Here in downtown Seattle, we have a restaurant named El Gaucho. They are a top tier Chophouse and serve, what I consider to be, the best cuts of steak in the country. Their wine list is inspiring and expert service never fails to impress. The cigar room is one of my favorite metropolitan hide-outs, a spot where it's not uncommon to see Seattle's most important movers and shakers conversing and relaxing. As some of you may know, the State of Washington recently passed (by vote of the public) the most restrictive smoking ban in the country. Banning, without exception, all indoor smoking and smoking within 25 feet of a door, air intake, or open window (which makes smoking anywhere in downtown virtually impossible). The law continues with more restrictions but there is no need to disclose the annoying details. It went into effect on December 8th.
I rang El Gaucho this evening to check up on some reservations for this Saturday night's dinner and casually asked what was going to happen with their cigar room, now that Health & Safety had their way. The gentleman on the phone says, much to my surprise, "We are planning on keeping it open and paying the fines, our patrons have asked to continue to enjoy cigars there". I was ecstatic. If I had ever doubted that El Gaucho was devoted the perfect dining experience, this cleared any confusion. What's more, I'm excited that someone is standing up to these laws. If find it distressing that in a county which prides itself on freedom, I have to hold out hope that reasonable people are standing up to the government. I truly hope this catches on and the concept of making adult choices for me and my life is not lost.
Seattle is a very cool town...always great restaurants and I loved the fact I could always smoke a cigar after a fine meal...have not been to El Gaucho in a while (prefer the flavor of the meat at another steakhouse-- Metropolitan Grill) but will have to give it a shot on my next visit.
Posts: 862 | Location: Miramar, La Habana, Cuba | Registered: May 07, 2002
