While we’re taking a little break, this is a reprint of one of our favorite blog posts from prior years of Northwest Notes. Enjoy!

Three years ago (and totally under the radar), Il Fornaio, the popular Italian restaurant in Pacific Place shopping center in downtown Seattle, started an intriguing program in its main dining room that involves a red tablecloth and special freebies for one lucky couple each evening.

According to an e-mail from general manager Ross Lincoff, “The Italian term is ‘Tavolo d’Onore,’ which translates as, ‘Table of Honor.’ We started it about three years ago, with the idea of making it a focal point of the dining room—so people would look at the tablecloth color [red versus white in the rest of the dining room] and wonder, ‘What is that?’

“We see it as a way to really ‘wow’ the guest from a pure surprise perspective, something special and unexpected to make their dining experience more memorable,” Lincoff continued. “Sometimes we determine the winning couple by special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries, and sometimes it’s more of a spur-of-the-moment thing. It could be regulars that show up and are surprised, or people who strike up a conversation with the host who may seem like they’d enjoy a little extra attention.”

According to Lincoff, the Table of Honor has been an overwhelming success, and something that he feels is crucial, especially in these tough economic times. “We really believe that people are looking for a great experience, overwhelming value, and to be recognized more then ever. This is a GREAT way to accomplish all those things!”

So on a recent weekday night, during the height of our remodel and after two rounds of physical therapy that afternoon (one for my neck and the other for Spencer’s sprained ankle), we were lucky enough to be chosen to sit at the red-tablecloth table in the center of the busy dining room.

At first I figured we were “outed,” since we often eat in the main dining room of Il Fornaio or the more casual Risotteria down the winding stairs. Or perhaps because we live downtown and often shop or go to movies at Pacific Place. Or because I write about food and wine so much.

But we quickly realized that this happy and welcome coincidence was more likely because we fit pretty squarely into the category of “people who strike up a conversation with the host who may seem like they’d enjoy a little extra attention.”

And extra attention was certainly what we got from the moment the perky young hostess spotted us; whisked us to the aforementioned, dramatically draped, circular table in the center of the busy dining room; and introduced us to our very capable and knowledgable server, Luke L.

Luke quickly delivered our first freebie of the evening—a bottle of La Verde still (or we could have had sparkling) mineral water from the Italian Alps. Next we ordered a bottle of Domaine Drouhin 2006 Pinot Noir to sip during supper.

We quickly scarfed down the tasty (not to mention complimentary) antipasti plate that included chunks of Grana Padano cheese, toothsome olives, salami slices, bruschetta, and crostini with tapenade.