Boot & Shoe

I felt kicked to the ground today. It's bad when normal work depart time is between 5 and 6 and I didn't get away until after 7. I knew I'd miss the reading I wanted to go to - a take-off on Malcolm Gladwell's "Blink", so as I exited the bus at close to 8 p.m., my option seemed to be dining alone and the new Grand Avenue Restaurant, "Boot and Shoe Service". I've never dined alone, so this was truly new for me. Luckily, going into one of the hottest new restaurants in the East Bay alone give you a lot of flexibility - like eating at the bar, alone, with about 3o other people.

I placed my book on the counter and immediately struck up a conversation with Octavia, who was just finishing up her pizza. After hearing her recommendation, I ordered an "adult beverage" and the same pizza she had just ordered. I think the drink was called Buddha's hand. Thank you Buddha - that's all I have to say - tart, citrus-y, and it took the proverbial edge off. The pizza was a tasty, thin crust little ditty with Gorgonzola and squash, which was sweet and a nice compliment to the tangyness of the cheese.

I found out that my new dining partner Octavia, had also had a rough day at work, so we commiserated for a bit and then spent the rest of the time chatting.

At the end of my meal we said our good-bye's and I took a nice stroll home (leftover pizza in hand). All and all not a bad end to a crappy day.

• Life Changing: 1 (hardly)
• Fun: 4 (fun!)
• Easy to implement: 1 (easy)
• Worthy of repetition: 5 (absolutely)
• Try This: 5 (try this)
• Cost: 4 (pizza was reasonable, but the cocktail was pricey. Dinner for 1 - tax, tip, food, beverage $30.)