Copyright (c) 2014 Eli Gali

Whether it is you and your date or you and your spouse, the night out always begins with 'Where do you want to eat?" The banter gets old. You know she will always pick a fine dining restaurant. She knows you will always pick a prime steakhouse. You know she's high maintenance and she knows you are a carnivore.

The last time you went out for dinner she won with her choice. You were stuck wearing a coat and tie and felt like you were being strangled all night. The restaurant was so preoccupied with the presentation it seems like they forgot the food. You couldn't tell what was edible and what was not.

Perhaps it was fair because the time before that you got to get a prime steak. She sat with a look on her face like she had just sucked a sour persimmon. She eyed the people around her drinking beer and wearing jeans. It was a rather rowdy place, but your steak was fine. She pushed her entrée from one side of the plate to the other without really trying it. Maybe it was the presentation.

A few weeks back there were a few out of town clients in and you and your boss took them to dinner at a prime steakhouse that just happened to be a fine dining restaurant as well. It was great! You decide to surprise her the next chance you got and that was last night.

First she asked what she should wear and you told her she could wear anything but jeans. That piqued her curiosity but she pretended not to care. You were wearing a pair of casual pants and a Polo shirt. She knew for sure she wasn't going to a fine dining restaurant so she began practicing her persimmon look. You just kept smiling.

When you pulled into the parking lot she could see you had taken her to a prime steakhouse. The persimmon was in full bloom - and so was your smile. When you walked in the door she seemed somewhat surprised. The conversations were animated but not loud. The atmosphere was much more sophisticated than she anticipated.

As you sat at the table the wait staff asked if you would like something from the bar. She expected you to order a beer and drink it right from the bottle. You both settled on margaritas. You ordered an appetizer of seafood stuffed mushrooms to share while you made up your minds about your entrees. She was really taken back. You hid your face behind your menu because you were grinning like the village idiot. You pulled one over on her that she was going to love!

You had your prime steak - a large filet - grilled to perfection. It looked like she couldn't quite make up her mind at first. It was a toss-up between a North Atlantic salmon filet or Alaskan king crab legs. She finally selected the salmon with a side of fresh broccoli and a stuffed tomato. When the meal was finished there wasn't anything left on her plate!

You gave her everything she wanted in a meal out: fine dining and great food. You got your prime steak and a casual atmosphere. Guess this will be your regular restaurant from now on!