DEBRIS.COMgood for a laugh, or possibly an aneurysm

It took about 150 phone calls, but I managed to get reservations for dinner at the French Laundry (regarded by many as one of the best restaurants in the country). This ridiculously difficult process has been documented in detail elsewhere… in short, you have to call at exactly 10:00 AM two months to the day before the night you want to eat there.

I started speed-dialing at about 9:55 AM, and got through at ten past. They had one opening left. Yes, that means the entire restaurant had been booked (except for the 9:00 PM table they’d offered me) in ten minutes. This was for a Sunday night reservation.

Then the agent listed the attire restrictions: No jeans. No shorts. No tennis shoes. Suit jackets are required. I was about to inquire sarcastically whether a certain hairstyle was necessary as well, but decided I had too much to lose. Maybe I can get some cufflinks made that say “Question Authority.”

So we’re gearing up for a fancy dinner next weekend. By that I mean, we went out to buy me a suit jacket. Clearly this will be the most expensive dinner I’ve ever had, because I’ve already spent about $200 and I haven’t even arrived at the restaurant.