Birthday Celebration

What a night! We certainly did celebrate Michael's birthday. With no reservations (one of us couldn't decide where he wanted to go), we walked into madness. Tyler Florence's Wayfare Tavern in the Financial District was PACKED. On a Wednesday night! Michael had a couple Mojitos that were light and delicious. I did not even have a sip as I was the driver for the night.

We chatted up the manager and the front desk woman and our waitress. We watched all the different locals and tourists and lots of businessmen hanging out together. The food? We had oysters then split the hamburger. It was not just a hamburger but a Kobe Hamburger. Delicious.

Jumping in the car, I drove through traffic to British Don's Portrero Hill loft with a bag filled with fresh turnovers, which he promptly ate! He had just returned from two weeks in Britain to visit friends, his sister, cousins and his mother's grave. He had lots of stories well told. I drove the three of us back across town to the Civic Center area where the Symphony's Opening Night Gala was happening. Streets were blocked, there was a loud band playing, people were dancing while others in their finest gowns and suits were strolling along the darkened streets. It was really fun to see.

We found our little dive. Smugglers Cove. Michael really wanted to go there for his birthday. It was a Tiki Bar on three levels including a grotto. I tried to find photos but because it is so small and dark, there was nothing to really show the feeling of the place. Here is their URL: here

The three of us settled downstairs in the "Boat House" in the grotto area and the cocktails began. I had a fancy non-alcohol drink while Don and Michael began their exploration of rums. I think I counted three different drinks. Or four. The bartenders were fantastic, we were the oldest people in the place and it was not horribly packed. It was cute. I was tired. Around 11:30, I was done.

We ran British Don back to his loft, drove back down the coast and climbed into bed by 12:30AM. Michael was up at 5:30AM and out the door to work at 6:50AM. It is going to be a long day for him. Co-workers are taking him to lunch and we have to drive back to British Don's tonight to deliver his car, which is getting new tires today.

My day today? A facial and a hair cut (and coloring) and after work, Michael is also having a hair cut and a shave!

As we usually stay home and I am in bed by 8PM, it is fun to get out of our routine once in a while. We felt so grown up! And Michael felt a year older.