We’ve had crazy dates nights before – but this one took the cake.
KOMO 4 TV’s Elizabeth Dinh had a proposal for us: Go on a date to a place we gave rave reviews to, and they would film and interview us on the date. So, we picked The Matador Restaurant & Tequila Bar in Redmond, which is reminiscent of Antonio Banderas in the Mask of Zorro.
I’ll admit, we were nervous. Who wouldn’t be? Of course, I had a last minute wardrobe malfunction and Hubby came to the rescue. My brown tank top, an integral piece of my outfit…was missing. He instantly plucked a tank top from my closet and saved the day. I don’t know how he found it, but it was like a slow motion replay of a baseball home run. Huge points for Hubby.
In the car I rehearsed the questions Elizabeth would ask us, and Hubby told me to shut up – lovingly of course. “You’ll do fine!” he said; and put some Michael Buble on the car stereo. “But what if I get food in my teeth, and don’t know it – or what if I twist my ankle in these 4 inch heels?!”
“You’re a journalist. You interview people. This isn’t anything new to you.” He reassured me, patting my leg.
When we arrived in the swarming parking lot of the ever-popular Matador, I reminded myself to breath; and we did our best to look normal and calm as we walked to the brick building entrance. As I reached for the door, I saw the real person behind the camera – Elizabeth Dinh, and Matt, the KOMO Cameraman. They looked like normal, nice people. That made me feel better. I reached out my hand and introduced myself, as Elizabeth and Matt walked toward us. I completely forgot to introduce Hubby, so he introduced himself.
As we walked in, Nik, General Manager of The Matador met us just behind the famous entryway curtain. He led us to our booth in the corner of the restaurant – the brightest spot in the place. About 150 eyes watched us as we sat down. No pressure, just act normal, I told myself.
“Is this where you would like us to sit?” Hubby asked. Elizabeth was talking to The Cameraman, and motioned to the side facing away from the window. Hubby was on the side against the window, next to me. So, he got up and sat at the other side.
“Honey – she wants you to sit here!” he said out of the corner of his mouth. I got up and joined him. Elizabeth sat across from us and joined us on our date.
“This should be pretty quick. I’m just going to ask you a few questions,” she said. At that moment, she reminded me of a nurse I knew as a kid who said, “This won’t hurt a bit” – as she held up a shiny seven inch needle and prepared to stab me with it.
Elizabeth picked me to talk first, and hooked a wireless mic onto my shirt. Oh boy, here goes, I told myself.
Our waitress was like a friendly next door neighbor. She brought us the customary Matador bowl of chips and salsa. I felt like I knew her from somewhere; but I think it was because she had that quality of making people feel comfortable. In fact, I almost wanted to run back to the kitchen with her, due to my nervousness. I’m sure she would have hugged me and given me a cup of tea – but I had to deal with this like a big girl.
“Would you like to order something to drink?” She asked, doing her best to avoid the camera.
“You don’t want to be on camera?” I asked.
“No” She didn’t hesitate. We all laughed.
Hubby and I felt like something refreshing and summery, despite the chilly March wind outside. We ordered two strawberry lemonades at an amazing price – $2 each!
When she brought them to the table, I guzzled mine down – while Hubby’s sat a foot away from him on the table. As Elizabeth and I talked, I felt more and more like I was talking to a friend. Pretty soon, I forgot the camera was rolling. Well…almost. My eyebrow was still trying to do the nervous twitch thing, but I ignored it as best I could.
As we talked, Hubby added a few things here and there – but not being hooked up to a mic made it difficult for Matt to hear him.
“Now that we’ve talked to Christy – let’s put the mic on you now,” Elizabeth said. Hubby gulped and cleared his throat. “Okay.” His chin was turned up a little and his lips were pursed. He always does that when he’s nervous. I think it’s cute.
This is about how hungry Hubby was
During the interview, we ordered. I went for the Spicy Chicken Sandwich ($9.95) and Hubby ordered the Matador Burrito ( $9.50)
When our food arrived, I was almost full from inhaling my strawberry lemonade. I looked at the plate…a massive helping of crispy, spiced fries and bacon-topped chicken breast, all cozied up in a fluffy toasted bun. Yum. Hubby’s burrito was buried in a melted canvas of jack & cheddar cheese. He looked like he was about to attack it.
Consistent with our last experience, the food was memorable and delicious. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and flavors blended well. It was tender – and thank God I didn’t get any pieces of fat, because Matt had the camera lens about a foot from my face the whole time I was eating. Mom – if you’re reading this, be glad you taught me table manners, because they were put to the test last Friday night. Let me tell you!
All was well, and we were concluding the interview/date night when Hubby exclaimed with intense passion:
“This is the best burrito I have ever had in my entire life”
That’s when things went silent. All eyes were on me: The woman who has made Hubby almost 16 years worth of homemade, from scratch burritos…and Matador goes and steals my place in the spotlight.
“What?!” I was incredulous.
“It is!’ He said.
“THE best burrito you’ve ever had?” I asked, verifying that I heard him correctly.
Then, he realized it and started to back pedal, but it was too late by then. Matt was jumping around, getting a close-up…probably of Hubby mouthing the words: “No, I meant best restaurant burrito.”
So, alas, Hubby now has to get ALL of his burritos at Matador from now on. Not really, but I do admit, I am a bit jealous of them getting the ultimate compliment from Hubby himself. My burritos will always feel lame compared to Matador’s now. Oh well, at least I can dream. Matador, what is your secret to making such earth-shattering burritos? I would be thrilled to learn.
We chatted with Elizabeth for a few more minutes about how to make Pho in detail (She’s of Vietnamese heritage). She did an excellent Texan News Announcer impression (she’s also a former Texan). She was easy to talk to, and did her best to put us at ease. But I don’t think anyone on camera is ever completely at ease….that’s just the way it usually goes.
Hubby, KOMO 4 News Reporter Elizabeth Dinh, KOMO 4 News Cameraman, and me!
Our order with two drinks, a big bowl of chips and salsa, two entrees, and a 20% tip with the Passport Unlimited card came to $21.74. Not bad at all. $20 Dollar Date Night doubters – there’s the proof!
As we walked out, we asked when the show would air.
“Sometime between April and May, but I will let you know as soon as I know,” She said.
As Hubby pulled out of our parking spot he said, “Oh my gosh, did you feel me shivering uncontrollably next to you?”
“What?” I asked.
“Yeah. I was doing fine until they stuck that camera right up on us while we were talking, and then I just freaked out.”
“No, I didn’t really notice,” I said laughing.
“But hey – we survived,” Hubby said. “And you did great.”
“Thank you,” I said. “And by the way, I’m gonna put that burrito comment on my blog.”
Ratings:
Atmosphere (romantic appeal): 5. Very cool place. If you haven’t been here, you gotta go.
Food: 5. Our second time here, and food was just as good as last time. Hubby says it was better. But we’re not going to talk about that (see Hubby’s faux pas above).
Budget Friendly: 4 .It’s not surprising that this place is always packed-the portions are huge and prices are very affordable, even without a coupon.
Fun and Unique: 5! Hmmm…I don’t know if being on camera and having all eyes on us was unique enough…
Memorable: 5. This goes down in date night history. It was fun and scary and energizing all at the same time.
