Overwhelmed by off-property hotel choices

[TP2000]

Oh @JustAFan , you I like. You should sit over here, next to me. I've got a tab running...

Well what about you? You give a peek into partial details, but leave us hanging. Who took your seat? Did you recognize her?

Her name is Kaitlyn. She is at once every 30 year old white woman in Orange County, and at the same time she is absolutely no one.

Was there potential for romance?

Not for all the money in the world or all the Botox in Irvine.

Why is the bartender ignoring her? Is he busy working? Does he know her and not like her?

Because the bartender knows instintively she is as boring as her slightly damp cocktail napkin. Actually, the slightly damp cocktail napkin is a better conversationalist. He's busy, but not really. He knows her type but doesn't know her. He is not a stupid man. Most bartenders are very smart.

What's wrong with her? Is she trying to drink her troubles away all by herself at a hotel bar while others enjoy fireworks and entertainment?

Nothing is technically wrong with her. Despite a decent income she has a 655 credit rating (mostly because her credit mix is all wrong and her Nordstrom card has been maxed out since 2008), she lives in a 3-Bedroom-Plus-Den shoebox McMansion in Ladera Ranch, her husband Todd just made Director at the cubicle farm, and she is leasing a Lexus RX350 with a sunroof that she or Todd could never afford to actually buy. On Instagram her life looks fabulous.

In reality, yes she is drinking her troubles away all by herself at the hotel bar while Todd sits downstairs in the lobby sportsbar watching the game and the kids are secretly racking up huge Genie+ fees in Tomorrowland.

Don't even ask about Todd. His story gets pretty dark, pretty fast.

Did the bartender once have a relationship with her that went sour when she left him for a college kid that wears a mouse costume in his intern job and when he followed her to the area he regretted it because he left a good job and now she's trying to reconcile but his heart is in too much pain? What is it?

The bartender is cute enough that he remains untouchable in this situation. Leave the bartender alone. This is about her. And she's still in my seat.

 

[TP2000]

@TP2000 @Darkbeer1 Any nice hotel or dining recommendations in the DLR area for a wedding anniversary? Something classy. You both have an encyclopedia of knowledge

Hmm.... Wedding Anniversary.

You might check out The Ranch on Ball Road. It's far enough away from the Resort that you feel like you are in normal America, but it's also a nice place. It can get kind of clubby on weekends though with couples coming for fancy Date Nites and to dance. But the food is fantastic, and the vibe is definitely not Disneyland. And on an anniversary night you might want to ask your lady to dance.

THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon

THE RANCH Restaurant, Saloon, and Events Center is located in Anaheim.

www.theranch.com

Or, closer to Disneyland but also not touristy is either Ruth's Chris or Morton's.

My top pick for a date night goes to Ruth's Chris, as Morton's can seem too businesslike for a romantic event like an anniversary. (Morton's at night can often get business packs of execs celebrating the big sale, instead of canoodling couples in the corner, but it is also formal and classy. My heart leads me to Ruth's Chris for a date night.) The Anaheim Ruth's Chris is modern, with lots of glass and drama lighting in the evening that can be romantic. Exceptional food and service at either one.

Pro Tip Wherever You Choose To Dine: When you make the reservation, make sure to note that it's your anniversary. It would also be helpful to phone the restaurant two days ahead of time (late afternoon around 4pm when the hostess isn't too busy yet - don't bug her during her busy peak hours) and confirm the reservation over the phone and then casually mention that you just wanted to double check because it's your wedding anniversary. That way, they'll do what they can to make the evening go extra-smooth.

Ruth's Chris Steak House | Anaheim, California

Dine at Anaheim's top-rated steak house. Experience exquisite steaks, exceptional service, and an unforgettable dining atmosphere.

www.ruthschris.com

 

[JustAFan]

Oh @JustAFan , you I like. You should sit over here, next to me. I've got a tab running...



Her name is Kaitlyn. She is at once every 30 year old white woman in Orange County, and at the same time she is absolutely no one.



Not for all the money in the world or all the Botox in Irvine.



Because the bartender knows instintively she is as boring as her slightly damp cocktail napkin. Actually, the slightly damp cocktail napkin is a better conversationalist. He's busy, but not really. He knows her type but doesn't know her. He is not a stupid man. Most bartenders are very smart.



Nothing is technically wrong with her. Despite a decent income she has a 655 credit rating (mostly because her credit mix is all wrong and her Nordstrom card has been maxed out since 2008), she lives in a 3-Bedroom-Plus-Den shoebox McMansion in Ladera Ranch, her husband Todd just made Director at the cubicle farm, and she is leasing a Lexus RX350 with a sunroof that she or Todd could never afford to actually buy. On Instagram her life looks fabulous.

In reality, yes she is drinking her troubles away all by herself at the hotel bar while Todd sits downstairs in the lobby sportsbar watching the game and the kids are secretly racking up huge Genie+ fees in Tomorrowland.

Don't even ask about Todd. His story gets pretty dark, pretty fast.



The bartender is cute enough that he remains untouchable in this situation. Leave the bartender alone. This is about her. And she's still in my seat.