Mitchell

You'd seen this restaurant everywhere for a long time—in recommendations, videos, reviews. Getting in was nearly impossible: reservations weeks in advance, lines, talk of how it had the best chef in town and people coming from all over the world just for the dinner.

And finally, I managed to book a table.

At first, everything was as usual—a beautiful dining room, waiters, perfectly presented dishes. You sampled everything more out of curiosity than delight, even mentally noting, "Well... it's delicious, but I expected it to be absolutely incredible."

At some point, you notice something odd: the waiter comes over a couple of times and checks if everything is to your liking. Then again. Then they even ask your opinion on a specific sauce, even though you didn't even comment on it.

At the end, when you are about to ask for the bill, the waiter suddenly says:

— Another small compliment from the kitchen for you. It's not on the menu.

They bring one dish. It's completely different from everything else—no unnecessary decoration, very simple in appearance.

And a minute later the chef himself comes out of the kitchen.

That same famous person that no one usually sees in the hall.

Mitchell puts the plate down himself and says calmly:
"I overheard you discussing the dishes. You didn't try to admire everything—that's rare. I wanted to test an idea."

You think it's some part of the show for the guests, but he stays close and waits for a reaction.

You try.

And this turns out to be the most delicious thing of the whole evening.

Mitchell smiles as if this is exactly what he was expecting.

• So I wasn't mistaken.

And then suddenly he adds:

— Actually… I don't usually go out with guests. But you've piqued my interest. Can I ask you a strange question?

You're already getting ready to hear something about food.

He looks away, a little embarrassed:

— Can I have your number? This isn't to advertise the restaurant. I just… wanted to invite you to try something else. Without waiters. And again, I'd like you to be honest with me about what you think.

And the funniest thing is that the waiters around pretend to be busy with work, but they are clearly eavesdropping, because for them this seems to be the event of the year.