a friend of mine remarked that she didn’t know that this place (dolores) existed – she never ventured outside her circle enough. i just knew it as a “bad luck spot”… those places that are a cafe one day, a coffeehouse the next, a flower shop later… and never stick around longer than 1-3 months. and if it comes to “buzz”, then dolores already passes that test: 1-3 doesn’t describe how many months dolores has been here, but how many hours it can take to get a table.
but on a random walk in the neighborhood one night, i decided to take a chance on a tiny corner of the bar (a table was NOT in the cards). and one: “hey, man… that’s like my favorite spot on the bar. THE NOOK!” between the host and myself and it happened… shoved into the “nook” among all the parties and dates, but i got in. a good margarita and a ridiculous carne asada taco later – one of the best i’ve ever had, and i know that california is… california.
chatting up the host on the way out, he gave thumbs up to the lone visit (again, he loved “the nook” for that), gave props to the folks in the kitchen from mexico city who knew how a taco should be, and appreciation to the fact that, yes: it takes a long fucking time to get a table there. dolores deserves all of it, and i’m happy to have them so close; even if i don’t ever stand a chance to get inside.