Mangia & Bevi

Yesterday’s send-off lunch for Ricky at M&B was a success, I think. There must have been around 20 people or so in our group at the restaurant, which was already quite busy with regular customers besides us, so the buzz and the ambiance was great. Our party was seated at two long tables, right next to each other, so we could move freely from table to table to sit and chat with colleagues, both past and present, who had come to wish Ricky all the best in her new job at Ryerson University.

Once we all got settled, Ricky’s manager and friend, Maria, got up to give a short speech on how much we’d enjoyed having her at the college and to wish her well for the future. At this point, Ricky was presented with her gift, which we had all contributed to – a certificate for a session at Elmwood Spa in downtown Toronto. I’ve been to this spa on a number of occasions, and it’s a very nice place; good service, well-trained staff and the building is old and pretty cool inside. Ricky was quite impressed with her gift and with all the attention she was getting this day and she gave a little speech herself (and presented us with a signed photo from her earlier, singing career!), to thank everyone for being so kind to her. I got up and also gave a short speech, which included a list of all the things I was going to miss the most about Ricky. At this point I pulled out a tiny, tiny piece of paper from my pocket and read from the list, which contained just one item: Ricky’s favourite phrase – “Look it!”, which she was forever using whenever she was telling a story. I mean, truly – these two words were repeated and repeated, over and over again by Ricky, all the bloody time whenever she opened her flamin’ mouth, it eventually became a standing joke between me, Ricky and El Franco!

Anyway, the food was good, too, although the service was a bit slow; given that we were quite a large group and that the place was already busy to boot, this was okay. Besides, the staff and owners of Mangia & Bevi* are great people and some of them are George Brown grads, so we were more than okay with the service. At this point, I must say Ricky behaved herself (for once!) throughout the whole lunch and was very reserved.

After lunch, we went back to the college where Ricky did the rounds at the end of the day, to say goodbye to everyone. My friend Lawrence and I then took her out to the local Bier Market, where she dined on mussels and Belgian frites, and washed it all down with a pint of Stella. We had fun with the waiting staff there, too, who seemed to be in competition over who should serve us. The two guys didn’t seem to like each other very much and weren’t really discreet about it. It was great for us, damn good entertainment watching them both take each other to one side and argue, heads together! I mean, come on – just bring us the beer and food, guys, without the testosterone, please!

All in all, I think Ricky had a great day and I was more than happy to organise this event for her. She got a good send-off with people she liked, delicious food, a nice gift and card signed by us all, and fond memories of her 17 months at GBC.

Now it’s onwards and upwards, so “look it!” – all the best in your next job at Ryerson, Ricky!

* Apparently, Mangia & Bevi may be moving at some point, possibly into the former Montreal Bistro and Jazz Club at 65 Sherbourne Street.

Related posts:

1. Ricky's last day
2. The Fabulous Miss Rické de York!