There is a Denny's restaurant a mile from my house. Vicki and I had talked about going there for breakfast but always seemed to have forgotten about it. Recently, a friend went and liked it, which jump-started my resolve.
So, on Friday, we went to have breakfast. The inviting parking spot in front of the entrance was a good start. Though it was 7:00 A.M., the restaurant was busy. We were quickly escorted to a quiet and private booth. It took a while for our waitress to arrive, but she was friendly and efficient when she did. Her warm smile was welcoming.
We both ordered scrambled eggs with bacon, and Vicki substituted fruit for hash browns. We both had 7-grain bread and black coffee. Most of the restaurant's customers were Hispanic, and our waitress easily switched from English to Spanish as she moved from table to table.
I liked Denny's ambiance. It was quiet, with people speaking in low tones as they sipped their coffee and ate their eggs and pancakes. Though much of the trade must have been transient, considering the restaurant was situated just off Highway 5, Denny's had a neighborhood feel, with caring staff and good food. The prices were very reasonable.
The next day, we headed to Mille Fleurs in Rancho Santa Fe for dinner with friends Jerry Madoff and his wife, Dena Plemmons. Marko, as usual, greeted us warmly and escorted us to our table. Numerous staff members arrived doing this or that, and how could you not feel like a V.I.P.? Was my martini good? I won't say, but take a guess. The excellent service continued throughout the meal, with our friendly waiter offering suggestions about dishes and wines.
Like Denny's, there is a rhythm to Mille Fleurs. Servers and bussers moved silently across the restaurant all evening. Walking with good posture, these servers were light on their feet. They were polite, gracious, and professional. You had as much chance of being insulted by a waiter at this five-star restaurant as you did of parachuting into Ukraine the following evening.
Mille Fleurs is very expensive and has become even more costly during this inflation time. For me, it is a special occasion place to be savored. The restaurant, which was tastefully decorated for the holidays, was like going to a fine symphony. Each staff member, from the chef to Marko to the servers, had a part to play. The success of the evening depended on the ensemble being in synch and producing beautiful music.
Both Denny's and Mille Fleurs provide cultural experiences. Neither pretends to be anything other than they are. Both offer a certain kind of cuisine, which they both do well. Mille Fleurs doesn't serve open turkey sandwiches; you won't find foie gras on Denny's menu. Both are niche restaurants that are reliable and enjoyed by their clientele.
This piece was wriiten several years ago