Del Rio's!

Last night, we celebrated our fifth annual Christmas dinner at Del Rio's with Steve and Christy. We had a discussion beforehand as to whether our first trip there was in 2009 or 2010. I checked this blog and I did not post about a visit there in 2009, so I am pretty sure that 2010 was the first year we went.
Not that it makes any difference, but you know how I am.
Last night did not disappoint! We had reservations for the 5:15 seating and met at a place called the Tap House, just down the block from Del Rio's, so we would guarantee an on time arrival. It was Steve, Christy, Matt and his wife Jen, Caitlin and her friend Allie, and Jack, Wayne, Julie and me.
Dinner was great, but the highlight, as always, was the performance by singers from the Lyric Opera. There were 5 singers and they sang a mix of opera, show tunes and Christmas carols. Our table was perfectly situated, right near the piano, so that the singers were less than a foot away from us. The power of their voices!!! Amazing! Some of the songs are sing-along, including the ever popular Twelve Days of Christmas, with each table getting assigned a day...and when that day comes up, the people at the table have to stand up, sing and act out their part (example, four calling birds). It is the most fun when you get one of the lower numbers because that means you get to do your thing that many more times (eleven pipers piping only get to stand up twice, for example). The Lyric Opera performers do the assigning. Every year, we are anxious to see what number we get. I think the first year we had 8 maids a milking. Well, this year, we ARRIVED because we got PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE!!! We were so excited! It was so so fun and light hearted!
Thanks to our generous and thoughtful friends who make this tradition happen every year.