![\"fairmont\"](\"https:\/\/www.kevinneal.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/fairmont.png\")
<\/a>So Brandee decided to sweep me away recently for my birthday.\u00a0 When it comes to birthday time I usually get grouchy because, after-all, what\u2019s the point of aging another year without any tangible benefits?<\/p>\nBasically between the age of 21 (when you can legally drink) and the age of 65\/67-ish (when you can supposedly collect your retirement money) then what\u2019s the use of growing older?<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Brandee pulled a wonderful surprise for me and it was very special.\u00a0 She had arranged a full evening and night at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel.\u00a0 This is not your Motel 6-type facility.\u00a0 Rather it\u2019s a classy, high-price establishment where U.S. Presidents and other famous people stay.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s have a pop to begin<\/b><\/p>\n
It was a lovely lounge with beautiful decorations, nice artist displays as well as great service by the hotel employees.\u00a0 Overall I have to say that the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose is Five Star for this reason; they have great service!<\/p>\n After a few drinks in the lounge Brandee suggested that we have dinner.\u00a0 A wonderful idea but the restaurant wasn\u2019t fully staffed when we arrived just as they opened for business.\u00a0 So we decided to head to the bar for a bit and wait for our table to become available.<\/p>\n The Feast begins<\/b><\/p>\n In there we had bread with accompaniments of whole butter, tomato jam and an herbed olive oil and aged balsamic dip.\u00a0 We also had Sliced New York Pepper Steak with Bacon, Cracked Pepper & Onions, Topped with a Green Peppercorn Sauce.\u00a0 And just when you think that is too much, we had a gorgeous Charcuterie board for us to snack on. Toasted Levian, Stilton, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, Nicoise olives, amazing Prosciutto, Sopressata, house-made whole grain mustard and candied spiced walnuts.\u00a0 OMG \u2013 it was delightful!<\/p>\n Heeerrre\u2019s Johnnie!!!!<\/b><\/p>\n<\/a>The night began with her insisting that we have drink(s) in the hotel lounge area.\u00a0 First of all this was very suspicious because she never drinks.\u00a0 Second of all the amount of booze she consumed was impressive so I knew something was up because this was seriously unusual behavior for her.\u00a0 However, not sure exactly what was going on; I rolled with it.<\/p>\n<\/a>The bar area was extremely nice.\u00a0 There was plenty of room to get our groove-on so Brandee and I waited about 30 minutes and our reserved table was never called.\u00a0 This was perfectly fine with us actually and eventually Brandee went and cancelled our formal restaurant reservation because we were perfectly content in the bar and could still order off the full menu.<\/p>\n