Archive for November 5, 2010
The Greenside Cafe and the Hounds of Hello
by John Weckerle
Yesterday evening was one of surprises. The population of New Mexico Central headquarters dropped to one as the primates in the group headed out for dinner at the Greenside Cafe in Cedar Crest. After an incredibly slow drive along Frost Road (we really do need to install photon torpedoes in the vehicle), we arrived at the Greenside a bit before 6 p.m. We were seated immediately, and our drink order was taken. As we waited (not very long) for the beverages, I made casual mention to the other folks at the table of the fact that there seemed to be more people than one might normally expect at that time on a Thursday. The drinks came, and we placed our order, and chatted as more people entered the restaurant. Our server, Susan, described the specials in full detail. The others in the group were unpersuaded. They knew what they wanted when they walked in the door – a favorite is, after all, a favorite – and ordered the small version of the meatloaf (we have to wonder how many cows it takes to make the large portion). Your editor, who was persuaded, ordered the Thursday Steamers (clams in a white sauce over pasta) and a cup of the vegetarian soup du jour, a roasted tomato basil soup. The soup came along, as did more people through the door. The soup was delicious – a little thicker than some tomato soups, hearty, and properly proportioned. What we mean by “properly proportioned” is that a cup of soup was ordered, and it came in something that was approximately the size of a cup. We understand that some restaurants try to be generous with the soup, providing a vat of it when a cup is ordered – but when many of us order a cup of soup before a meal, it’s often because we want a bit of soup before the meal. Bring a vat when we order a bowl, and that is fine, but a cup is a cup. We appreciated that the Greenside understands this.