Last weekend some friends and I went out to dinner to celebrate a birthday at The Black Bear in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado. I am, by no stretch, any kind of foodie so forgive me if I have to skip the formal review. The menu is basically chef’s choice and after the waitstaff records any dislikes, allergies, etc. from your table, you are left with your wine and the anticipation of what may be coming next. I am sure there is a real, culinary-type name for this style of dining. I do not know what that might be. It was truly a unique experience for me as my adventures in dining often don’t reach beyond the hot bar at Whole Foods. I know, I need to be better, more adventurous, but without encouragement to try new things, I really don’t think about it.
When my friend told me about this restaurant, I was immediately intrigued. While I’ve had enough multiple course meals in my life to at least know which utensil to use, I’d never quite experienced a meal in this way. I was intrigued, but also a little intimidated. It all seemed very grown-up, and who’d have thought that at almost thirty I would still view a lot of things from the mindset of someone who is not only still sitting at the kids’ table, but is actually quite comfortable there, thank you. I can’t help but feel I’m on the outside looking in.
From the moment we took our seats, though, I was refreshed. We talked at our table about everything from siblings to work ethic to sports and beyond. It wasn’t even my birthday, but I had to keep from getting too excited at how wonderful the evening was going. I couldn’t help but compare the difference of friends getting together over food and wine now to what life seems to have been just a couple of years ago. Imagine, you can have a glass of wine with each course (six) and still keep the conversation to a dull roar. I guess it’s hard to explain, because it makes it sound like every experience of mine leading up to now involved a keg and pizza delivery, but something in the evening and the enjoyment that came from it triggered a feeling in me.
Although beer and pizza still sounds like a great time, that night out helped me realize how remarkable an experience it really is to get older. To learn, to grow wiser, and to do that with good people around you. It’s good to grow into a place where you can wake up with good memories instead of exhaustion, and that’s okay. Knowing you don’t have to choose between one or the other, but rather you can appreciate both is probably the best part of all.
And next week, when I’m regressing back again for the sake of being carefree and relaxation, please feel free to remind me I’m a grown-up.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
And how was the food? What did you have?
It sounds like an entirely pleasant evening and I’ll bet there wasn’t even any sports showing on an overhead tv.
This sounds divine (says the girl whose is presently eating a meal from the Whole Foods hot bar….)
Please tell me there are pictures of what the chef created for you.
No pictures of the food? It sounds like a fun and interesting evening. Being a grown up doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun.
That sounds absolutely AWESOME! I’ve never been to a restaurant like that, but it is so on my list now…
There is a restaurant here like that I’ve been wanting to try. It sounds like so much fun!
Late to the party I know, but I will have to return to Green Mountain Falls this fall. I spent an hour or so there last fall (http://maryjanejeff.blogspot.com/2008/09/colorado-trip-report-1-real-back-roads.html) but my hour wasn’t quite as fun! If you get back into running again, head there for some hills. Even steeper than Manitou!