Dinner at Dan Ryan's

The dining experience at Dan Ryan's yesterday evening was out of this world. I cannot remember the last place I've been to where the service was so friendly, prompt and helpful. It must have been still in America!

The staff took the trouble to ask how the food was and to say little things like "Enjoy". They were quick to fill up our glasses of water and bothered to check with the kitchen to answer our questions. To top it off, it was calm and quiet in the restaurant -- most stress-relieving on a Monday night.

We ordered a cup of the soup of the day (good), a cup of chilli (oh the memories of the south! the melted cheese! crackers and onions!), and half a BBQ chicken (okay, a bit dry). The food came with a warm basket of bread. There were three types of bread in the basket -- french loaf, corn bread and a walnut muffin -- so good with the whipped butter they gave! I would have been happy just having side dishes there, they were that good.

I had an excellent evening out in more ways than one. I'll definitely be going back. Meanwhile, I'm going to try to cook chilli at home. Does anyone have a recipe to share?