One Dead Dog

It’s my birthday tomorrow and as I am leaving Auckland for points south and family celebrations we adjourned to Ponsonby Road for dinner to celebrate slightly early. We being, Me, Sis, Perez, Croak, Blue and Lorry (Blue’s Husband).

Given that I am an organized soul who likes to plan ahead I had consulted A Certain Person as to suggested venues for Birthday Celebrations and was pointed in the direction of here. I chose the restaurant and made an online booking. Having received my confirmation email indicating that the plan was moving along in the right direction no suspicions were aroused as to this place being A Bad Idea…

Today I rang the restaurant and told them that the numbers would be reduced. The Person On The End of the phone was very polite, said this would be fine and advised that the menu was a bit limited this evening. Apparently there were issues with their suppliers and that not Everything on the menu would be available. Hmmm a certain indication of Trouble Afoot …”The Menu Will be A Bit Limited This Evening”. However, I felt that he implied that all would be ok.

Perez and I arrived a little early so as to be there when everyone else arrived and noticed a sign on the door of the Restaurant.

“Closing at 8pm for stocktake.”

[Jaw Dropping Awe]

The restaurant was EMPTY … One table for 6 was set … and our booking was for 7.30 and so we would have had half an hour to order and eat…

“What The?????”

Croak went inside and had a wee chat to the Maitre d’ and we did a bit of a scout to find alternate venues… All the while trying to touch base with Blue and Lorry and Sis who were coming together and due to Babysitter Issues, were running late…

Well, we decided to eat at Troy instead, given that it wasn’t too far from the Red Dog and made our way upstairs for dinner. Still mystified that the Dog never told us we would be much better to find an alternative… I think because I had booked from Australia they felt as though I wasn’t actually a legitimate booking and so weren’t actually expecting us!!!

Troy was an acceptable alternative…

After an hysterical game of spot the spelling mistakes on the menu we ordered from a variety of Turkish, Italian and New Zealand meals on offer.

The plates came piled high, the food was good (not incredible, just good) but halfway through our conversations the restaurant lights suddenly dimmed and the disco ball started a frantic turn giving the distinct impression of a UFO trying to avoid a crash landing.

The Music Started… a LOUD, Cranking rendition of “Happy Birthday to You” Sounding freakishly like some 70’s disco hits party cd.

Ghastly.

I shrank low into my chair, peeking through my fingers hoping desperately that the cake and candles coming up behind me were going to keep walking past…

The waiter in the leopard print shirt, a size or two too small, slowed down to show me the cake 2 candles… both of them the number 2.

Definitely not my cake.

A sigh of relief was expelled and on we went with dinner.

Conversation was fairly offspring heavy, Perez and I the only non-parents there but we managed well enough, Perez is a teacher and I a former nanny so I can Kidspeak with the best of them…

The bottom of the last glass of wine approaches and thoughts turn to coffee and perhaps the dessert menu and so a quick trip to the ladies is in order. This accomplished, Blue and I adjourn to back to the others. After a quick stop at the kitchen on the way to inquire of the waiter where he got his fantastic leopard shirt (here) we take our places back at the table just in time for the lights to dim…

And to clear the disco ball for take off,

Cue ’70’s party mix …

‘Happy Birthday to Dee…”

*Blush* It isn’t even my birthday today…