I haven’t looked for it lately, but I’m not sure where to start today. I’m talking about old-time class, that you sank into instead of being hit in the face with it. Perhaps it’s a dead concept that only some of our senior Pixies will recall, but I was thinking today, if I ever did want to do something special with someone that may appreciate something beyond high priced trendy, I wouldn’t know where today.

The last place that I once did frequent during the late 70’s and early 80’s for special occasions in Cleveland was The English Oak Room, which is now long closed. It was long established from the 30’s or 40’s and was just understood. You either knew ‘The Oak Room’ or you didn’t. It was off in a side concourse of the landmark Terminal Tower, downtown.

It was one giant room with 20 ft. ceilings of gold leafed scrollwork, with dark wood, 2 ft. square sections of paneling from the floor up. The marble inlaid floor did not make it the expected echo chamber perhaps because of the tapestry type drapes that frames the many tall, leaded glass windows of two walls. The tables for two along the side had the same cracked black leather wingback chairs that you had to walk around to see if or whom may be occupying it, as the center floor tables that never left you feeling displayed. Not on a stage or over speakers, but off in a side alcove was always a solo, live piano, violin or harp playing that seemed almost inaudible but more ‘felt’.

(help me Lixy! I can’t stop. )
There was not a piece of paper or plastic in the room. The sugar was in silver patinaed bowls. The napkins were linen, and in a ring instead of folded into a swan about to leave the table. All the silver was silver as was all the glass, glass. Even the refilling water pitchers that kept your water never less than ¾ full, almost magically without notice, was glass with silver handle and bands. The staff was all with 30+ years of service with courtesy and professionalism that did not border on showmanship or pomp of any kind.

The one time that pressed duck was ordered for an anniversary dinner, the headwaiter rolled the cart with the marble based screw-press to the table after the preliminary courses without dialogue, and the white puff hated chef carved the dome covered bird, served the main pieces and proceeded to press the sauce without drum roll or spotlight. Friendly conversation relates the pride in his considerable ability and knowledge without arrogance or condescending. Many other amenities were understated and offered with grace instead of fanfare.

Does such classic elegance still exist or is this the first stage of senile reminiscence? I forgot to leave breadcrumbs when stepping out of the loop.

What is a class affair for a very special occasion or for a special person to you and where the hell is it at now?

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We once went to what we believed, from word of mouth, to be an elegant place for a special anniversary. Not only was the wait staff obnoxious but the owner traipsed through the dining room on a house phone, making lots of noise, and a kitchen person could be heard bitching about taking the food handlers class my state requires. To top it off, my food was inedible. And no one ever asked how it was or why I had only taken one bite. It cost us a lot, during a pretty poor period of our lives, to be thoroughly disenchanted. Mr. Lilith who is shy and non-confrontational was sooooooo upset he wrote the owner a letter. They sent us a $50 gift certificate, not even getting it close, and asked us to try them again. We gave it to a friend of Mr. Lil's and have not stepped in there in 12 years.

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The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.~ Betty Grable

If I wanted your opinion, I'd remove the duct tape and ask you for it.~ Me
<~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
One man's dream is another man's nightmare~~~~> §¤ Lilith ¤§
~>My Scribbles<~
==>Gone Shopping<== ~Just a Quickie~ *~A Celebration Vacation~* ~Surprises~ Sleeping With the Window Open
What Did You Do Today? Self Defense Class ~Short Sweet Snippets~ § Summer Spin § Story Challenge Submission Pajamas

i've been to a few places like you describe, pf. they are often small, family owned and operated, out of the way places where the chef comes out and asks about your meal and the waitstaff doesn’t chew gum and roll their eyes when you ask for more bread.

it is a dying art though and for what, i suspect, are alot of reasons: they are expensive and peeps just can't afford it cause they've spent all their money on a new car they didn't need and cable tv with 5432756853 channels. they seem elitist and that is so far from pc that it scares people away. they aren't family friendly and nowadays, families tend to do so much more together than they used to. people don't know what to expect: if you go to tgifridays, it's the same in pennsylvania as it is in georgia.

and another~~why try to find an fabulous, unusual place to spend and evening when you can go to the mall and eat, get in a game of put-put, get new shoes, put your kids in the indoor playground for a few, eat a decent meal, shop for a new couch, have a starbucks and a dq cone all with out going anywhere else? at an elegant restaurant, you get a superb meal and excellent service. at the mall you get sensory overload.

we do both. i like to get out with bigbad and have an adult night at a fancy place. the most recent one was a wonderful italian restaurant in philly and that was ages ago. but i also love heading to the mall with the kids for a bit of sensory overload.

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Trees give peace to the souls of men * Nora Waln

The forest would be very quiet if no other birds sang than those who sing the best * Henry van Dyke

some fairly sordid tales, rambles, and anecdotes
Hypothetically Speaking * Something More * Cammy Interrupted * An Experimental Vacation * Masked * so..damn..hot * Thank You * My toy, his idea * no.19 Maple Lane * I Have A Surprise For You * Yesterday * In a Quiet Kitchen * help me decide * untitled prose * more untitled prose

It is a different age, definitely.

Toronto has some fabulous chefs and their restaurants can be like you've described but unfortunately, most of the time, they're super-trendy pretentious places that will look dated in 10 minutes or so.

There are three places like that still around here where I live.

Family owned and operated that have been in business for many years.
They are still playing by the old rules.

The only place I can think of really close by here that is like that is the Ritz Carlton .... but of course, it's also super pricey .... It's fun to go there for a soda or dessert at Christmas time though because they decorate the entire place to the nines. There are probably other nice places close by, I'm just not one that makes it out a great deal .... and if I do, it's usually a little more low key type of place. But, I must say PF .. you did a really great description!!!