Little Blackbird Restaurant

Little Blackbird Restaurant

Roblynn Hunnisett

March 23, 2021

It was Friday and it meant date-night at the Little Blackbird Restaurant. You never knew who would walk through those large custom wine- glass wooden doors with the wrought-iron blackbird handles. But date-night generally brought 3 types of couples into our unique little corner. I watched them all because one could never get enough entertainment, which included an amount of joy.

The first couple arrived and were talking non-stop between themselves. This is the young couple who has 2 small children at home and 2 busy careers who rarely get time to themselves. Even though they ordered wine and appetizers right away, they are talking so fast I know they didn’t taste a thing.

“Excuse me, would you like to order a second course? “ Blinking at each other they look down at their plates in shock, they order the days special, hoping they will remember what they ate.

It is always the same for this couple. Rush, rush, rush, until an hour in they remember no one is looking for them. Now as you look across, they share their desserts and beverages and relaxation settles in.

Then you get the anniversary couple, whether they are married for a year , 15 or 30 years, theirs is a dinner I enjoy watching. He always pulls her chair out, even if it isn’t a normal thing for their relationship. He will touch her shoulder, or put her hair behind her ear, or some small gesture that says,” I love this woman”.

“ May I offer you a beverage or recommend a wine for you this evening”?

They look at each other and smile saying together. “ Apple martinis”, because this was their first drink on a date.

Watching is probably rude but I do it anyway. This is the couple who speaks and listens to one another but tend to be looking and touching each other's hands.Sometimes, there is just staring and smiling, these are the couples most comfortable in each other's space.

“Would you like to hear the chef’s offer for the evening?” Yes please is the response.

“ The date-night menu consists of mini crab- cakes with a chili mayonnaise, spinach, pear and raspberry salad with a raspberry dressing, chicken breast stuffed with cranberry and goat cheese, sweet potato croquettes and steamed asparagus, ending with a chocolate amaretto cheesecake accompanied by a blueberry coulis and almond cream. With coffee or tea, the menu is $95, what do you think? “

“Everything sounds delicious, so yes to it all, but can we also get some water with lemon. Thank you.”

This is the couple who will take 3 hours in the restaurant but will enjoy every moment and the chef will be pleased as well as the staff. These people are always generous with their tips and honest with their compliments. It always amazes me that the chef is so creative in his choices and the last Friday of the month is all vegetarian. Now, you get some really interesting people for last Fridays.

On the other side of the restaurant is the bar where every Friday, there are tapas and wine tastings from 5-7pm. This tends to bring in after- work people and quite a few single people. There are 3 different wines selected but the red is always a merlot. It only makes sense when Merlot is equal to “little blackbird”. I digress, let's get back to my side and hope I did not miss anything while I was sharing with you.

Oh my, there is the target sitting down already. He is early, flicking the invisible thread from his $1,000 suit. He was a young 40 year old. My guess was he was a lawyer, but I have been known to be wrong. He pushes his glasses up on his nose and the beads of sweat push them back down. You would think a $1,000 suit would produce a little more confidence in a man. I hoped he knew something about wine because he would order the expensive kind.

The door flew open and all eyes were up. It was like the wind had blown the wild redhead through to the hostess station. The mass of red curls were all array when she dug into her large purple tote and pulled out a clip and pulled her hair back. If you asked my opinion, it looked better without the clip. Then I sneak a look and realized she was wearing high heel purple and green pumps which match her large cateye glasses and handbag. No wonder she was wearing a lemony dress, to set off spectacular colours. There is an advantage to looking at things from 6 feet.

“ Miss, do you have a reservation?” asked the hostess.

“Actually, he is the nervous man with the dropped jaw, I think I am good, thank you”, as she smiled and walked with purpose towards the table.

“Hello Walter, I am Hilary”. She just stood at the chair waiting...and waiting. Boy, get out of your chair and get a clue. The chair scraped across the floor and a pair of shoulders straightened to his full height as he stepped around the back of the chair to hold it out for Hilary. Whispering in her ear, you look stunning.

“Thank you for FINALLY agreeing to come out with me, I am not great at on-line stuff. You are so good with creative banter that I wanted the experience in person. You always make me smile. Thank you.”

“Walter, please understand 15 years older as a woman is a big deal. I know, I know it shouldn’t be, but we all have a few vain areas in our life. I am here now, so let’s enjoy our evening, but first stop staring at me like I am an angel or fairy sitting on a rock”.

“Hilary, I am sorry I am a little nervous, which is ridiculous, since I run 5 companies and I am around people all the time.”

Looking into her monster tote, she pulls out a glass case, a notebook and a pen. Walter is totally confused as she remains silent throughout the confession from him. Gently she opens the case, takes off the large dark purple cat-eyes, and exchanges them for small mauve wire rimmed glasses.

“Excuse me , my name is Alejandro and I will be your waiter tonight. Would you like a drink to start you off?”

“Hilary, would you like to order some wine?’

“Alejandro, could you give us a few minutes with the wine list, but please feel free to bring a bottle of cold San Pellegrino with some limes”. Her smile was so brilliant that its reflection hit me right on my name label, Pride.

“Walter, do you know much about wine, I am not really good with reds and I know it is the restaurant specialty. Confession, I looked at the restaurant’s website and wanted to find out what it was all about.”

A slow chuckle started from the other side and it ended with a large grin. “Yes, actually I drink only red wine,are you willing to trust me? “

“ Surprise me”.

Alexandro arrives just in time to open and pour the water and set the limes and the rest of the bottle to the back of the table. “Are we ready to order ?”

“Yes, thank you, we will have a bottle of your Pride Mountain 2018 Merlot.”

“Excellent choice sir, we have one more bottle left.”

Please, please , let her be the taster. I want nothing but to slide down those lush lips, enter her mouth and show what I am made of. She needs to know my $165 price tag is worth it. I will convince her, reds are the top of the list .

“SIr, would you like me to pour for you ?”

“No, please let the beautiful woman taste first.”

“Are you sure?”, you could hear the hesitancy in her voice.

“I trust you.”

Both Walter and Alexandro became entranced with the delicate mauve fingers and intensity of the actions.

Okay, here it goes. Looking into her notebook, she followed the notes she had written down from the website. Hold the glass at an angle and look at the colour. Swirl around to let in oxygen . Oops she remembered , held by the stem , so she gave me another swirl. Next place your nose into the bowl and inhale. Hmmm,smells delicious. Ripe plum, boysenberry, and blackberry leap from the glass. Gently lift the glass to your mouth and swirl in your mouth.

It is my time now, as she tilts her head back and elongates her throat, a drop on her lip and then I am in. YES! The swirling in her mouth is heaven as I coat her palette and her beautiful white teeth. Slowly slipping down, I could feel her pleasure and hear it in her words, I taste chocolate.

The boys were still watching in awe, as I knew, I got her. She was mine moving forward.

Just when you think the grapes are dead, they develop a whole new voice.