This week’s Friday confession will be a story. But first, I need to provide a little background information (which in itself is somewhat of a confession). I have a bit of an aversion to big chain restaurants. Don’t get me wrong – I love P.F. Chang’s and Maggiano’s as much as the next person. But when I think of a really special night out, I prefer the idea of a restaurant that you can’t find in all major metropolitan areas. Or at least one that you can’t find at your local shopping mall.
This snooty little quirk of mine comes directly from my father who refused to eat at chain restaurants while I was growing up. If we went out for a casual meal, we’d go to a Chinese food place or maybe Mexican. But we never went anywhere like T.G.I. Friday’s. My brother and I didn’t think much about it – but now looking back, it’s very clear. We never went to chains.
Of course I now eat at family friendly chain restaurants all the time with my kids. But I can’t avoid that obnoxious little voice deep down inside mocking me about it. My husband revels in our patronage of these restaurants simply because he knows all about my secret snobbery. But enough about that – onto my story.
A year or two before the kids came along, we took what was to be our last real vacation together. I had accrued a good number American Airlines miles and hotel points through work travel, and we decided to use some of that for a long weekend in London. Since the dollar was pretty bad – this was never meant to be a luxury trip. We talked about it and agreed that we’d be real tourists and keep everything casual with sightseeing as the priority. Thanks to my freebies we had business class seats on the flight and a room at a great hotel in Trafalgar Square – so that would cover any of our needs for “fancy.” All of our dining would be on the cheap (or cheap-er) and we’d try to find dinner spots with character and atmosphere if not world class chefs.
I could write about so many things we did on that trip, but this isn’t a travelogue. It’s a confession. The confession part doesn’t come in until the Sunday after we arrived though. We arrived on a Friday, and with the exception of a little jet lag, we filled our time with sightseeing and walking. No shopping – but window shopping was allowed. Everything went according to plan until it was time to find a dinner spot. We failed to consider the fact that it was Valentines Day, and that it would be next to impossible to find a table somewhere.
We spent at least an hour wandering around the theater district and beyond, leaving our names at various places and wondering if we should just give up and head over to Piccadilly Circus where one of the tourist traps would surely be cranking out the tables. But that just wasn’t what we had in mind. We didn’t need expensive, but we did want a little atmosphere. So we persevered and finally lucked out when a tiny table became available at a little French place called Cafe Rouge.
It was in fact, exactly what we were looking for. It was casual, but had great food (we both had the beef bourguignon on that freezing cold night) and we were even able to find a good AND inexpensive bottle of wine. Mission accomplished! It was by far the most fun night out we had that weekend. The restaurant was quaint and cozy, and while the wait staff was pleasant enough, they left us alone and let us linger over our coffee as long as we liked. We planned to tell anyone we knew going to London about our find.
I think we went out for Indian food the next night – which was another score. Possibly the best Indian food I ever had. But during the day we tried to just grab quick meals and weren’t too particular. In keeping with our lunch time counter service dining, I wanted to check out the food court at Harrods. I had only been to Harrods once before right after college and didn’t remember it being much more than a big department store, but the guide books raved about the selection of cuisines at the food court. So Sunday, we decided to wander over. One thing we didn’t do was to check Harrods hours. But seriously – what American would ever guess that a major department store would be closed on a Sunday? Typical.
So we were disappointed to find that the food court which had been gaining mythical status as our hunger increased, was not to be on option. And of course there didn’t seem to be all that much else around. In desperation, we circled Harrods in hopes of finding at least one restaurant in close proximity. And we found it! And it was open! And it actually looked rather good. A little French bistro….called Cafe Rouge. Which was funny, because that is the same name of that great little French restaurant we went to the other ni… Oh. It’s chain.
SO we basically had a very special Valentines Day dinner in London at La Madeleine (if La Madeleine had a full bar).
