Dinner "Specials"

About a month after Baby Man entered the world our 8-year anniversary rolled around. Some trusted friends agreed to watch our bundle of joy while we went on our first dinner alone as parents. I wanted it to be a special dinner. So being an epicure and thrifty I made reservations at place downtown that had sent a coupon in the mail. Before you starting laughing at the juxtaposition of epicure and coupon - it was a $50-off the purchase of two entrees so I figured it had to be pricey and many times (not always) pricey in the restaurant world means the food is probably pretty good. I looked up the menu on-line and it did look good so I made reservations.

We kissed our baby good bye, left a bottle in the frig and headed out for our first "date night" without our baby in tow. We were both relaxed, knowing the baby was in good hands. To our surprise we both kind of missed our little guy but our minds were quickly occupied when we sat down and began looking over the menu. It was a steakhouse with all the usual fare so it was not too impressive but hey, we had $50 off so we could really go nuts right?

The waiter told us the specials and then as my husband asks about which steak is the best in the house the waiter immediately begins to tell us about a "real special" special - a bone-in rib eye that is not on the menu but is fabulous. Love of My Life has had this cut of meat before and agrees that it is quite good. Our waiter looks disappointed that it isn't quite so "special" and sees Love of My Life's interest wane as he looks at the regular rib eye (because fillet, which I'm getting, is so trite.) The waiter mentions that there are only six of these wonderful bone-in rib eyes in the restaurant and he doesn't know when they'll get more and if we order it he'll throw in a lobster tail half price. That was the clincher - Love of My Life likes lobster too (I'm more of a crab lover myself.) He orders the bone-in rib eye, I order my trite fillet and we decide to share a side of scalloped potatoes.

The meal goes by as many do - tasty with a side of interesting chit-chat. We both enjoyed everything that was served and ordered dessert and an Irish coffee for me (after all we have $50 coupon.) Then, as Seinfeld points out, comes the story of the bill. They put the bill in the nice little faux leather book. Most of these end-of-dinner books are disappointing but expected. This was neither.... it was frightening and completely unexpected. We realized in that moment that the phrase "if you have to ask how much it is you shouldn't be buying it" was too true. Much to our horror the coupon didn't even cover his steak - not to mention the side of potatoes, lobster, salads, soup, dessert, coffee and two beers.

You live and learn right? We'll never feel bad about asking for the prices on "specials" again and beware the moment your waiter starts telling you they don't when they'll get this item again. My guess is the reason it isn't on the menu is because no one would buy a $68.00 steak that you can get across town for $35.00 (what we paid the first time he had a "bone-in rib eye".) Oh well, it is an anniversary we won't forget. I put the receipt in the baby's baby book as a reminder of the first dinner we went out to without him!