We are no strangers to Nick's Cove, but our kids are. At least, they were until last night when we introduced them to this old West Marin hot spot for dinner.
Freshly showered and bundled-up after a day at the beach, we savored local oysters in the half-shell, pork chop, Crab Louis, crab cakes, tiger shrimp and a side of fries. But everyone's favorite was the Dungeness crab mac 'n' cheese ordered by Mr. Noodle.
Some people have told me I'm lucky my kids aren't picky eaters and to them I say: "They would be if I gave them the chance." Trust me, left on their own, my kids would happily survive on loafs of sourdough bread and buckets of mint chip ice cream. (I'm pretty sure that comes from my side.) But having kids that weren't picky eaters was probably my number one goal going into motherhood. Most days I feel pretty good about where they are, although I will not deny it's an ongoing process. While we may be in a good place today, tomorrow's dinner might be greeted with three upside down smiles and a list of complaints. I just keep on powering through and talking the talk. Last night, I used one of my old-time techniques to get Mr. Noodle to try something new. Our conversation went like this:
Me: Hey, do you want the yummy mac 'n' cheese tonight?!?
Mr. Noodle: Ya! I do!!
Me: Oh good. It's so good here. They have a special recipe.
Mr. Noodle dives in and starts eating the pasta he has no reason not to love.
Me: Do you love your mac 'n' cheese with crab?
Mr. Noodle: Yes. It's very good.
Me: Isn't fish in mac 'n' cheese the best? I told you they had a very special recipe.
And before he even understands what's hit him, he's shoveling another spoonful of "pasta with fish" in his mouth, blissfully unaware that he's just fallen in love with a new dish. Before the night is done, I find about nine more opportunities to drop the congratulatory "YOU-JUST-ATE-FISH-PASTA-AND-LOVED-IT" bomb on him.
I love my job!