A Server’s Point Of View: Date Night At Ravish Off Ocean

It was a quiet Wednesday evening in Lantana, Florida. Although it’s peak season for restaurants and the snowbirds were soaking up the sunshine, reservations still depended heavily on the day of the week. Wednesdays usually brought at least a fifteen-minute wait, but tonight was peculiarly slow.

Ravish’s exterior lights were dimmed, the chandelier inside doing most of the work,  casting a warm glow that centered the room and quietly invited anyone passing by to come in. Jazz played softly through the speakers, and I found myself tapping my foot along to the double bass. I took a deep breath, let go of my expectations for the night, and decided that no matter how many guests I served, it would still be a good night.

About two and a half hours in, I had only finished one reservation, a birthday dinner for an older gentleman turning eighty-eight,  and a small table of younger women catching up over cocktails. I was preparing to start my closing side-work early when a young man appeared at the front door, standing there with a kind of nervous anticipation.

“Hi, welcome to Ravish. How many will be dining tonight?” I asked, picking up a menu.

“It’s just me for now, I’m waiting for someone,” he said quickly. “I don’t see her yet, but I can just sit and wait.”

He had thick hair combed back neatly and wore a loose white button-down tucked into blue jeans, finished with a black leather belt. “Of course, follow me,” I said, leading him to a table beneath one of the chandeliers, close enough to the patio to feel open, but tucked comfortably inside the dining room.

I brought him both still and sparkling water since he wasn’t sure what she would prefer. We chatted briefly about the menu; it was his first time at Ravish, though he said he had heard nothing but good things.

“We have one of the best smash burgers,” I told him, “but if you want to start with an appetizer, our local wahoo ceviche with candied sweet potatoes is to die for.”

I stepped back to give him space, though we both found ourselves quietly waiting. It was their first date, and the room felt perfectly set for two people getting to know each other.

Another ten minutes passed, and I started to feel nervous on his behalf. What if she didn’t show?

Then the door opened again.

A woman with long brunette hair stepped inside, wearing a fitted royal blue satin dress that caught the light as she paused. I knew immediately it was her. Before I could even greet her, she spotted him. She smiled, and he stood up at once, pulling out her chair as she joined him at the table, placing her purse on the chair beside her.

I understood his nerves instantly — she was stunning.

That night, I had only them, one other table, and a single high-top near the bar. It was perfect. They ordered a Bee’s Knees — honey, citrus, and gin — along with an Oaxacan Old Fashioned. When I suggested the ceviche, she lit up, happy to hear it featured raw fish.

They added our fresh bread service with cinnamon butter, Oysters Casino with mornay sauce, bacon-parmesan breadcrumbs, and chives, and our baked brie drizzled with hot honey and served with assorted fruit.

For their entrées, he chose our Airline chicken breast with spiced carrot purée, braised lentils, grilled asparagus, and crispy brussels sprout leaves. She ordered the catch of the day, a beautifully grilled swordfish. They were too full for the bread pudding but promised they’d be back to try it next time.

As they lingered over their final martinis, she laughed at something he said, leaning in just slightly, and it reminded me how special nights like these really are. How special it is to have a local restaurant to call your own.

Ravish Off Ocean isn’t just a private event space or a spot known for its happy hour. It’s a place where memories are made, where relationships begin, connections form, and ordinary Wednesdays turn into something quietly unforgettable.