The lights are low, the candles lit and you're ready to impress that special someone across the table with your gustatory skill. You open the menu, turn the page and realize … it's really dark in the place.
You struggle to read the words on the page. Does that say escargots … or egg rolls? Salad Nicoise … or slaw and claws? Fettuccine Alfredo … or possibly al Franken?
You look up, nervously, and consider the alternatives: One, let that special someone across the table think you can't read. (Shake hands, call it a night.) Two, press your luck and order what looks like Chateaubriand but could actually be Sack "o" bran. (Shake hands, call it a night.) Three, just order whatever they're having at the table next to you. (Those were escargots!)
Some restaurateurs are now stepping in to save us from these dark moments. They know we want the dim, soothing lighting in the dining room. They know how presumptuous — and potentially embarrassing — it would be to offer us a penlight or reading glasses. (Especially when we're seated across the table from that special someone who's not even sure that we can read.)
To read the rest of the story, please go to: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
