The Connection Bernards-Ridge Edition January February 2015

PAGE 42 THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION FEB/MARCH 2015 The CONNECTory www.connectory.theconnectionsnj.com Scan Here to Visit BE SEEN ON Visit our Connection On-Line ad to view our video The CONNECTIONS When my sister and I both lived in The City before we were married, our parents would come in from New Jersey for a weekly family din- ner at Houston’s on Sunday nights. After my sister married, we contin- ued to do so, expanding our group to five. We enjoyed the food and service so much that my sister and I would often go there on our girls’ nights out. We always had the same waiter. We got to know him over several years and he got to know us. His name is Eric. My dad would often talk with him about their shared interest in movies. After my sister and her husband moved out of Manhattan, I contin- ued to go Houston’s but not on a regular basis. As time went on I spent less and less time there. When I married my husband we began going to other places so it has been many years since I was last there. Last summer, we had thought seriously about taking a vacation to Europe. However, we ended up tak- ing a trip this past September to Santa Monica, California. Before the trip, we received a lot of advice and suggestions on restaurants and things to do. We made several din- ner reservations well in advance. For our first night, we did not make a dinner reservation. As it was a cross country travel day, we had decided to just see how we felt. We ended up walking around the historic Santa Monica Pier area looking at the sights and for potential eating places. We chose Del Frisco’s as we had eaten at the location in New York and knew it was good. Later, after relaxing in our hotel room for a bit, we made the short walk to the restaurant anticipating some tasty hamburgers. We were seated outside and ordered a couple drinks. It was a beautiful and warm night. Eventual- ly, our waitress took our dinner order. When our food arrived, a waiter served it to us. I was looking down when he came over, but I heard him say that he worked tables inside the restaurant but was lend- ing a hand to our waitress. His voice sounded very familiar. I looked up and he looked back at me. It was Eric. I introduced my hus- band to him and Eric gave him a big bear hug. Had we not changed our trip to California rather than Italy… Had we not picked Del Frisco’s at the spur of the moment… Had Eric not moved from one coast to the other… Had he not decided to help the outside waiting staff at that particu- lar moment… I wouldn’t have had the wonder- ful reunion with our family’s all-time favorite waiter and just a really great guy. CROSS COUNTRY ENCOUNTER By: Dan Rosenberg (This story was told to me by my daughter-in-law, Tracey) www.theconnectionsnj.com