Sure, we all knew that the MLK holiday weekend was a big 3-day whoop-di-do here, but the crowds began swelling on Thursday afternoon with bumper-to-bumper traffic all over the area. Since the weather turned "gorgeous" on Friday, we naively thought that was the reason.
Then, as we had a 30 minute waitlist for a lunch table and an hour wait for dinner, it dawned on us exactly what was happening. And it was a bitch-slap of the best kind.
Rehoboth Beach is known as "The Nation's Summer Capital" and as hundreds of thousands from everywhere began descending on DC for the inauguration the residents were seeking refuge from the huddled masses invading the city. Many DC residents have summer places here and decided to take the weekend off and get out of Dodge, especially since the weather here has turned warm and sunny.
Caught off guard, with servers and kitchen staff on holiday, we did what we could and did it damned well. 246 lunch diners were served yesterday, and 535 were served at dinner last evening. I walked home sore and limping - the day took a toll on my back and hands.
Today began as an exact duplicate. At 11:30 am, as the doors opened 16 diners streamed into the place. The lunch crowd was steady, though not overwhelming and everyone was in a jovial mood. Good weather, food, and margaritas will do that to people.
By 2 PM, there were 30 reservations for dinner, so the place will be jumpin' again tonight. I am glad to be out of it, been held over until 5:30 to help with the overflow. I am not complaining. This kind of business - in January - is a gift from the Gods. We'll take it!
I am so happy to be home, out of the work drag and into a dry martini, I cannot begin to tell you. Mine head is schpinning!!!
Dr. King's birthday is celebrated tomorrow and from the look of things, it's promising to be another busy day. At least for the lunch crowd who will dine before the long journey back to the Beltway.
What a ride.
And so it goes.
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wow - other than a day off I don't know of anyone who does anything on this day.
ReplyDeleteBusiness is a hopping at the hotel too! Very unusual for January. Usually that is our slowest time of the year. As you say, must be a combination of the unusually mild weather for January and the D.C. refugees. We'll take it!
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