One couple drove down from Philadelphia to have one last margarita at my restaurant Zarela. She had even written a eulogy that she recorded and was so moving that I hope IEulogy for Zarela restaurant can attach it so you can hear it too. Back were the beautiful girls who I’d seen grow into women crying, holding on to me and each other, saying No!No!No! this can’t be true, you can’t close Zarela,  They were slightly mollified when I said that we were simply relocating downtown  a  bit but our neighborhood  customers were upset that they would not be able to just walk down or up a few blocks to dine.

Me too.  I live  two blocks away but it is time to go.  Overall if you’re in the restaurant business you have to love it because you are certainly not in it for the money. The neighborhood has changed and is back to  being Irish bar row.  Most of my customers prefer a different kind of vibe.

Everyone giving me advise and much of it right on the mark because they were echoing.what several young chefs like Pichet Ong  and people in the industry whom I had invited to dinner to critique the food and give suggestions had said. But mostly they came in to thank me for providing great food and warm hospitality while people in the industry came  by for support. Sue Torres of Suenos was there with a group of attractive friends.

Zarela has always been a family not just among my beloved employees many of whom have been with me since 1984 the Cafe Marimba days and me but between customers, employees and me. If only they had been around like the used to during  the last two difficult years…..

So how will I fill my evenings?  I’ll be able to accept invitations to dinners in peoples houses or invite them to my Salon, go to the theater,  find a new boyfriend now that I am officially out of mourning, and maybe even take a little trip.  But it won’t be long before I’m back in the saddle again .