Barroom Savvy
My teen daughter and I braved Chicago traffic to have lunch at one particular restaurant my mom raves about. Who knew getting into downtown on a Saturday afternoon would be so bumper-to-bumper hard? Not to mention, our GPS unit was on the fritz.
By the time we got to the restaurant, there were just 45 minutes before we needed to head to the airport.
The restaurant had an hour wait.
“You can try the bar,” the hostess said.
The bar was beyond packed with patrons eating lunch. Several couples stood lurking, waiting for seats to open up.
“I guess we’ll have to eat someplace else,” my daughter said.
“No, we came all this way,” I said. “Besides, Grandma loves this place. We’re eating here.”
My daughter rolled her eyes, clearly thinking I’m crazy. She excused herself to use the restroom.
“I’ll get us a seat,” I said.
My daughter made a face. Yeah right.
She went off to the restroom, and I cased the bar from one end to the other. There were two dozen people sitting at the bar itself, and another three dozen at tables. One couple looked like they were finishing up, ready to pay their bill. They might leave in another ten minutes. I positioned myself near their table.
Two other couples edged in close, just as ready to pounce.
Then I noticed the hostess come in and make a bee-line for a couple at the bar. “Your table is ready,” she quietly said.
Bingo.
I grabbed their seats before anyone else even noticed they were vacant. I sat and ordered two sodas, and waited for my daughter. I figured we needed to place our lunch order, pronto. How long could she possibly take in the restroom?
A few minutes later, my cell phone rang. It was my daughter.
“Where are you?” she asked.
“I’m sitting at the bar,” I said. “Where are you?”
“Oh, I’m outside. I figured we had to eat someplace else. How are you at the bar?”
“I said I’d get us seats, and I did.”
Clearly, my daughter hasn’t seen her old man in action nearly enough. Welcome to barroom savvy.
- Cool Parent Points
- Parenting is a Contact Sport
- Single Parent Vacation Travel With Kids
- A Single Dad Watches His Daughter
- Vacation Food Pyramid
- How to Pick-Up a Woman in Front of Your Son
| 
Subscribe | © 2008-2010 David Mott, DadsHouseBlog.com. All rights reserved.
Comment by Sandy
| July 13th, 2009
My husband is a champ at finding seats at the bar….sometimes makes me uncomfortable ’cause he looks like a vulture. But I’m always happy when he finds me a seat.
Sandy´s last blog ..Adventures in Florence
Comment by Alicia
| July 13th, 2009
Heehehe – good one! Yes, unfortunately, I am the vulture in restaurants too. When there are really long waits and I see a table that is clearly finished with their meals and is all paid up and just sitting there lingering and making idle chat, I stand right next to them and give them disapproving stares. The second the last person stands halfway up, I grab the table and call for a busser! Ha!
Alicia´s last blog ..Are You Living with Your Ex?
Comment by krn
| July 13th, 2009
I’d tell you to wait your turn like everybody else, Dad’s, except you were willing to snag a bar seat, had a flight to catch and wellll, eating at Grandma’s Chicago pick sounds memorable. Was it? What’d ya’ have?
Love, love the Windy City! Has HouseDaughter made a college pick for sure yet? Sounds like you’ll have to visit often as you seem very close to one another. :) You have me all excited about the boy’s college visits and we still have nine years until then!
Enjoy~
Comment by Eathan
| July 13th, 2009
I stalk parking spaces near the door like you stalk seats.
Since I grew up in the Chicagoland area.. I’m jealous of you right now. I love going there for a short visit. Great city!
Eathan´s last blog ..When Swirl Goes Bad
Comment by Barry
| July 13th, 2009
Thanks for scoring one for the parents. Nice to show her that “cool” and “savy” doesn’t die with the job as parent!
Comment by jason
| July 13th, 2009
dad,
what was the place? as a long time chicago resident, i’d love to know??
-jason
Comment by T
| July 13th, 2009
I too LOVE Chicago!
And what fun. I love that you showed her to never doubt her daddy.
:)
T´s last blog ..A Lovers’ Retreat
Comment by staciesmadness
| July 13th, 2009
you are swift!
staciesmadness´s last blog ..Not Me Monday
Comment by The Exception
| July 13th, 2009
Awesome!! Kids really need to learn to trust their parents!! I can see my daughter pulling this – It is awesome you found those seats!!
Welcome back!
The Exception´s last blog ..Super Mom Has Returned
Comment by dadshouse
| July 13th, 2009
Jason – it was Rick Bayless’ Frontera Grill. Well worth the visit. http://www.fronterakitchens.com/restaurants/restaurants.html
Comment by Queen Lindsay
| July 13th, 2009
Oh little one with wee faith, or however that sayin goes!
Comment by Paula
| July 14th, 2009
My husband hates to wait, thus, we almost always sit at, and eat at, the bar. Quick service, no frills.
Paula´s last blog ..Planning a Dinner Party
Comment by QTMama
| July 14th, 2009
Heehehe, I can’t see your daughter having those doubts again DH!
QTMama´s last blog ..Bacon Vs. Flowers
Comment by vinomom
| July 14th, 2009
There’s a reason bars are seat yourself! I am excellent at eyeing people who are ready to leave. It helps to know a waiter or two as well, they will tell you where they are about to drop the check.
Nice job!
Comment by MindyMom
| July 14th, 2009
Angling for a seat at the bar is definitely an aquired skill. I’m not so bad at it myself but it’s great when my date is the one with the skill. I’m sure your daughter was impressed.
MindyMom´s last blog ..The Last Six Days
Comment by tony
| July 14th, 2009
is’nt it great how our kids seem to think just because where parents that we forget how the world works.
with your daughter heading off to school i’m sure it will be no time before she too has developed similar skills in similar settings.
what will dad have to say about that?
Comment by jason
| July 14th, 2009
dad,
Thanks!
Frontera grill is a great place!
yum
Comment by Me Thinks
| July 14th, 2009
I was just in Chicago over the 4th staying and my friend’s amazing place (43rd flr and free parking, score!) less than a block away. On the 2nd day, I went out for a run and discovered Frontera is right around the corner from there place. Unfortunately, they closed for a few days around the 4th. Boo hoo! You’d think I’d know this stuff having lived there myself. Next visit I am going!
Comment by this new place
| July 14th, 2009
this gives me hope that my kids will one day think I am cool, or really good at something, even if it’s getting seats.