OK, I did delete the previous post in case you noticed. Lots worked out yesterday and feeling better today.
We left off at the set visit and then I was off to dinner.
It was cold out and by the time I got back to the hotel, I almost wasn't sure I wanted to head back out, get on a subway, sit at a restaurant and have dinner. But, I had previously told myself that I needed to head back to La Mela, a restaurant I discovered with my family when they visited 5 years ago. It was one of the best restaurants because the food was delicious, the atmosphere was hilarious and the experience was a memory for life.
I bundled up and made my way out. It was an incredibly short subway ride and once I got up and out, I was happy to be out walking in NY again.
I eventually made it to La Mela. It was easy to find. However, what was not so easy was to figure out which door to enter because they have three separate sections. Of course, I planned on eating in the restaurant, but ended up in the bar area, perched on a stool and the only customer in that area.
One of the waiters went behind the bar to take my drink order, so I got some white wine, which they filled to the top, of course. Soon after, the bartender appeared and gave me a menu. Tricia (my bartender) was hilarious, Italian, sassy, incredibly kind and the perfect bartender for this kind of night.
I ordered the gnocchi which was probably the best gnocchi I've ever had. While I ate, here is some stuff that went on:
Man enters bar area from other room
Man: Hey!
Tricia: Hi, how are you?
Man: Good.
Tricia: What's your name again?
Man: Santino.
Tricia: Right!
Man: The guys are back there.
Tricia: TJ is there??
Man: Yeah.
Tricia goes off to the back area where TJ is.
Man: How are you?
Me: Good.
Man: Enjoying your dinner?
Me: Yes, it's delicious.
Man: Are you here alone?
Me: Yes.
Man: Have a good night.
Man leaves and Tricia soon returns.
OK, Santino did not say the "Are you here alone?" part as if he were hitting on me, it was more like, "Are you here alone because I need to know exactly what is going on and P.S. I'm in the mob."
Soooo...my night went on. Some people began to trickle in and eat in the bar area at some tables. Two older couples from California came in for drinks. They were nice-ish, but I later found out they tipped $4 on an $80 bill!
We talked about California and I talked about my work. They love Mark Wahlberg, so they were impressed with me. During this time I finished my wine and dinner. Tricia asked if I wanted another and I hadn't planned on it, so I said I was OK for now. She said it'd be on the house. I said OK!
The two couples and I talked with Tricia and some staff. I told them my La Mela story and how my family and I loved it and I knew I wanted to come back during my short trip. They said friends had recommended the place.
Sometime during all this a waiter came up to check on me. He asked me how the food and wine were and called me "bella."
Soon another man entered the bar area and took a seat next to me. He tried to order an espresso and chat me up. Luckily, Tricia was awesome and soon told him they only served food and alcohol (not true). Once he left, she said:
"I figured he was bothering you when he was practically trying to sit in your lap."
The couples left after a couple of drinks and I finished my wine up at around the same time. I got my bill and put my money down to pay. Tricia and I continued to talk and without me noticing, she began filling my glass again.
When I finally noticed, she said, "Benny (Binny?) wanted to buy you a drink."
Eyebrows raised, she introduced me to both Benny and Tony, two of the waiters. They asked me where I was from and a few other things. Benny was the waiter who was calling me "bella" earlier. Young, tall, real Italian accent (not Jersey style), in shape and pretty cute (other than some weird little facial hair thing).
So I chilled with my wine and heard bartending stories from Tricia. We talked about reality TV and how we both had wanted to go to Rocco's restaurant from his reality show and how it failed.
Eventually, Benny would reappear at my side.
Benny: (all in an Italian accent) So you are not from New York, bella?
Me: No, I'm just here for work.
Benny: Oh, what do you do?
Me: Entertainment journalism.
Benny: Oh. (I don't think he got it). So when did you get here?
Me: Yesterday.
Benny: When do you leave, bella?
Me: Tomorrow morning.
Benny: Oh, so short! I am sad. What time tomorrow?
Me: 10:30.
Benny: Oh, that is not so early.
Me: (in head: Yes, it is.) Yeah it's not so bad.
Benny: So what are your plans for the rest of the night?
Me: No plans. Just came here for dinner and a drink (in head: or 2 or 3 or....).
Benny: No plans?
Me: Nope, nothing else planned tonight.
Benny: Oh, so you will just go back to hotel?
Me: I guess.
Benny: What area are you staying in?
Me: Just a bit uptown from here.
Benny: Uptown?!
Me: No, just a little uptown from here, near Rockefeller Center.
Benny: Oh, oh. So nothing else planned tonight?
Me: Nope.
Benny: Well if you are headed out for another drink or something later, you should let me know.
Me: Mm hmm.
And with that, Benny was off back to work.
Here's the thing, I was slightly charmed by him, but the ending? I'm not the girl who will then ask, "Well, what time do you get off?"
The way he should have played it was, "I get off at [insert time]. Let's head to [insert location] and have a drink." With that, I would not have to do a thing other than agree to go. So much easier.
After my third glass and Tricia was just on her way out as her shift was ending, the owner came and tended bar. He offered, "Let La Mela buy you a drink."
Tempting? Yes. Did I take it? No. Logic was present and I knew it was time to call it a night, while I could still easily make my way home with many people still out and about.
I headed out, didn't have a chance to say bye to Benny, and made my way back to the hotel. I couldn't have asked for a better NY night.
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