Honest review of our 13th wedding anniversary dinner spot

My husband and I recently celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary. We commemorated this special occasion with dinner at a local spot called Tabitha's. This is my honest review. 

After 13 years of marriage, my husband and I were looking forward to celebrating and considered many options before settling on a very small, mostly unknown little spot called Tabitha's. We choose this place mostly because it is very close to where we live - like within steps - and that since our anniversary was on a school night, this location would not require a babysitter for our children. Tabitha's allowed us to prepare a meal for our children before our dinner - let us right into the kitchen and everything! We made something simple and beloved: mac and cheese and hot dogs! After their meal, the children retired for the evening (or that was the attempt at least) so that we could enjoy our dinner - just the two of us. 

My main criticism is that Tabitha's doesn't seem to have enough staff. My husband and I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to cook alongside each other it was a very modern, hipster vibe to be the chefs of our own anniversary meal. But we really were expected to do everything ourselves. We even had to refill our own drinks and clean up afterwards. There were a few times that the kids requested snacks for a movie that was playing in the other room and after no staff supplied their snack - the children had the audacity to ask us! Guests! Have you ever heard of such a thing! Well, I just couldn't bear to see those poor children suffer so I got up and just fixed that snack myself!  I'm mortified to even confess that at one point my husband even got up to unclog the toilet for heaven's sakes! 

One benefit to Tabitha's is that there is absolute zero dress code. I mean one person wore only a diaper...well now that I think of it, he was very small, possibly a toddler actually. My husband and I were able to dress down, like way down, I may or may not have been wearing pajamas. Stretchy, comfortable clothes also allowed us to eat without the constraints of tight clothes, so that was great! 

The biggest benefit of all though was that all of the food, drinks, and entertainment were free for the entire evening which is almost unheard of in today's day and age. The food was divine, the drinks were exactly how we like them prepared, and the entertainment was mostly hilarious, albeit a little loud. There was a very chubby little baby that smiled and squealed if you made eye contact with her! There was a very tiny boy who could kick a ball quite impressively. There were four bigger children who were willing to complete menial tasks, not for tip money though, rather simply for the payment of watching a Halloween movie in an adjoining room. The biggest child even wished us a Happy Anniversary although it did kind of sound sarcastic considering he said it while half slamming the door as he made his way to close up the chicken coop for the night. Oh yes! That reminds me, another bonus - Tabitha's has their own chickens, ducks, and goats; a very farm to table vibe. 

My husband and I had the salmon, goat cheese risotto, and brussels sprouts. It was honestly delicious and that really saved the overall experience. I mean, we did have to share a few bites with some random kids that wandered over to our table uninvited throughout the meal - but there was plenty and we were able to get seconds so it ended up being fine to share a little bit with those poor hungry children (I bet their mother never feeds them). 

After 13 years of marriage and 22 years in total of being together - the company and conversation is almost always the best part of our dinner. We chatted and laughed and remembered. Another great bonus about Tabitha's was that we weren't rushed in any way to get on with the meal. We were able to sit at the table long after the food was finished just enjoying each other's company. And with no babysitter to rush home to, our only deadline was bedtime on a school night and only a few steps between the table and beds to get everyone tucked in. 

My most honest review would be that Tabitha's certainly isn't for everyone. My husband says it's his favorite spot though and he would know; he's been eating there for 13 years and has really seen how the meals have changed over the years. Poor guy use to smile and eat gratefully even though the chef was such a novice in the beginning years. It's also really economical for us to go there and they are patient with our loud, energetic children and can even persuade them to assist in the cooking and cleaning up process, so that's a bonus. 

We will keep going there despite the lack of staff, general messiness, and all those poor children who seem to be on the verge of starvation (although they are weirdly picky about food for children who are so hungry). 

We feel really lucky to have this spot all to ourselves - it's always crowded (but almost everyone there looks just like us!) It might not be the place for everyone, but it is definitely the place for us. 

Five out of five stars.