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I Did It!! I Ate at a Restaurant!!

By
Real Estate Agent with Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 BRE# 01494165

Oh my goodness - I did it! 

Last weekend I was headed to my aunt and uncle's for lunch with the "old" folks in my life. While my kids are home sanitizing the counter-tops for the umpteenth time, my parents are walking the beach and going to the market almost daily, just to get out of the house. 

Perspective I suppose. 

But back to the story......last Saturday I was headed to my aunt and uncle's for lunch and had a few extra minutes, so I did some recon. I went over to the shopping center near their home in Newport Beach. Fashion Island is an outdoor mall with beautiful stores and great restaurants. I had heard Orange County was opening up and I had heard a rumor that my favorite exercise clothing store would be open Memorial Day weekend, so I wanted to see for myself. 

As I walked up, I noticed something odd - there were people sitting at a table on the patio of the Yard House. So I headed over cautiously - you must be careful when you find diners in the wild. At first I assumed they were waiting for a "to-go" order, but then I saw her - someone was bringing them food to the table - it was a waitress!!! 

It was surreal! It looked amazing. I remember thinking:

"That wonderful person is going to bring them food while they are sitting there and then take away the dirty dishes when they are done"

WHAT? That's crazy!! 

Further investigation found R&D Kitchen open as well and Monday, mom and I enjoyed a leisurely lunch on their patio as well. It was amazing!! I love going to restaurants!! 

My local mall is open now too - I can go to Nordstrom's and shop! I hardly know what to do with myself, so many options. 

I knew that shower was going to pay off!!! Ok, it was 3 days ago, but still?

 

Comments(19)

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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Karen - ah, yes I remember the days of eating in a restaurant. .  .     It was this year but in some ways seems a distant memory.  

May 30, 2020 11:53 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

Isn't it bizarre how long ago that feels? 

May 30, 2020 01:09 PM
Michael Jacobs

May 30, 2020 04:12 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Well, good for you, Karen. The things we used to take for granted. Wow. 

May 30, 2020 12:34 PM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

Crazy how much we took these things for granted. Now I'm ready for a trip

May 30, 2020 01:10 PM
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

we went with our kids and grandson on Thursday.  It felt great to dine out again.

May 30, 2020 01:00 PM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

It felt soooo good. 

May 30, 2020 01:10 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Love your humour and everybody has different feelings about how they feel towards going out in the big wide world again. I know showing houses does not feel normal at all, with masks and gloves and forms to be completed etc.

May 30, 2020 01:16 PM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

I forget until I leave the house and see everyone in masks. 

May 30, 2020 02:11 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hahahaha that's how we felt a couple of weeks ago when we went out to eat the first day restaurants were open!!  Ahhhhhhh finally!!!  And we've been over doing going out ever since!! It's just so fun to meet friends and enjoy time together - out somewhere rather than meeting at a park!

May 30, 2020 01:50 PM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

I am right there with you. So tired of my own cooking and now I don't have to. Not sure this is going to help with the Quarantine-15 though. LOL

May 30, 2020 02:11 PM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

No dining in the SF Bay Area yet--but soon. I've been fantasizing about sitting on a patio, dining in a relaxed fashion, saying hello to people.....

Meanwhile, we've been supporting our local neighborhood eateries by picking up "to go" orders several times a week. We want those mom-n-pop places to survive. 

May 30, 2020 02:54 PM
Abby Stiller
TOP SELLING REALTY - Cape Coral, FL
SW Florida (239) 284-8637

Good for you Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner I felt the same way 3 weeks ago when we had lunch at my fav restaurant. Thanks God FL has been reopened for a while. 

May 30, 2020 05:10 PM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi Karen,  Good for you - be adventurous!  Life's simple pleasures - we all took for granted.  We're still not fully open.

May 30, 2020 07:42 PM
Barbara Todaro
Retired...Mentoring Newbies - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Good morning, Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner it's difficult to believe there is a normal that we might experience again....or not!!  we shall see.....I miss breakfasts with the family... 

May 31, 2020 04:53 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Karen. Not yet so in Chicago. The mayor is on her own schedule. So we wait and say "someday"! Enjoy your freedom.

May 31, 2020 05:16 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Karen,
No restaurants open in my neck of the woods yet but we're hoping all small business can open again soon!

May 31, 2020 06:49 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Things are opening up!  I remember when I ate at a restaurant a couple of weeks ago and it felt weird at first because I was used to everything being closed.  After a bit, it felt normal again and the staff wasn't even wearing masks, gloves, or anything, it made me feel comfortable in that environment.

May 31, 2020 07:12 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Loved your post, Karen.... I was saying to a colleague yesterday that it would a red letter day today as I'd be showing a home in person this morning! Who knew the anticipation of a showing in person would yield such excitement! :) Haven't eaten out yet, but I have gone and gotten a haircut! (More excitement!)

May 31, 2020 09:28 AM
Rose King
David Tracy Real Estate - Friendswood, TX
Friendswood / Pearland / Houston Bay Area

Hello Karen. We have ventured out to a restaurant only once since the shutdown was lifted. But I have to admit, when I found out Dillards was open, I went right away for some retail therapy!

Jun 01, 2020 08:53 PM
Joan Valverde
HomeSmart - Colorado Springs, CO
GRI,CDPE,CNE,MRP,SRES Colo Sprgs, Blk Forest, Monu

Hello Karen,  I am so HAPPY FOR YOU!!!  My hubby and I went out with friends on Friday night.  It was very good!!  The company and the food!  So ready to get back to an almost normal.  

Jun 09, 2020 09:53 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

While I've made several trip through drive-thru restaurants, I haven't dined in since the lock-down.  I often find myself salivating at thoughts of special dishes inside some of my favorites.

Jul 03, 2020 04:32 PM
Manuel Angeles
Exp Commercial - Los Angeles, CA
Commercial Real Estate Broker, Investment Sales

Great post! Thank you for sharing this ☺

 

- Manuel Angeles

Nov 28, 2020 05:01 PM
Kathy Schowe
California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA
La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

Hi!  I'm trying to get back to blogging so I thought I'd stop by your blog.  You have always been one of my favorites!  Miss you!  Best,  Kathy

Sep 08, 2022 02:43 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Retirees Services

My return to a restaurant was for my birthday in Sept. 2020 seems funny now, but wow what we all went through! Hope you'll be back in The Rain soon!

Oct 12, 2023 01:29 PM