They say we're entitled, narcissistic, lacking work ethic, constantly needing affirmation of our overinflated self-esteem and we just won't leave the shelter of our parents and let them BE already! Well, I say I deserve a day off for my hard work, some recognition for it's superior quality and yes, Mom, I will be at dinner on Sunday.

I'm just trying to hold on to my youth, really. Aren't we all?

The crowds, the chaos, who needs it?

Yesterday, the grand opening of the Black Bear Diner, I needed it.

Three years ago, while living in Redding, Calif., my husband and I discovered the Black Bear Diner. I ate a chicken-fried steak there that rivaled my Aunt Molly's. We couldn't believe the huge portions and the reasonable prices. The decor was rugged and earthy and the atmosphere casual and comfy. An Alaskan with the appetite of a 14-year-old boy, my husband instantly became a huge fan of the diner. It was the taste of the food that won me over.

When we heard a Black Bear Diner would open in Sequim, we waited with bated breath. I didn't want to get too excited. After all, when I was in middle school Sequim supposedly was going to get a movie theater and that STILL hasn't happened. I didn't want to get my hopes up.

 

We got our first sneak peak at the diner on Monday morning. Since my sister works there, we got to join in the friends and family preview and eat breakfast. While it was good, it wasn't the full experience I was looking for and I knew we needed to come back on opening day.

 

At 6:50 p.m. we arrived at the diner. Parking was a little tough to find, which we expected. We had to wait 15-20 minutes for a table, which we also expected. We were seated in a small but comfortable booth near the bar and the kitchen window where wait staff pick up their orders. Other than one seemingly stressed-out manager who yelled at the kitchen crew a couple times, the staff were friendly and efficient.

The menu, printed like a newspaper with old Sequim articles on the outside, is very big and has a variety of hearty entrees as well as options for smaller-portioned meals and low-calorie substitutions. We weren't having any of that. I ordered the Old-Fashioned Meat Loaf with a salad, cornbread muffin, baked potato and green beans. My husband got the Prime Rib Dinner with vegetables, red-skinned mashed potatoes, a salad and cornbread muffin.

While our salads and cornbread muffins arrived in minutes, a printer malfunction inhibited the cooking and delivery of our food. I knew it was taking a while but thought the kitchen must be very busy since it was opening night and all. We weren't starving after eating the salads and muffins and it wasn't to the point where I felt I needed to ask where our food was; but our waitress did. She explained the situation to us, apologized very nicely and shortly after that our food arrived.

It was just as good as I remembered and of course, I couldn't finish it. Actually, I could barely start it. Seeing as many of the meals are 1,100+ calories that's probably a good thing. Plus, it meant I could have the leftovers for lunch the next day, which I did. Still good!

Normally, I'm not this excited about restaurants. But the Black Bear Diner makes me feel like I'm having dinner at my grandma's house: Antique memorabilia from logging-days-gone-by decorating an old-fashioned house, all the food goes with gravy and just like after eating dinner at Grandma's house, I couldn't wait to hit the sack after leaving the diner.

I'll be back soon.