Do you have reservations?

Well, in the middle of a raucous party Friday night, my father in law called to discuss dinner plans for Saturday night. Between the end of college semesters and the ever slowly creeping close end of my school year, he felt a celebration was in order. And of course, graduation weekend in Providence meant every restaurant not named McDonald's or Burger King was booked solid. And I am venturing a guess that the fast food joints weren't exactly slow on business that night either. So we went local, and got an 8:15 slot at Octagon at the Mystic Marriott. This would be our fourth visit, I wrote about our wine dinner there recently as well. It seemed like a busy night at the Marriott, with a prom going on and some other functions as well. Our table wasn't ready until a little after 8:30, no biggie, that gave me time to critique the people already dining. I have a sick fascination with how people dress at restaurants. Now Octagon is in a hotel, so you get the people who just want a meal and have limited options for dress because they are on vacation or just visiting. So I was willing to forgive the guy in a white t-shirt and crummy jeans. But when I spotted a nicely dressed young man, in khakis and a shirt and tie, also wearing a baseball cap I was so perturbed! How can you wear a tie and baseball cap at an elegant steak house and not feel like a total ass! If he was in Europe they would've spit in his food. Anyway, back to dinner. Besides Katie's parents, we were also joined by her sister, Krislyn, and her friend, Dan. Once we were seated Fred let me glance over the wine list. I was quickly informed that my first choice (an Oregon Pinot of course) was out of stock. So plan B was Joseph Phelps "Le Mistral." This time they sent the manager over to explain it was also unavailable. And what do you now, the manager grew up across the street from me. Devin and I hadn't talked in almost four years now, so it was good to see him. We settled on Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot to start, and when that was finished I asked him to pick out another Pinot, and I told Fred it was on me and send a separate check for it. As for the food, excellent! Julia and Dan started with the Lobster Bisque. The presentation was superb, they delivered the empty bowl with a pile of lobster meat, then poured the bisque over the meat right at the table. Krislyn got the shrimp cocktail, I am requesting an investigation into whether or not those shrimp were on steroids. I had the crab cakes with smoked jalapeño tartar sauce. Absolutely to die for! Just spicy enough with plenty of crab meat, not loaded with bread crumbs like some places try to pull off. The entrees were just as tasty. Three of us had the surf and turf special, a New York Strip with Shrimp and Scallops. The surf half was served over a grilled onion and tomato with a vinaigrette that set my tongue dancing. Add a perfectly cooked medium-rare strip to that, devine. Katie had duck filet, that was simply delicious. Fred had just the New York Strip, and Dan had the salmon special with polenta fries (they looked amazing!). And for the second bottle Devin sent over a 2004 Etude Carneros Pinot Noir, that I felt really out shined the Willamette. Besides a longer than desired wait for our main course, it was an excellent meal. the big surprise was when the check arrived and our server explained that the second bottle of wine was complimentary. I told the server to make sure Devin knew how thankful I was. That was such a classy move, and I was floored by the gesture. I wish I had seen him before we left so I could express my thanks personally. As usual, the company made the night, and the food and wine were simply delectable accents. Till next time..."It was like a college party, I felt four years younger!"

P.S.-Tentative date for next Wine from A to Zin June 8th!