becoming mrs. bret

Entré, s'il vous plait . . .

I think I'd like to have my own restaurant. A bistro-type place, very cozy and atmospheric. Booths (built by Bret, of course!) covered in pink, purple and turquoise paisley fabric. Beaded, fabric-shaded hanging lamps. Chunky pottery jars of alstroemeria on each table. All the glassware custom painted with designs by Brenda. Dimly-lit, with a faint, underlying scent of patchouli in the air. Downlights illuminating artwork by Valerie. Concert posters on the walls (both past and present), and some of the most excellent (artistically-speaking) LP covers framed and hung here and there (see list on Chronic Listaholic). In the background, music from the Moody Blues, Loreena McKennitt, Deep Purple, Robin Trower, Staind, Joe Cocker, King Crimson, Etta James, Pink Floyd, Joss Stone, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, k.d. Lang, Tom Waits — and a few Phish, for when Juli stopped by. On Friday and Saturday nights in our funky-chic bar area (fully designed and built by Bret, decor by ME), we'd have live music from hot local bands like 34 Below, Rambis and Wonka Bar. Wednesdays would be Karaoke Nights. If you came in to celebrate your 21st birthday, all your drinks would be on the house — and so would any designated driver's.

The menu would be eclectic. Deep Dish Lasagna, Tuna Melt Wraps, Roast Pork Tenderloin with Garlic-Sour Cream Smashed Potatoes, Chicken & Olive Enchiladas, Spinach & Mushroom-stuffed Manicotti, Pad Thai with Fried Yam, Suzi's Stacked BLTs oozing melted cheddar. Down-home side dishes like Butter-Soaked Baby Limas, Fire-Roasted Corn-on-the-Cob, and Young Asparagus in Colby Sauce (NO BROCCOLI). Surprising appetizers like Hotter Than Hell Devilled Eggs, Deep-Fried Macaroni & Cheese, and Red Pear, Pecan and Gruyere Salad. Decadent desserts like Death By Chocolate Cake, Double Fudge Brownie Sundaes and Suzi's Tie-Dyed Almond Cookies. Coffee so good, so rich and fragrant, it could only be Jamaica Blue Mountain. Oolong, Jasmine and Chai teas (and Lipton, with cream and NO lemon, just for Sheryl). A nice variety of herbals — Bengal Spice, Red Zinger, Chamomile. Stone Ales, Newcastle, Bass, Klausthaler, White Merlot, and a house Blush wine from Orfilia that sparkled in a beautiful, translucent pink. Bottomless glasses of Dr. Pepper, Barq's, Schwepp's Ginger Ale and Jolt Cola. Crystal Geyser water, and ice made with it, too.

SuziJane's would be located at the intersection of Bond Avenue and Duke Street in San Diego. We'd have to have an underground parking garage to accommodate the weekend crowds. Friday would be "by reservation only" from 4:00 to 10:00. Our friends would never be given a check. We'd be the hottest cool place to go in town.

SIGH . . .