The timing could not have been worse.
After multiple emails back and forth with the folks at Juniper, we had finally settled on a date when Bryan and I could come and visit this exciting new (opened July 2014) Mediterranean restaurant in Wellesley. It took a bit of coordination, but finally, we settled on December 9th.
Who would have predicted that a crazy, windy, wet, wet, WET Nor'easter would come plummeting into our lovely vulnerable city that very day?
On any normal day, taking the commuter rail out to Wellesley would have been a cinch, considering Juniper is a mere 3-minute walk away from the station. However, on this dark and miserable day, I found myself sloshing through 6-inch deep puddles and battling horizontal rain that left me 100% soaked.
With pants that felt like a wetsuit and water-logged boots that squished and squeaked with each step, I entered Juniper after a harrowing 2-hour commute, feeling like a mess.
What greeted me completely washed away any memory of discomfort I had. The warm space, the friendly host, and the sight of Bryan (who I hadn't seen all day) sitting at the bar, sipping on a drink. The host was not at all phased by my wet appearance, but instead warmly offered to take the coat off my hands.
"My feet are COMPLETELY soaked" I whispered to Bryan as the friendly host took us to our seats.
Thankfully, ever-so-thankfully, our hostess led us to a cozy little booth in the corner. In the intimate, semi-private corner, I was able to get comfortable, dry out my boots a bit, and sit back and relax.
The server immediately brought us some water and a bowl of olives, plus menus. As memories of the rainy commute faded away, my attention quickly focused on the fun menu, which had an assortment of Mediterranean inspired mezzes (starters), dips and hummus, as well as entrees, all for surprisingly reasonable prices....