shop features tastings of whichever wine they’re promoting at the moment, the Italian market feels like you just stepped off a plane in Italy, and the restaurants' meals taste homemade.
We thought about going to our favorite cafe on the block. It’s always good and the menu works given my food allergies. But the menu rarely changes, except for a few seasonal specials.
If I’m being honest, I’m bored of our go-to restaurants. I know I won’t leave hungry, but there’s something about sharing a new experience that seems exciting. Even if it’s just trying a new place to eat with your significant other.
My husband must have been reading my mind. He was craving something different, he told me as we continued to walk down the block. He didn’t know what he wanted to eat, but he said he wanted to try a new place.
I started to get a bit anxious. It’s just that I’ve been to places where I stare at the menu and can’t find anything allergy-friendly to eat except for a salad. A couple of cucumbers, one piece of red onion, and romaine lettuce on a tiny plate that looked like it was left over from yesterday’s dinner party. And I was really hungry after shopping.
We wandered off the quaint street to a busy main road where cars sped by honking their horns. My husband spotted a restaurant across the street that looked nice. We took out our phones and searched for the menu to see if it was allergy-friendly.
The menu checked out, but I was cautiously optimistic.
We barely made it across the street without getting honked at by the speeding cars. The restaurant was cozy with one family-style table in the middle and a few smaller tables around it. The walls were a playful shade of orange and the bright atmosphere seemed fun.
I went straight to the front counter and spoke to the woman behind it. She was busy chopping carrots, onions, and other vegetables. Behind her were juice machines where they made fresh orange and vegetable juices.
This is my kind of place, I thought.
After talking to the woman, I learned that all the food was made with fresh ingredients. She assured me that my fish allergy wouldn’t be a problem, the tortillas were gluten-free, and there was no butter in the rice.
My husband ordered three tacos – chicken, pork and beef. I ordered the grilled chicken leg and thigh that was moist and crispy. Both of our plates came with salad, rice, pico de gallo, a small bowl of beans, tortillas and a couple of salsas to try.
The food couldn’t have been more delicious. We took the leftovers home to have for dinner.
“Thanks for being adventurous,” my husband said.
He enjoyed his meal and was already planning his next visit to the restaurant. I’m glad his craving for something different was satisfied. And I was happy I didn’t have to eat a soggy salad for lunch.
Enjoyed this? Read a quick story about stepping outside your comfort zone to make a new friend:
Anna
