We vacationed last week in Galveston, TX. It was the first time my wife had been there and the first time my boys had been to a beach at all so we were all excited and had a great time. Mid-week we talked about having a pina colada - it's a semi-tropical destination after all and once the subject came up I was ready for the taste sensation. Nevertheless when vacationing with a 2 year old we rarely found ourselves in typical pina colada establishments except for a few dinners. Aspirations of relaxing on the beach with my wife and sipping the cold coconut concoction will have to wait for a time in the future when mommy and daddy can get away by themselves.
By the time of our last night there came around I set out to find a seafood restaurant for dinner and enjoy my long awaited frozen treat. We generally prefer to go local instead of chain when dining on vacation so we headed to Miller's on Seawall Blvd. Most reviews were good and I know they've been around a long time so they got the nod. Now remember, we've got a couple little ones in tow and bed time starts at 7pm so we entered the restaurant at 5pm. One of the complaints about this place was the parking, but at 5 o'clock that was not an issue, believe me.
Our hostess walked us to our table passing all the lovely booths on the windows overlooking the surf to a table across the aisle. I only noticed a couple other patrons in the restaurant so I kindly asked if we could have a booth with a view. I was told that she couldn't seat us there because we had a high chair and it would block the aisle. What!? There was hardly anyone in the place and this had to be one of the widest restaurant aisles I've ever seen. We're used to making our way to tables so close you end up looking like your dancing as you wiggle your pelvis too and fro around the backs of chairs, but this place had 5 feet if they had an inch. Still, being one to let things go I let it go (with my back to the Gulf of Mexico). We proceeded to peruse the menu when we were asked for our drink orders. I promptly and proudly asked for a glass of water and...drum roll please...A PINA COLADA! I think I actually heard a game show buzzer go off when she said "I'm sorry, I can't give you a pina colada, but you could have a margarita." Over the next 2 seconds as she stared at the "what language are you speaking" look I'm sure I had on my face my brain processed thoughts ranging from "if I wanted a margarita I would have ordered one" to "if you have a restaurant on the beach and you possess tequila, margarita mix and a blender why don't you have rum and pina colada mix?". What ended up coming out of my mouth as I closed my menu was "I guess we'll have to try somewhere else."
Some things in life are worth taking a stand for and at that moment in my once-a-year time away getting the drink I wanted was worth packing the kids back in the van. I have to admit Erika was a bit stunned when she realized we were actually leaving, but with the high chair thing and then the drink I explained that Miller's would not be afforded the luxury of a third strike.
We went a mile back down Seawall to Landry's where we had a great meal (although my wallet was empty at the conclusion) and, of course, a pina colada. I actually called them from the Miller's parking lot and asked if they could make the drink before I drove an inch. It was, after all, a quest at that point and efficiency was crucial to success.
To top off the great service, food and beverage we received at Landry's we were provided umbrella coverage to the van via two concerned bus boys after it started raining prior to our exit.
Good job Landry's. Miller's...oh nevermind.
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