I grew up eating well, but almost exclusively at home, to save money. My mom’s subscription to Sunset magazine had us eating the latest in fusion cuisine, like spicy beef on watercress vinaigrette and toad in the hole with Italian sausage and marinara.

I'm not sure he was being entirely truthful when he told me that customers were supposed to help themselves to the drinks. Although I had to be dragged on this date with my son, it's one of my fondest memories.