Tuesday. 7:30 pm. Main Street.
My date stands in front of the wide open movie-screen-sized window. I get a preview of the interior as Umi, the manager, greets us at the door. Come in and hang out with us. Well, don’t mind if we do.
So inviting, with its vagabond chic design. A trip for your senses. A melting pot of different styles blended so it feels comfortable, warm and friendly. Like an old dear friend who has just returned from her travels and has a great story for you. Grab some wine, sit down and tell your tales. I’m all ears.
White orchids. All white couches and ottomans with hints of orange flavor. Orange trim, hanging lanterns and upside down orange paper parasols. A collection of paintings that can hold your attention and spark conversation. Where did you get that? Who did it? Umi, casually and without inhibition, will be happy to tell you all about it. Umi will also tell you she picked that table up herself, with her very own hands, from IKEA the other day and that the large bench came straight from Bali. She is a Korean-born—so cute I want to put her in my pocket—wine enthusiast.
With a slight subtle accent, she explains and sells wine as though they’re men and she is Patty the matchmaker.
“This pinot is shy and sweet. But he might get boring after awhile as he doesn’t really have a bite. He’s nice though. He’ll get the girl someday,” she explains. “Or this one, the cab, he only comes in a large barrel and has a funky smell. So although he is a little much and needs a shower, he sticks with you, and for some reason you can’t stop thinking about him.”
Pinot it is. I’m sensitive to smell and I am into shy and sweet right now. Like my date who sits across from me. A writer who smells nice. He’s funny but not schticky. His words are deliberate, thoughtful, and just enough sarcastic. If his dialogue reads as well as he talks, I presume he is a good writer. I Googled him before I came. Google tells me he is, in fact, a writer and he actually gets paid to do it.
I always Google. I learned my lesson three years ago on this very same street at the place right next door. It was my second date with the guy, sipping wine, wearing a way too mini mini, when my date proceeded to tell me he was a registered sex offender in the state of Ohio. From that day forth it was “All hail Google.” My handy, trust worthy friend.
Umi recommends the Chicken Tikka skewers with mint, and my date wants to try the Samosas as we talk about our favorite romantic comedies. He’s a real When-Harry-Met-Sally kinda guy, and I admit I didn’t look at my phone the whole evening. Not even to Google. But I can’t tell yet if it’s just friendship or something more.
It’s a slow night for Naresh’s, so Umi continues to introduce me to more men of her liking, including Naresh himself, who shakes your hand like he knows you and looks forward to seeing you soon.
You come back now you hear? Oh, I will my friend. I will.
RATING:
NARESH’S RESTAURANT AND BAR
2420 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-9227
www.nareshsonmain.com
No comments:
Post a Comment