A Really Great Pen-- Came With A Free Meal

Yesterday, my best friend Chris turned 26. We celebrated in style. I mean, in freaking style. Pulled out all the stops.

After swinging by his house to pick up some cigars (hush, you in the peanut gallery) we went to one of his favorite restaurants: The Capital Grille. We arrived and found a great table. The place was hoppin’, for a Sunday night.

Pulled a pair of pints of Guinness, did the toast, sat back and waited as the greatest steaks known to man were brought forth. You think I’m kidding. Between the Guinness, the stogies, and the sirloin from Valhalla… Pedro and I were in sensory overload. It was glorious.

The Grille is not what I would call frugal. I had to make allowances, just now, to include the name of the restaurant and the word 'frugal' in the same sentence, okay? Totally worth it. We camped out there for a few hours, savoring every bite and the company, as well. When the check came, Pedro just started laughing. I looked at Chris, who joked, “Man these are nice pens. Oh! And they come with a free meal.”

We did split the check, but as it was his birthday I left the tip, and it was good one at that. The pens had the name of the restaurant on ‘em, so we figured it would be good to snag them and do a little advertising in the future, who knows.

We agreed on the spot that this should become a Birthday thing, albeit one making exceptions schedule-wise for family and loved ones. But we’ll definitely be going back. Not any time soon, mind you, but we’re definitely going back.

Next time, the tip’s on him.