Welcome to Buca di Beppo!

Welcome to Toni's birthday party! John insisted we take everyone to Buca di Beppo, an Italian family style restaurant in Seattle.  We made a reservation for twelve people and were rewarded with a huge round table in a round alcove all to ourselves.  Needless to say, my opinion of Buca was heavily influenced by our super sweet seats! Here is a taste of the decor, and the guests!

Naked angel babies flew over us playing trumpets as we ate. It was a little distracting, and disturbing, too. They weren't wearing diapers, after all.

Thankfully, the current Pope was able to make it to Toni's party- after all, she's a big fan....Alex was convinced that Popey's eyes contained cameras. Recording for the Vatican, or the restaurant staff? Not sure....

We were completely surrounded by religious pictures, art, and statues. It was like it was MY birthday instead of Toni's! But it wasn't.

Alex eyes Lance suspiciously- or maybe he's still trying to catch the Pope camera?

Toni begged the waitresses to sing "Happy Birthday" to her, and really, what choice did they have? She made it clear their tip depended on it. And so they clapped and sang so well in unison it was almost like they had done it before. Five minutes ago. In an adjoining dining room. (Part of this is a lie- which part?)

Lance was so excited by the singing he forgot to cover his face when I took this picture- HAHA!

Everyone had a great time, and ate a LOT of food- small dishes feed 3 people, large dishes feed 6! We had a huge lazy susan in the middle of the table so that the pasta, wine, salad, garlic bread and tiramisu could revolved before us as we stuffed ourselves. Happy Birthday, indeed!