After a few seconds of sheepish side glances at each other, we laughed over what fools we were. Then we raced inside to enjoy another wonderful meal with all of the character and atmosphere we could ask for. And then we vowed to never tell anyone about that wonderful little restaurant, Cafe Rouge – ever. Until now.
love this Kate! xo
Great confession! Tom is also chain-restaurant averse. I am, too, but I won’t admit it.
This is so funny Kate – I can totally imagine you guys upon realizing your fabulous meal was at a chain restaurant. But somehow, being British, it just doesn’t matter. I freely admit I hate most chain restaurants, except the first two you mentioned – love me some maggiano’s raviolis and some changs mongolian beef. mmm….now I’m starving, better go order dinner!
Love it, but that’s the fun of being a tourist! BTW, I am a total food snob, we bring our kids to our favorite restaurants and don’t give it a second thought. My kids have never been to Chili’s or Fridays or Applebee’s or any of them. I’d rather cook (frozen waffles for dinner, anyone?).
Great Story! We *were* anti chain until we moved to Utah. Now we go to chains because we know the service/quality will be great.
Your story really makes me laugh because my parents went to Hawaii several years ago and came home talking about this great restaurant they went to…have you heard of it? It’s called RUBY TUESDAY!
I’m a new reader and this is my first comment, but I had to speak up because I, too, am SO chain restaurant averse. I think it’s because my parents were/are huge, huge chain restaurant fans. Also, when you grow up in small town Oklahoma and there are only local joints in town, you start to think going to Chili’s is a really big deal.
(I have to confess I love La Madeline though.)
One of Matthew’s favorite places for falafel here in New Orleans happens to be a chain. We just don’t talk about it and enjoy the food.
what a cute story! i too try my best to avoid the chain…especially when we have out of town guests. my mission is to prove that there are great local dives even in the midwest to my east coasties! :)
I loved this too and I have the same Dad-induced scorn for chains. I love to find a little hole in the wall local place, wherever I am. But, this reminded me of a trip to London that I took with my MIL (a whole other tale). She is the opposite of adventurous and I spent the entire time being annoyed because we were not allowed to eat EVER unless we found a boring American chain. It was awful. I’ve eaten and TGI Fridays and Hard Rock in London. Ugh.
confession is good for the soul. And often, it’s hysterical.
:-)
This reminds me of a scene in the The Girls Next Door (does any watch that show? I know, it’s horrible, but sometimes I can’t help it) when Kendra told a famous Italian designer (I think it was Valentino) that Olive Garden was the best italian restaurant in the world and she didn’t care what anyone said.
I am laughing at AnastasiaSpeaks’ comment.
I prefer the out of the way places too, but if it’s a good chain then I’ll take that too.
I am loathe to see that so many of the mom and pop shops/ restaurants have disappeared and yet there is nothing better than when I’m in a hurry and need a whole bunch of different things, then going to target or Home Depot.
So funny! The fact that you had great meal in London is really the big story here! The food there is plain old awful! That said, London will always be one of my favorite cities ever!
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I used to live in London and I started to smile very slowly when you mentioned Cafe Rouge…I saw what was coming, and was delighted that you were “suckered” in such a nice way :)
Cute story:-)
Oops! I think everyone likes finding great little hole in the wall places. No one wants to admit that Apple bee’s is their favorite restaurant. How boring.
I couldn’t even begin to count the number of times I did things like that in England. I totally understand.
And I imagine that the only place in the world that Indian food is better than it is in London is actually in India.
That was great!
I hate to admit it but I like chains too. Anyway, when you’re abroad it doesn’t count!
Oh that cracks me up! I so get your aversion. I’m with you that I’d rather go somewhere little and cute and fun… but with small children, that sometimes gets a little dicey.
But your ummm error? LOVE it. At least you found out about your error before you told everyone about the cute little place you found!
That is so funny! And La Madeline happens to be my very favorite chain restaurant!
Cute story!! We eat at allot of non chained places to…don’t really have a choice around here…lol….but I love to try new things and new places…that’s the fun of it… :)