Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Spotted at Metro! with Governor Kaine
Larry Bly
Larry Bly runs an ad agency and does freelance writing in the Roanoke area.
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Don't you just hate name-droppers? Fact is, I did come through the door at Metro! on Monday night with the governor and his entourage, but I didn't really plan it that way. Nor did they, for that matter.
As fate would have it, I was making my way down Campbell Avenue from a wine-and-cheese affair and decided to drop into Metro! for a drink. As I arrived, I noticed State Police Cars by the curb and a rather large limo across the street. Just as my friend, Rob, said "This must be something to do with the governor's office," Mr. Kaine and his group appeared right before our eyes. I opened the door for him and he shook my hand and exchanged a few niceties. I then followed them into the restaurant where I announced "We'll be joining the governor for dinner tonight."
And while several members of his bunch didn't seem to think that terribly funny, the governor did. He let out with a huge laugh and announced to everyone, "Well then I guess we'll just have to find a few extra chairs."
I know when to get out of the way ... and I've always heard that you should leave them laughing. So I headed over to the bar and they went to their table. As I was leaving, the governor was having a heart-to-heart talk with Mayor Nelson Harris about something or the other. Probably had to do with those mean Democrats trying to kick him out of the party.
Anyway, that was my brief moment with Governor Kaine and it was enjoyable.
I will say this, the Metro! staff is cool under such pressure. When I asked if they knew he was coming, I was informed that, yes, they had known for about a week. The chef would later get into some clean whites and go out to present himself to the governor's table; all in an evening's work.
Apparently it's not the first time that Mr. Kaine has enjoyed the Metro! for dinner --- it's become a favorite spot when he's in town. And no wonder, Metro! has its act together. The wait staff is top-notch professional. The crowded open kitchen is poetry in motion. And the food, whether you love sushi or something a little less raw, is outstanding always. Metro! is about as close as we get to a New York kind of place right here in Southwest Virginia. Just ask the governor. Or if you like, I'll ask him for you next time we dine together.
On to other less "showbizzy" things: I received a wonderful invitation to the opening of the new Carrabba's Italian Grill at Valley View recently.
Actually an open house, the invitation implored me to "join us opening night and enjoy warm Italian hospitality and flavorful homemade dishes handed down the Carrabba family for more than four generations." Donations from the first night's sales would go to the Mill Mountain Zoo. Well I would have loved to have attended, but the invitation came the day after the event. So much for that.
If you're interested, Carrabba's Italian Grill is located at 4802 Valley View Blvd. Phone is 540-265-0961
Bly for now.
