bandera.

Bandera is one of those restaurants that holds many loving memories for me.  It was my go-to restaurant for a few years for just about everything from girl fab fests, to date nights, to let's-just-grab-drinks, to a suitable place to bring parents who were visiting from out of town.  Good food, relatively affordable, no corkage fee, and a boisterous atmosphere I can only describe as being not quite as stuffy as an old-time steakhouse, and mixed with a hint of a modern wintry cabin.  Dimly lit, lots of wood, the scent of meat in the air.

It has been a few years since I've been to Bandera, but for my friend Jase's much-belated birthday dinner, I figured it was as good a spot as any.  He has never been there and because I've made it a point to avoid dining at new establishments without Daniel's presence, I wouldn't be violating that personal pact of mine.  Win-win for both of us.



[Beef ribs, ordered off-the-menu, with spinach and mashed potatoes.  Really basic, but still highly recommended.]



Anyhow.  Bandera.  The site for many lovely conversations, laughs, and over-stuffed bellies.  Amazingly enough, the restaurant was still jam-packed with patrons, even though reservations were for 9 pm on a Wednesday!  My tradition of having positive experiences at Bandera remained intact and Jase and I had a wonderful time catching up, chowing down, and enjoying all Bandera has to offer.   I have known him for what feels like forever, from the days of our youth when we had braces and our parents drove us around to sporting events.  I couldn't help but admire the progression of our conversations throughout the years, from college choices, to career choices, to future spousal choices (one of the subjects that came up during last night's dinner; gasp!). 

The older I get, the more I have learned to truly appreciate the simple things in life:  time to relax; a good meal; great friends; wine.  Those days of  debauchery and waking up confused and lost are numbered, and I suspect that there are only a handful left.  I'm reserving them, saving them to be doled out carefully.  To be honest, I didn't think I would attain this sense of peace and calm during my mid-twenties, nor did I think that I would actually like this lifestyle.  If I am really honest, I will admit that I'm only able to be in this state of mind because I'm finally in a steady and healthy relationship - one that is undramatic and one that actually works.  Yippee.


I can't wait for more of the same to keep on repeating itself.