The excellent adventure was all thanks to the calm restaurant personnel, who knew just how to deal with a difficult situation with grace. I wish everyone<\/em> in that industry would learn from them.<\/p>\n We noticed this interesting artifact outside on the grounds when we finally exited. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Alice (whose comments are the ones in quotes from here on out,) and I were actually at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant at the Van Nuys Airport for an interesting airline party. But, because too many entities had gotten involved with the invitations, it was overrun with a plethora of guests. And they were all in gowns! I’m not great with crowds to begin with, and we were hungry. We were supposed to be at a private dinner party that was part of the evening, but that room was already packed, too, (we were not late\u2014just everyone else came really early, apparently,) so we were about to just leave, very disappointed in the outcome of the evening. But the place itself, and the hostess, Karen, were so inviting that we just started talking to her and Kelly, Debi, and Roxanna, the lovely women who run the place.<\/p>\n They explained that they were accommodating the overflow private banquet room dinner guests in the restaurant proper, and invited us to dine there. Well, they didn’t have to ask us twice!<\/p>\n The view from our corner booth, at the tail end of the night. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n We noticed several other people we know doing the same thing, but we opted to sit in a cozy booth by ourselves, so we could get a real<\/em> feel for the place. And the experience was truly delightful, on every level!<\/p>\n It was charming, cozy, and warm, especially with the fireplace going. And the entire staff could not have been nicer or more accommodating. Alice noted, \u201cThis is a really great date place. In addition to the cozy interior<\/em>, the outside<\/em> has a really great vibe, with a view of the planes.\u201d And there’s a \u201cpilot’s table\u201d in one room, where they host pilots…from World War II! I’d love to hear those<\/em> stories!<\/p>\n The top-notch service continued with Ismael, our waiter, who was so attentive. Alice commented that \u201cwhatever we needed, he was there, making sure we were served everything exactly right.\u201d<\/p>\n So, let’s get to the delish food already!<\/p>\n French Onion Soup. Photo by Alice Farinas.<\/p><\/div>\n We didn’t order a lot<\/em> of different menu items to tell you about, because we weren’t there to review the place, per se, but what we did<\/em> sample, we enjoyed. [Note: And since we had no idea we were doing this when we left for the evening, neither one of us brought a good camera, so please forgive us that our photos aren’t fabulous this time.]<\/p>\n We began with the \u201cexquisite\u201d French Onion Soup, which Alice said was \u201cso perfect on a cold California evening.\u201d She added that \u201cthis is the place to get it the original way.\u201d It was absolutely perfect, with just the right taste and texture, and the perfect amount of cheese and bread.<\/p>\n Then Alice moved on to the Chicken Lettuce Wraps appetizer, which she said was \u201ca really nice choice, and great fun to put together.\u201d I’ve never seen it on a menu other than of a Chinese place before, so it was a good surprise.<\/p>\n Mixed Green Salad. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n With my new stricter way of eating, I was thrilled with my Mixed Green Salad featuring apples and candied walnuts. (But I had to make it minus the blue cheese crumbles, which I’m sure would have added a lot to it, but it was excellent without them.) I opted for just oil and vinegar, rather than the raspberry vinaigrette that it’s usually served with, and it was still very tasty that way.<\/p>\n Then came the wonderful entrees. I had been treated to a lot of birthday dinners around town that week (and<\/em> the one before, too!,) and let me tell you–the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant’s entrees were the most generous ones I encountered.<\/p>\n The very first thing my eyes went to when I opened the menu was the Blackened Swordfish, and I was very happy with it. I had actually been trying to find swordfish on other menus for all my b-day meals, (because I can’t<\/em> eat meat anymore, I don’t<\/em> eat other fish, and I’m sick<\/em> of chicken,) with not much luck. Someone told me that swordfish is not \u201cin vogue\u201d anymore, but that’s just nutty. I’m so glad the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant is above that nonsense.<\/p>\n The Blackened Swordfish. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n It was served with grilled pineapple relish mashed potatoes (that I believe had a hint of garlic,) and fresh veggies. There’s usually a lemon butter sauce for those of you who would like that. I wanted it just grilled in olive oil, and it was perf that way.<\/p>\n Alice went with the \u201cyummy\u201d Fresh Salmon, that she said was \u201cnot fishy at all.\u201d She loved that it was \u201cso moist and tasty.\u201d It was accompanied by papaya relish, and came with rice pilaf (which was actually \u201cvery tasty\u201d basmati rice that night, which she said was done with a \u201crisotto twist\u201d) and fresh green beans. She said she \u201ccan’t wait to come back for it again.\u201d<\/p>\n You would think that we didn’t have room for dessert, but you’d be wrong. (Actually, you are<\/em> correct about that. But we ordered it anyway.) They showed us our choices on a tray, and we absolutely could not resist.<\/p>\n Alice said her Apple Pie was \u201cscrumptious!\u201d She explained, \u201cThe top crust was made of caramelized pecans, and it was like a double dessert because it came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The whole thing was to die for!\u201d I had actually never seen her finish an entire dessert before, so I was shocked to witness her devouring this<\/em> one!<\/p>\n![\"We](\"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/img_0845-e1454136400816.jpg\")
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