Experience Number two (PM) from the DC expedition: lunch and a
lesson..(and, maybe some unavoidable comments on the Olympics)
A bit of delay occurred between “experience” one and two,
caused by a Friday visit to the dermatologist surgeon to have yet another “thing”
removed. This one (of many) was particularly
unpleasant since it was on my lip. The
visage of the Feeder and his condition are left to the fertile imagination of
the reader..(there is a selfie that will remain buried)
Back to business: As
you recall, Experience One was our morning visit to the Police Memorial and
ended with a slightly damp Feeder (In his DFL clothes, sans tie) meeting MFO in
the flutter mobile on the curb and then proceeding to the Hay Adams Hotel for
lunch. As you might again recall, we had
lunch there in October of 2010 (I just looked it up) and had a wonderful
experience, and were looking forward to a repeat. Again our navigation was flawless and we got to
the Hotel with no untoward side trips or narrow escapes. We had inquired as to whether or not the
Hotel offered valet parking and the answer was yes, with a fee of $28
attached. You may utter a expletive here (as did we) but
given our experience with (lack of) parking at the Memorial, and the thought of
walking after a lunch including a glass of wine, it isn’t so bad. As a matter of fact, the price of almost
anything from here on out wasn’t a factor.
LWISTBR* as FOJTE is fond of saying.
So we pulled up under the portico of the Hotel, and immediately two
gentlemen came and opened my door as well as (Driver) MFO with a “Welcome to
the Hay Adams”. We told them we were
here for lunch and would like to have valet parking. Of course, sir. Whereupon he went over to the other side of
the car, opened the rear door, got my coat off the hangar, brought it around,
helped me into it, and after I asked, gave me directions to the men’s room to don
my neck-ware. And when I asked about
payment, he said “Oh, twenty is fine”.
Lovely..
So we went into the lobby with another greeting by the
footmen in the lobby, and one led me to the men’s room where I affixed my
tie. So, finally (cooled off and) DFL, we approached the
stairs to the Lafayette Room where lunch is served. We told the hostess at the top of the stairs
who we were, and although it was only one o’clock (reservation at half past),
could we be seated? Given that the
restaurant was empty behind her, we were not surprised that with a smile she
said: Oh, I think we can fit you in. We
were led to one of the kind of alcoves in the room which breaks it up, and offered a window table overlooking the
quiet street in front of the hotel.
Lovely. Next to our table was the
only other occupied table, a table of seven or eight of varying ages, all nicely dressed . At one point we overheard: “I’ll call the
ambassador in the morning”. Power
people indeed!
We were given a lovely basket of bread of varying types, and the crystal water
glasses filled.
Meanwhile, the (apparently) only server in the room was tending to the “power table” next to us, asking about cappuccino’s, coffees, and so on. Apparently they were regulars
as they seemed to be familiar with the server.
While we enjoyed the bread and relaxed with the water, the server did not
approach our table until we were seated for eight minutes. (Yes, I am sick, I timed it). It was a long time, especially because I wanted
a drink! Eight minutes seemed like a
long time, since he was within four feet of us several times serving coffees to
the other table. More about this later.
Well, he eventually asked about drinks, and I asked if they
had Plymouth Gin.. he didn’t know, but he would go check with the bartender and
left the wine list with MFO. Server
returned with the information that they did not have Plymouth Gin (I won’t
remount my soap box here), but did have Hendrick’s. The wine list was interesting with some unusual selections.
MFO selected the 2014 Hubert Brochard Sancerre, and once again I settled for the Hendrick's Martini. Maybe I will have to start carrying a flask! Both
arrived to an internal welcome!
As an aside, the size of the Martini is not exaggerated by the
camera, it was very generous. Nuff
said.
With our thirst slaked and our temperament
improved, we turned to considering food.
The menu had several tempting dishes (Seafood Boudin Blanc; Maine
Lobster Sandwich; Pan Seared Arctic Char…), plus our server told us about a special
of a Seafood Fricasee of scallops, shrimp, clams and Red Snapper. MFO selected a Marcona Almond Gaspacho for her
starter and Pistachio Crusted Diver Scallops in a Saffron sauce, and I had a
chicken crab soup and the Fricassee (an unusual offering). I also selected a TR Eliott 2013 Pinot as I finally
finished the Martini.
With the “power table” gone, we received attentive and
considerate service for the rest of the meal.
Our food was delicious, here is the Fricassee - gorgeous, look at that!
We did go for dessert, a chocolate Crème Brûlée with two
spoons
Which we didn’t much care for
Ha ha…
Another great experience, although I would be less than
candid if I said I would forget the “eight minutes”. It
is nice to know there are havens of gracious service, good food, in relaxed elegant
surroundings. It was a quite expensive (three figure) lunch, but worth it…
And speaking of the “eight minutes”, I spoke with one of my
restaurateur friends who has visited the HA hotel several times, and agrees
with my appreciation of the place. I was
provided some perspective on our experience from the "back of the room/manager" point of view.
It all once again is rooted in the basic “it’s a business” reminder. With one server in the area, he had to choose
between a table of eight which included regulars, and probably people who visit
weekly, or an unknown two top. You figure
out where you would direct your main effort.
I will admit I think a “welcome folks, I’ll be right with you” would have
gone a long way to help me, but I sort of understand.
When we left, our (already cooled off) car was waiting for us, we climbed in and
headed back to SOMD, concluding a journey of a harrowing morning followed by a
lovely meal for which we were elegantly
DFL
DFL
Sports footnote: I was
going to rant on the Olympics, but don’t want to change the tone to
hostility. Suffice to say, there are times when I am not
glad to be a USA citizen…
*LWISTBR = Living Well
Is Still The Best Revenge
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