The nicest evening out...great gift idea for Mom & Dad

Sat, 8 Nov 2008 13:30:18 -0500

One fall evening a couple years ago, I surprised my husband Mark with a dinner out. The place was just as rare as the event. We build swimming pools in Central Florida, so these dinner dates hadn’t materialized for us in months.

After a busy summer, it was finally starting to cool down in the evening. We rejoice when we dip into the 80’s. That day I realized we hadn’t spent hardly any time all summer just relaxing in our own beautiful backyard. It was time the Pool Man and I enjoyed our own sunset by our own pool. Finally!

Welcome to The Hillside Cafe. I decided the restaurant will be our own backyard, and our crew will be our four eager young kids!

Troops in order. The Slaby Four, Margo, Erik, Benj and Annika stood ready. The kids and I conquered the house after weeks of neglect. We dolled up the house and yard for fall. We hit WalMart and picked up some scarecrows and pumpkins to replace our old worn out ones. We set up a table and torches by the pool. The kids unearthed the classiest attire of black dress pants / skirts and white dress shirts to look the part of a five-star restaurant. Armed with aprons, notepads, trays and spatulas, they were ready to serve.

I pre-assembled a meatloaf and left the salad, potatoes and vegetables for the kitchen staff to prepare. The ready and able staff, made menus, set a beautiful table remembering every detail down to the cloth napkins and name cards. We were SET!

Now it was time to transform me into something worthy of this high-class venue. When Mark came home, I did just what any wife would do...told him before we left he had to go out back and look at the pool because there was definitely something wrong with the pump. It HAD to be fixed before we left!

Being the good sport he USUALLY is, Mark wandered out to the backyard. SURPRISE! The wait staff and kitchen crew greeted him with hugs and big smiles and invited him to dinner at their Hillside Cafe. From that point on Mark and I did not have to lift a finger. They did everything. They even serenaded us with their violins. It was for sure, the best evening we have ever spent “out.”

Since then we have gone back to The Hillside Cafe only couple of times. Last night was one of them. This time, the crew set us up on the back deck in front of the outdoor fireplace. They now know how to operate the gas grill and made us burgers and beans. Mom and Dad didn’t have to get up once!

The crew has gotten a little more casual than that first evening---looking a little more “Slacker” than “Five-Star” but they maintain the same attention to detail and respect for their special guests. We did have to send off a couple staff members from taking their breaks in the “dining” area though.

I bet you have a restaurant just like this in your own backyard too! It’s a MUST DO!

That reminds me...I think we forgot to tip them! Better get on that!

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The nicest evening out...great gift idea for Mom & Dad