Not Biting the Eatery Fads

For me, one of the best parts about growing older is no longer feeling the need to keep up with current trends. The only social media I use is Facebook; I recognize almost no one in People Magazine; my home decorating style is hopelessly old-fashioned, and I never follow the latest fashion styles. (I don’t own a single pair of skinny jeans......those of you who know me are giggling at the funny picture in your head of me trying to even get a half a leg in a pair of those.)

In most areas of my life, I’m able to easily ignore fads and trends, and am quite happy to do so. Sadly, some trends are easier to avoid than others. Marc and I enjoy dining out but the problem is, most new restaurants also tend to be rather trendy, and I don’t particularly like, or even understand, most of the new trends in dining out.

Some I find simply annoying, like referring to the person standing behind the bar as a “mixologist” instead of a bartender. Isn’t mixing drinks what bartenders have always done?

Other trends I find truly off-putting, like the new “communal table” seating. I don’t go out to eat because I want to be squeezed into a bench at a long table that reminds me of lunchtime in my high school cafeteria. I don’t like having to watch what I say because I know the strangers on either side of me can hear my conversation perfectly, and might even decide to chime in. Nor do I want to know all the intimate details of their lives, unless they’re up to something especially interesting or illegal.

And it might be my age, but I don’t like the high ceilings, concrete floors and general industrial warehouse decor that so many new restaurants choose, because it means the noise level in those restaurants is really, really loud. I have enough hearing issues without the sounds bouncing off the walls. I find myself asking Marc and friends to repeat themselves far too often. Sometimes I just give it up and smile and nod at whatever they are saying, hoping they aren’t asking for a loan or if I’d like to babysit their grandkids for a week while they go on vacation.

These days, as far as restaurants go, Marc and I find ourselves sticking to our “tried and true” favorites where we know the noise level will be tolerable, the tables set apart enough to ensure a private conversation, and no one is pressing us to try a drink that emits smoke.

Here are a few our favorites:

Panini Cafe – 21600 Victory Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91303

A Taste of India – Gateway Plaza, 21833 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills CA 91364

Zin Bistro Americana – 32131 Lindero Canyon Rd # 111, Westlake Village CA 91361

King's Mongolian Barbeque – 19652 Vanowen St., Reseda CA 91335

El Torito – 6040 Canoga Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Veggie Grill – Westfields Topanga, 6316 Topanga Canyon Blvd #1180, Woodland Hills CA 91367

Antonio's Pizzeria -114 Sumner Ave, Avalon, CA 90704