thirty is the new... uh... thirty

so i’m thirty!

i’m not sure if i’m “30, flirty and thriving”... but hey, one out of three ain’t bad. j/k

i have plans for a tea party on saturday at Lovejoy’s with a few of my friends and K, but my actual birthday was this past saturday.

my day started with coffee from Starbucks and pastries from Noe Valley Bakery. then, K took me to Silk for a manicure and pedicure, which was a welcome treat for my rough-looking toes. it is like a little bit of heaven going in there! they really do pamper your hands and feet.

after my mani-pedi, K brought me home so i could get ready for dinner. he made reservations at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. i had heard their food was good... but little did i know how superb it was going to be!

our reservations were for 6:15, and since it was raining, K dropped me off so he could find parking (the Baby Lex is tricky to drive, and he doesn't trust the valets to drive it properly). i waited for him for about 20 minutes or so while hordes of people came in and out... the kind folks at RC asked me if i wanted to be seated without him, but i told them i'd wait.

finally, K came in and we were seated with our menus... and we waited another 20 minutes without so much as a nod in our direction. no one came with water or even acknowledged us. we were both starving since we were saving up for a big meal, and i was getting crabby since i basically waited for about 40 minutes to even BEGIN thinking about eating.

so, K got up to complain (and i told him to play the birthday card, which he did)... and the MOST AMAZING MEAL and SERVICE followed:

our server, Desiree, came over and apologized several times (very professionally too, without fawning or ass-kissing). she took our order, and shortly thereafter, the manager came over and also apologized. he then said he was sending over an appetizer on the house!

after we received our drinks (Hogue riesling for me, iced tea for K), water service began, and we had our choice of still or fizzy bottled fancy stuff (also on the house), followed shortly by the bread (very yummy).

THEN... The Most Amazing Appetizer followed: Osso Buco Ravioli!!!!!!! ohhhhhhhh it was soooo yums. the meat was so deliciously tender and seasoned perfectly, and each piece was topped with sauteed spinach. i could feel my crabbiness melting away...

after the appetizer, came our salad, which was the baby arugula with warm bacon dressing. holy crap it was perfect.

still with me?

finally, the star of the caloriefest came: filet mignon, served medium on 500-degree, sizzling hot plates. you haven't had steak if you haven't had it this way. the perfectly seasoned filets (salt, pepper, butter, parsley) came out and were STILL COOKING as they sat on our plates. K remarked how when he cut into his and touched it to his plate, it cooked the meat! magnificent.

for sides (yes, we had sides), we chose their famous au gratin and shoestring potatoes. spectacular.

finally, we had dessert, which was the caramelized banana cream pie. so good, i almost wept.

almost as amazing as the food was the bill. the management had comped not only the appetizer, but ALL the drinks (wine, fancy water, iced tea, coffee) and dessert as well. needless to say, Desiree got a fat tip that night.

in sum, it was one of the most amazing meals i've ever had. hey, you only turn thirty once... might as well do it up right! we'll definitely be going back there again, and i intend to write a letter thanking everyone for the experience.

thanks to everyone for their lovely birthday wishes! i'm not sure that i feel any different, but i am certain that i am SO lucky and grateful to have the love of my family, friends and boyfriend.

here's to the next decade of...? (you fill in the blank)