“ What do you do here?” I said to the lady behind the reservation desk.
“ Well, I own the restaurant along with my husband, who cooks in the kitchen. My son, Anthony, will seat you soon.”
So, what was that all about? Vicki and I had gone to the Godfather Restaurant in Claremont to meet our friends, Jerry Madoff and his wife, Dena Plemmons. We were early, and following my opening remark to Maria Balistreri, we had an animated conversation with her about the Godfather. This was after she had pointed to a large portrait of her and her husband, Isidoro, on the wall. This woman was fun and obviously could banter with any customer who walked through her double doors.
Within a couple of minutes, son Anthony showed up, and off we went to our booth. Our waiter Shaheed promptly arrived, and I ordered a martini. When my drink came in a metal martini goblet, I was wary, but as Dena later pointed out, the drink stayed colder longer than it would have in a standard glass.
Jerry and Dena are an exciting couple. They are accomplished professionals who work hard in their fields of psychology and anthropology. Both are passionate about travel and exploring new cultures. Are they foodies? If flying to Chicago to eat at Alinea qualifies them, then I guess they are! Vicki and I visited New Orleans with them some years ago, and it was as if we were on a private culinary tour of that vibrant city!
Where are they going next? Think South Africa for work for Dena and then a Safari. They will cap the trip with some penguin watching in the southern part of the country.
Shaheed came to the table, and we ordered. I had spaghetti all ‘olio e aglio with shrimp while Vicki ordered chicken Fiorentina. We shared Caesar’s salad. I looked around and saw several large parties at long tables as we ate. The mood was festive, and people were enjoying themselves. The Vibe in the Godfather was good. Next to us was a muscular high school student celebrating his birthday with his mother. We urged him to go to college, and his mother was happy.
Too soon, our meal was finished, and we were walking to the parking lot. The restaurant, open for fifty years under the Balistreri family, is a local institution. Why I stopped going there years ago, I don’t know. I do know that I will be back!