It’s a beautiful day with moderate temperature and low humidity. I am sitting on a bench in front of Clydes at Chevy Chase, waiting for two friends. It is so nice sitting here that I really don’t care if they come or not. I have already had my parking ticket stamped.

The reason I am sitting here is that I thought the lunch was at 12, but it is set for 12:30. So I am watching people stream into this large and busy restaurant. And what I am discovering is that they all look like me and my friends. We are clearly interchangeable. It’s a weird feeling. I have lost my identity.

What am I hoping from this lunch? I am hoping that ICE does not show up until we are finished eating.

Okay, it is now 12:32 and I am still sitting here. No one is on time any more, I guess.

Oh, here comes someine who not only looks like someone I could know, but is in fact someone I know. In fact, I have known him for 56 years, I think.

He joined me on the bench. We waited another 5 minutes, and I got a “where are you?” phone call from our third person. He had snuck in through another door. I should have figured that out, but I have only known him for about 45 years.

Lunch was fine, but like all lunches these days, too expensive.

It reminded me that, as we are now almost halfway through the year, I could give you a list of the restaurant meals that have earned an A this year. Here goes:

1. &Shwarma at Shady

Grove MD

2. Gregorios in Cabin John MD

3. Yu Noodle in Derwood MD

4. Buck’s in Chevy Chase DC

5. Foode in Fredericksburg VA

6. Lucky Oyster in Virginia Beach VA

7. 1906 Bistro in Washington NC

8. Casa Tua in Miami

9. Cafe Solè in Key West

10. Olives in Key West

11. Sebastian Saltwater Marina in Sebastian FL.

12. Contesse’s Bistro in St. Augustine FL

13. Mi Vida in DC

14. Tatte in DC

15. Mark’s in Enfield CT

16. Felix in Springfield MA

17. Galexy Diner in Bridgeport CT

18. Pike Kitchen in Rockville MD

19. Gelletaria in Kensington MD

20. Divan in Glover Park DC

21. Bread and Chocolate in Chevy Chase DC

22. Bistro Arcosia in DC

23. First Watch in Bowie MD

Well, that is almost one A meal a week in the first half of 2025. And I am a tough grader.

Details on request.

Tomorrow….back to worldly concerns.