Every year in the summertime, Comic Con International blasts through San Diego with superman force. The geeks, the freaks and most recently the Hollywood A-Listers crowd the world famous San Diego Convention Center and the streets of the Gaslamp Quarter. On any day during Comic Con, you might see a storm trooper pass you on 5th Street, a group of Halo characters drinking cocktails next to you at the bar, or if you're really lucky you might find yourself caught up in a zombie mob as you're crossing Market Street. As San Diegans like to say, it's Halloween in July.
Thursday, day one of Comic Con, I waited on actor/comedian, Chris Parnell. I was pretty stoked as he's been in tons of funny TV shows and movies. He cracked a couple jokes at the table and I think I blushed a bit. He was there during a busy lunch rush, mostly full of other Comic Con exhibitors sporting their badges around their necks. The conversations at the tables were filled with industry chatter, talking of action figures, story boards and current and past movies. It was like I was transplanted into a hipster Hollywood restaurant, learning all of the gossip from the producers, writers and who knows who else I served.
Saturday, day three of Comic Con, we saw a few celebrities here and
there. I actually got the opportunity to wait on the Sons of Anarchy
stars Kim Coates and Theo Rossi. I didn't know who they were at first,
but I could tell there were famous. Their style, their
demeanor, their hairdos ... the fact they mentioned they were going to a "panel" later
all tipped me off (the "panel" is the media interviews that take place at Comic Con). They also passed on bread when we offered it to them and ordered practically zero carb lunches which also tipped me off they were actors. One of my managers ending up informing me they
were actors in Sons of Anarchy. I don't watch the show, but had heard of it. They were extremely polite and chatty. The two actors were with a producer or some
sort of executive who they kept calling "their boss." The Executive Chef at our hotel was informed they were there, and apparently he's a huge fan, because he had to come to the table and not only greet them, but take a photo with them as well. Those two guys were really cool, and after my encounter with them, I'm down to check out their show. They were truly good people.
Saturday night, very unfortunately after I left, the three guys from Workaholics came in. I was, and still am, very sad that I wasn't there when they were. I love that show. If that says something about my style of humor, than be it. I know that show is immature and ridiculous, but I love it.
Comic Con, day two, Friday the 13th (yes I know I am backtracking, but because of the caliber of the celebrity who came into the restaurant on Friday, I thought I should end my post with his visit).
The Friday night shift arrived and the entire staff was unusually goofy
and excited for some reason. There was just something wild and intriguing in the air that night. A
couple hours into my shift, my food runner told me I was waiting on one
of the young X-Men actors from one of the newer movies. I didn't know
who he was until he told me, but I was happy I didn't know until after they were
almost done. Throughout my shift, more and more executives wined and
dined their way through their Friday night networking meetings. It was a
ton of fun to eavesdrop and rub shoulders with the big wigs.
About the fourth hour into my shift, the excitement peaked as .. drum roll please ... Mr. Anthony Bourdain himself walked into the restaurant and sat at the bar. My mouth dropped. I was star struck. As a food lover, an avid traveler, a cook, a writer, and as a fan of his show No Reservations, I couldn't help but to stare. It was actually him, sitting five feet in front of me, drinking a margarita, meeting up with a few friends. I wanted to talk to him so bad, but of course, I had to maintain my professional composure. My GM quickly got into action as soon as he noticed him sitting at the bar. He shifted from third gear to fifth, as he informed everyone who he was (in case people didn't know), to be absolutely sure we were providing stellar service. This was not only the GM's time to shine, but the restaurant as a whole as well. If Anthony Bourdain walks into your restaurant, you'd better make his visit not only as perfect as possible, but you want to impress the hell out of him and wow his socks off. A few minutes after Mr. Bourdain took his seat, I saw our hotel's Executive Chef come out of the main kitchen in a suit to come and greet him. That's was impressive. I've never seen him change out of his chef's uniform (even for the photo with the Sons of Anarchy guys). Keep in mind a much more experienced server waited on him, thank god it wasn't me. I would have fumbled over my words and possibly spilled something on him out of pure nervousness. Instead my GM chose a calm and confident server to wait on him instead. Good call GM! I kept peeking my head over at Mr. Bourdain's table, trying not to stare. A few times as I passed through the kitchen, I noticed our Chef de Cuisine was intense in making sure his food came out immaculate. She was also gathering her thoughts on what dessert special she could wow him with. After their main course, our Executive Chef was back again at his table, checking in on his food and experience so far, I imagine. I was busy with my own tables, but I couldn't help my attention wandering back over to his section. Finally, after the special dessert the Chef de Cuisine prepared and executed, and after plenty of intelligent, witty and sophisticated moments at his table, a firework show bolted off Coronado and into the bright San Diego Bay skyline. If he didn't like his meal, I sure hope the firework show sealed the deal. What timing that show was. Of course our GM or anyone at our hotel had nothing to do with the firework show, but as far as a wow factor, it couldn't have hurt. In the end, when I noticed he was getting ready to leave, the GM, the Executive Chef, his server, along with another server who's just as big a fan as I am, and myself, stood at the exit and gave him a final farewell. I grinned politely, and perhaps slightly flirtatiously, and said, "Goodbye Mr. Bourdain. Thank you." His eyes met mine briefly, as he mirrored my grin, nodded and said, "Thank you." He waked down the stairs, and onto the harbor boardwalk, alone. The lone traveler, the ever absorbed writer, the ultimate food fan and renowned chef, walking away from our restaurant, into the warm and gorgeous San Diego night. The other female server and I just stared, wondered... Where was he headed? Where was he staying? What did he think of our restaurant? And as quick as he came, he was gone.
Oh Comic Con. You blast in as quickly as you blast out, a la Anothony Bourdain. The crowded streets, the lack of parking, the costumes, the make up, the parties, the celebrities.. it's all such a whirlwind of an event. As much as I'll never forget who I waited on, who I spied on from afar, who I missed and who I got nervous around, I proud to admit, I'm happy it's over. Back to the normal, mellow San Diego lifestyle we all live here for.
Now, what should I be for Halloween this year...?
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