When I Returned to Bonnie Vee

Sitting at the bar at Bonnie Vee, which I had recently wrote a less than stellar review about, I considered why I would keep (I’ve probably been there five times since I wrote it) returning to a place I felt was so mediocre at first.

After I wrote that initial review, I returned to the bar a few weeks laster with friends. We had eaten dinner nearby and were meeting up with a few more people, and I suggested it. The first time I went I harped on the food, and mentioned that it wasn’t really worth it. However, I kind of dug the atmosphere. I definitely enjoyed the drinks. Those two criteria win in my semi-wine muddled “what’s nearby” brain, and I wasn’t coming to drink anyway.

When we arrived, the owner (full disclosure, we are now friends), Nino, recognized me immediately in a packed bar on a Friday night. Granted, I had kind of grilled him on his menu on my previous visit, but I was still impressed. The bar was three deep, the music was loud, and I didn’t order a drink from him. He bought our round of drinks and I wondered if he had read the review, or was trying to butter me up thinking I was going to write one still. I got my courage (blood alcohol level) up and asked him. He had no idea.

Then I had the misfortune of having to show him my first review. I was tipsy, he asked questions… what was a girl to do. The words on the page: confusing, pullman loaf (ugh), disorganized, etc.

I expected something bad to happen. Or at least some hard fought defenses thrown. Instead, he told me he agreed. He said he’s a bar man, and has been struggling with the food menu for a while. He wants to please everyone, but he doesn’t know how to do that cohesively, while still serving simple food.

He also said that the lentils were a family recipe and “some dumb girls” asked for the toast. I told him to stop listening to dumb girls. The lentils were great.