[Jared]: I think it's fair to suppose the blame for the three week delay in blogging about our trip to Europe rests largely on my shoulders. These last few weeks have been a bit stressful. However, you were promised a story of toilets, and I shall not disappoint!
After my first day at the European Wind Energy Conference, I was fully excited (or "stoked" as they say here in southern California) to see more of Brussels and to enjoy a nice meal. We decided to head to a restaurant mentioned in our guidebook. After wandering for some time and getting quite turned around, I am ashamed to admit that we resorted to using the map app on my iPhone. Finally we approached the restaurant. In his book, Rick mentioned that this was a restaurant where Belgians come "to see and be seen". As much as we love food, Beth and I don't typically find our way to "trendy" locales so to speak. I for one was a little intimidated by this place; and I was not comforted by the door man in a hipster tuxedo and top hat. And so we passed by.
We attempted to regroup as we peered inside. Should we go in? Are we dressed cool enough? We don't have reservations! Our French isn't great... and so forth. Finally, Beth imbibed me with the requisite courage. We had come this far, why turn back? Let's just go for it. So we did!
The restaurant was indeed trendy. An oyster bar to the left, a cocktail bar to the right. The lobby and main dining room opening up straight ahead. We informed the hostess that we had no reservations, and she was quite helpful. Our options were to wait roughly 45 minutes for a table or they could make a place for us at a very tall table right by the entrance. Given that it was late and we were hungry, we opted for the table - a decision I admit I regret. The table was the only bar height table in the entire dining room which helped us feel nice and conspicuous. Also our chairs were more like stools as they did not have backs, which meant that by the end of the meal, my lower back was screaming at me. What was done was done, but Beth and I pride ourselves on our ability to look on the bright side in such situations and did not let trivial inconveniences keep us from enjoying our evening.
Despite a supremely tempting menu (i.e. foie gras), Beth and I decided the chef's tasting menu was the optimal choice. We rarely order the same thing at a restaurant, but made an exception this evening. Everything was delicious. We both especially enjoyed the beer pairings with each course.
To top the meal off, we were treated to our choice of a classic cocktail on the house. We never were able to translate why we were offered the free drinks. As best we can tell, it was a relatively random thing. Maybe they were training a new bartender?
After so much hydration, we each required a trip to the facilities where we encountered our final surprise of the evening. Although our guidebook noted this restaurant as a place where people go "to be seen", I did not think this edict would apply to bathroom stalls. And yet, there I stood, facing a bathroom of see-through glass walls. Men and women's sections were noted with their respective gender symbols, yet still perfectly translucent. I admit the consequences of this truth took a moment to sink in. I cautiously approached a stall, entered, and closed the door behind me. I could still see the common space and sinks. By the transitive property of vision, I knew this meant my business would be on display to the world. Then I locked the stall door. The glass instantly became opaque! It was mind boggling. There weren't any shutters or sliding doors. One minute I could see through the glass, the next instant I could not. I once was exposed, but now I'm private. Hallelujah!
After so much hydration, we each required a trip to the facilities where we encountered our final surprise of the evening. Although our guidebook noted this restaurant as a place where people go "to be seen", I did not think this edict would apply to bathroom stalls. And yet, there I stood, facing a bathroom of see-through glass walls. Men and women's sections were noted with their respective gender symbols, yet still perfectly translucent. I admit the consequences of this truth took a moment to sink in. I cautiously approached a stall, entered, and closed the door behind me. I could still see the common space and sinks. By the transitive property of vision, I knew this meant my business would be on display to the world. Then I locked the stall door. The glass instantly became opaque! It was mind boggling. There weren't any shutters or sliding doors. One minute I could see through the glass, the next instant I could not. I once was exposed, but now I'm private. Hallelujah!
There you have it. It was quite an evening. There's more fun and food stories to come. I'm going to hand the blog back over to Beth who promises to be a more reliable blogger than I.
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