Another Night Out for The Paragon Pearls…

I’m the one responsible for making reservations for our weekly Saturday dinner out. The Paragon Pearls & I meet once, more in our building’s lobby at 6:15 promptly…for the 6:30 reservation. Five neighbors that became friends, in our old age.

One of the Pearl’s can’t walk much, so I must make plans in our immediate neighborhood…Upper Eastside of Manhattan.

This evening it's to The Mexicana Canteen Restaurant, just around the corner from where we live in The Paragon Towers. It is pouring tonight.

As a platoon do we march each holding tight an umbrella. Picture “All 5 of Us Senior Cuties” ignoring the downpour to hit the joint, whose cuisine is really too spicy & hard to digest for members of our age gang. My friends are not too enthused with my choice, but they’re afraid to start up with me…🤐😛

We arrive at the steps of the narrow Cafe’s store front. It has a sign of flashing bulbs of green dancing, smiling cacti.

I had to ask the host to place a portable aluminum ramp, over its cement stairs, for some of our wheeled walkers, so we could enter the establishment. (I called to assure the accommodation).

Lively music & loud chatter burst as from the little cafe as were led in.

The reserved round table I requested, for some of “The Paragon Girls” are hard of hearing…so it is easier to converse at a round table for us. It was in the rear of its dining area which meant maneuvering thru the crowded bar of half-drunk Gen-Xers. They were boisterous, while munching furiously on corn chips using them… as shovels scooping up bowls of spicy salsa & Guacamole.

Then our parade of silver haired ladies' scuffles thru “their space”.

They turn their heads to stare at us… like what the fuck are they, (us old farts), doing in “their place”. (I’m beginning to wonder myself…but don’t forget it's raining outside). 🙄 It was obvious we were the oldest patrons in this The Mexican Restaurant. 🧓👩‍🦳👳‍♀️👵👳‍♀️

We had never been to this stucco walled eatery that were covered in paintings of trite Mexican scenes. A few wooden square tables, with ladder back chairs filled this small “hole-in-the-wall”. Each had a flickering orange lantern centerpiece with daisies. The colorful placemats were Aztec themed, heavy stoneware and the bottle green glasses, were rustic Mexican fare. Sexy warm atmosphere totally surprising & inviting…we found.

I was thrilled, as I anticipated a delicious Mexican dinner. 🤩

The patient waiter listened attentively hearing 2 of the ladies ordered NO spice on their broiled salmon with rice, another skirt steak, & rice…again NO spice. What a perfect restaurant I choose for them! LOL!

No alcoholic drinks for anyone… but me.

“Please get me a frozen Margarita. Chips & salsa for the table”.

I quipped to the waiter, “I’m working on maintaining my weight!” followed by laughter. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I requested my meal with extra spice: chicken fajitas, beans, rice, guacamole, and naturally, sour cream. For me, the spicier the better I like it!

Thank Goodness the back of the restaurant is half empty tonight, so that the Ladies don’t find the place…too noisy…as usual.