Dinner with friends — Sarah Polite

I walked down Pitt St. listening to the birds sing. The spring branches were blooming and matched the florals of my orange skirt. Both blew in the breeze. The sun was warm on my cheeks as I lifted my face to the sky. I paused before crossing Montague St. to look both ways before arriving to my destination at 28 Pitt St., the home of Merci. My 43rd birthday was the day before. I realized last minute that my special day was rapidly approaching and that I didn't have anything planned or anyone to spend it. I felt a pang of initial loneliness with it all but Charleston had been on my mind and so had Merci. I checked online and found a reservation for a bar seat on April 18th at 5 p.m..

I looked at my watch, I still had some time until five so I hung out on the corner a little longer listening to the birds, swaying in the breeze. I thought about how I was happy to be sitting at the bar which is always my favorite seat in the house. Something caught my eye, I looked across the street and noticed through the side window that a chef at the bar was meticulously slicing herbs, his head down. I wondered which bar seat would be mine. He continued slicing. The pre-service prep was happening. I watched through the window as the staff got ready for the night, each of them taking part of the private dance that happens before the first guests arrive and that they don’t get to witness. I continued to watch through the window as the door opened and the first guests of the evening walked through it. The staff took their places. It was 4:58p.m.. It was a sweet older couple that ended up holding hands the entire night, except for when they were eating their beef Wellington. I felt that familiar pang as I watched them. I looked away as they took their seats at the end of the bar and I made eye contact with the chef through the window as he looked up briefly from his herbs. I smiled, he smiled back. I crossed the street to join them.

From the moment I walked through the doors I was welcomed by the entire staff. It felt like I was meeting new friends at an intimate dinner party that instantly felt like old friends. Courtney greeted me first like she was expecting me and knew exactly who I was and because of that I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I was. I know that she made the other 25 guests in the dining room that night feel the same. I took my seat at the bar which faced both the kitchen and the chef's station where they were sending all the dishes out. As I got settled and ordered a sparkling water I looked at the couple at the other end of the bar that arrived before me, they were holding hands as they browsed the menu and sipped their wine. I smiled at them, they smiled back.

Golden hour had begun with the bustle of dinner service. The entire restaurant slowly filled with guests and a warm glow from the sun outside. My server Neileen excitedly explained the menu to me as we decided on three dishes to start. She then passionately threw in how much she loved the duck so I added that on as well making it four. Chef Michael welcomed me from the kitchen. I waved to him, still smiling. The host Madison said hello shortly after and made sure I had everything I needed for the night and she squeezed my shoulder as she floated by.

Dishes started coming out. I sat there in silence for a moment with a fluttering heart before grabbing my phone to try to capture the moment and how I felt so that I could remember it long after I was back home, wishing I was still there.

Spring pea salad. I grabbed the beautiful green East Fork plate that matched the peas perfectly and tried to discreetly snap a quick photo. I didn't want anyone to see me, I wanted to be cool and effortless and solely focus on enjoying every bite and being present in the moment or appear that I was. Somehow my quiet struggle signaled the chef de cuisine Alex and he saw me with my phone snapping a blurry, rushed photo of the plate in front of me in an awkward angle. I saw him notice me and I quickly put my phone to the side like I had been caught. He gently suggested that I move my dish into the light that was shining beside me at the neighboring place settings. I had two seats next to me that weren't occupied yet. They were covered in a golden glow from the light outside. I looked around. Neileen gave me encouraging support with a nod as she pointed her hand toward the empty bar seats and Madison looked at the books and excitedly announced that the next reservation wasn't scheduled to arrive until 6:30. We all looked at each other like we shared a secret. I had time. I took that as a reminder for more than just the open seating beside me in that moment. Chef kindly smiled and I grabbed the beautiful green plate and carefully placed it in the light. The dish was even more beautiful because of it. I slowly raised my phone and snapped my photo, pausing after, making sure I didn’t miss any of the details. I sat there a moment longer. Instead of sliding the plate back in front of where I was sitting, I looked at my watch and looked at the sunlight that was beside me, washing over the empty seats at the bar. I grabbed my stool and quietly slid it over two inches to the right and shifted my body a bit so that I moved into the light too along with my plate. I felt the warmth surround me and leaned into it. I had time. I grabbed my fork with a smile, then took a bite and finished my dinner with friends.