Eating with strangers
Went to Sitka and Spruce for dinner last night - this is the second time that we've been there now, and the second time that we've eaten in a "communal table". The resturant is on of the mostly highly talked about new places in Seattle over the last year or so - every review I've read is raving about how good it is, etc. The weird part is that there are literally 5 tables in the place - 4 4-seaters and one larger table. This larger table is usually "communal" - there will be a group of 3, a couple couples, etc. Last night the large table was reserved (the only way to get reservations is for a group 5 or larger, then they will save the big table for you) - and all of the 4-tops had people sitting at them... What I didn't realize that when I said "yes, we're ok with a communal table" was they meant to put us at a 4-top table with another couple. It actually was a lot less weird/awkward than I expected - though I guess it's sort of similar to if/when you go to a dinner party and are sitting next to people that you don't already know.
Anyway, to the important part :) The Food. This place is quite good, shockingly so if you take into account the setting (random strip mall between a Subway and a teriyaki joint). I got the brisket (again) and it was excellent - falling apart tender and incredibly flavorful. Clodagh had guinea fowl which also was really nice - to me it was the perfect mix of done/juicy. Next time I'll get something other than brisket, I swear :)