Every once or twice in a lifetime, you have an incredible experience at a restaurant. Enough to where it is slightly unbelievable, and you want to write an essay about it. I've had that experience, and ironically, it wasn't the newest and coolest, nor could anybody, I think, claim a Michelin Award. It was at the table of an old friend. I've gone to Augusta Grill for lunches, etc., through the years. They didn't take American Express ( they do now), and my husband worked for them, so his business dinners, lunches, and our love of points always took us elsewhere. We love restaurants. Probably too much. My husband tells me that we keep the kitchen for resell value, which is not true. I am Italian, and I love to cook and show love to my family by feeding them. But we are now retired and have been traveling so much lately.
It was a weeknight, and we decided to go to Augusta Grill. We didn't have reservations, and instead of a frown, we got a big smile from the young hostess, who quickly found us a table. We soon realized how blessed we were to have been assigned Randy as our waiter. He was the epitome of a perfect waiter. I don't know how long he's worked there or how they got him. But he would be called an absolute score for any restaurant or business. He was so intuitive and continually exceeded our expectations. First of all, let me say before I forget that the food is and was phenomenal. Not just the entree but every single accompaniment. The green beans were delicious. The squash casserole was to die for. Nothing was over-spiced or over-saused. It was just naturally delicious. The crab cakes are indescribable. And to top it all off, we ordered an unknown Riesling wine. It was not an expensive wine, but it came to us incredibly ice cold, and it was so delicious and refreshing. It is now our new favorite wine. I love olives and quickly devoured the small cup that is still their signature addition to fluffy butter and a great soft crusty bread. Upon noticing the quickly emptied cup, Randy brought a much larger bowl of olives to the table. He was my new best friend.
The best part of the evening began with the arrival of an underdone beautiful piece of fillet. We politely sent it back to cook it a little bit more. This somehow triggered the next course of events. Then came profuse apologies and a cup of soup not requested so my husband would not have to stare at me eating with nothing on his plate. From then on, they checked with us often and tried to make amends for something many would consider trivial. I would personally rather have an undercooked than an overcooked steak. But to them, it was so important that we were happy. I would never say that Augusta Grill is inexpensive, but they always thankfully have small plates that are pretty affordable. I now think that maybe it's their way of welcoming all. I will confess that we have paid 3 to 4 times our bill in restaurants with all kinds of acclimates and glowing full-page magazine reviews, but I have rarely felt so special and have been more pleased with every part of our meals.
If Randy wasn't enough, Clay, the manager, came out. He's part of the original family. You could tell he genuinely loved the restaurant. When we told him how happy we were, there was a genuine chest-puffed-out sense of pride that you only see when sometimes compliments one of your children. I told him how much I loved their almond-crusted trout but didn't know which night they served it. I confessed that years ago, I came every Friday for lunch because it was always their special that day. He offered to make it for me anytime with advanced notice without hesitation. I do not doubt that if I call him, he definitely would, and I intend to do so.
So again, how can they give them ten stars on a 5-point scale? I hope that my account of the evening will add the extra points. I want to send out a heartfelt thanks to Randy, Clay, and the young hostess. We're adding the restaurant to our rotation and will request Randy. We also hope that now that the secret's out, the rest of the world will not be requesting Randy as well, and he will still have time to wait on us.
Sincerely, Jim and Mary Ann Bennett
Thanks, Mary Ann Bennett read more