Happy Owner

Yesterday on the way back from a one-day trip to the Channel Islands National Park, my husband got off the freeway in the San Fernando Valley hoping to find an Indian restaurant we had happened on under similar circumstances a few years ago. Unfortunately, we couldn't find the place, so I started looking for any place that looked interesting. I try to avoid restaurant chains when away from home. I spotted a place that was filled with people and looked interesting. Cafe Dolce's sign said, "Kebabs, gelato, and pastries." Once we went in, we realized there was no menu. We sat down and the owner (see the picture) came over to explain that they weren't open yet, but they were serving everything to test things out. His English was heavily accented, but I finally understood. He said that everything was "on the house." A few minutes later a woman, maybe his wife, came and explained that the man had been trying to get this restaurant open for seven months. So tonight everything was just free. Everyone there, except us, was Middle Eastern- Persian, I think, but maybe Turkish. The owner was happy to pose for my picture. He kept dancing with two little girls whom I assumed were his daughters. It was surreal, but fun too. We were the ones who just happened to stop by. The quantities were huge- rice with saffron and four types of meat. There was a spice that was supposed to go on the meat. The woman came over to tell us that. A yogurt dish with mint accompanied the rice and meat. Some slices of onion were brought to these other patrons, but not us. We did leave money in the tip jar, but could have just left without paying anything. It was a surprising serendipity to end our weekend. When you live in Los Angeles County, you don't have to drive far to feel like you're in a foreign country.