Fancy Restaurant Part 1

Okay, so I'm feeling a little bit better, so I think I can finally post that Kids and Fancy Restaurants story from a week or two ago. But before I do, I wanted to share this story of when Amel and I celebrated our 9th anniversary in San Francisco.

We stayed at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel near Union Square. This was such an ideal location because we were smack dab in the middle of everthing. There literally was not a dull moment.

Anyway, Saturday night, we wanted to have a special anniversary dinner. So, after being told that this was THE restaurant to go to by several people, Amel and I decided to go to Crustacean. Mmmm...my mouth is watering as I think about this place. If you've never been there before, this is an asian/european fusion cuisine restaurant and they are known for their roasted crab and their very delicious garlic noodles. Since this restaurant was only half a mile from Union Square, and we had been walking around all weekend anyway, we decided to ditch the car and just walk there.

BAD IDEA. The earliest reservation available was 8:45pm. Since we wanted to take our time, we left our hotel at 7:30pm. And you know it's really dark at that time of year. So, we leave Union Square and it's fine for the first few blocks, but then we notice that it's a little bit darker and there are hardly any people and there are questionable items in the storefront windows. And you know that feeling you get when you're being followed? Well, I had that feeling for a couple of blocks and I'm trying to drag Amel along to walk faster, but he doesn't. In fact, I think he's walking a little bit slower. Why?!? Doesn't he know that I've watched a few episodes of Dateline and how one of my fears is to end up being on that show? Many prayers for safety were said during that short walk.

A few blocks later, someone passes us up, and I'm at ease once again. We arrive at the restaurant by 8pm and are seated immediately to one of the best dinners I've ever had in my life. I had their Shrimp ravioli and their fried banana with ice cream for dessert. Amel had their lobster with garlic noodles and their chocolate mousse cake for dessert. Afterwards, we decide to take a cab back to our hotel, which only took five minutes and cost less than the valet parking at the restaurant.

Later, I asked Amel why he did what he did, and he tells me that if we really were being followed, it would have been obvious because we were walking so slow and Amel would eventually have turned around and asked the guy if he really were following us. Plus, he was ready for anything. Sounds crazy, right? But I don't doubt that's what he would have done.

GOLDEN NUGGET: Knowing that God's protection was on us, just by the mere fact we weren't mugged that night AND knowing that I can count on my husband's manly instincts.