Solarity is a highly exclusive restaurant and seat at a table is a sign that, even if you have not made it, you are well one the way up the ladder. Only Ebons (and the odd Brain Waster on their best behaviour) get through the door. To book a table the Maitre d' has to know your name or you will be firmly but politely informed that the evening you are interested in is fully booked. 'Guests' (Solarity does not have dinners or clients- they have 'guests') are expected to be well dressed (black tie /cocktail dresses- no leathers here)
To insure the most relaxed of meals a table is only used once in any night, the 'guests' are free to remain there for as long as they wish. Unlike most restaurants, Solarity does not need a 'pack-em tight- high turn over' approach to be profitable. Instead a single three course meal (excluding drinks) will cost the 'guest' 300-400 credits. Meal for a couple including wine and liquors rolls in in the region of 1K.
As most of the 'guests' are Sla ops (few others could afford the high price tag.) there is a discrete weapon check in the 'cloak room'. From here the 'guest' is shown to the Maitre d' who personally checks their reservation and guides them to the table.
Inside the decor is Art deco furnishings in dark brown and rich reds. Scattered around the room are a variety of large well tended plants (ferns, Aspidistra, rubber plants etc) which give a gently flow of flux into the room - guaranteed to but a smile on the face of most Ebons.
The Maitre D' s position and the entrance over looks the room so people entering can clearly be seen by those already seated and visa versa. A short staircase leads down to the main floor and dance floor. Behind the Maitre D's rostrum is a trellis covered in vines concealing an open platform where a String quarter plays most nights, filling the room with the gentle sound of light classical music.
Dominating this open space is a very large angled window which gives the far side of the room an almost open air feel. (But with out the problem of rain) and provides a view over Central.
Though open plan, the restaurant has a number of distinct areas. Around the central dance floor (Made of real imported wood) are the 'couple' tables. A combination of subdues lighting and generous spacing between then, puts each couples into their own isolated world. This makes for a very romantic setting, and the romancing couples provide excellent cover for more business orientated meetings.
Under the glass curve there are large tables for bigger parties in the "patio".A wrought iron Balustrade and small step separates these two area. The limited light coming from Morts Rain filled skies is supplemented by strips of Dark Lament bioluminescent lighting strips that line the support beams for the glass. This areas is thus much lighter than the 'couple' tables. As the people dining here are in groups the space tends to be nosier that the other side of the restaurant. To insure these people do not disturb the romantic couples the there is a generous, plant filled, space between these tables, the balustrade and the couple table on the other side.
Along the left wall is another raised area; "the stage". Though usually used for extra small tables, this area can be closed off from the main room by a series of curtains and large plants and used for more private parties. The area is also used as a stage once a year during the Dept. of Eb Slamass party - this is the only time in the year that the whole restaurant is block booked to one 'guest'. Attempts to do anything similar, even for the best of reasons, are always rejected by the Maitre d', and no amount of money can persuade him otherwise. He does not want to disappoint his other 'guests'.
Each table has its own waiter who hovers discretely near by watching so that each part of the meal arrives and is take away with the most minuscule of delay. There is no Menu. Instead 'guest' are free to order almost anything (although if something unusual is required it is customary to 'warn' the Maitre d' when the booking is made) The waiters will advise the 'guests' of anything 'particularly in season at the moment' that they 'might like to consider.' and thus discretely guide the 'guest' in their choice of meal.
The kitchens responsible for the sumptuous food enjoyed by the 'guests' are situated under the raised area of the entrance, Maitre D's rostrum and 'bandstand'. They are well equipped and well staffed. Only Ebon's are permitted into the dinning area, but the restaurant prides itself on providing only the best of foods and so the staff in the kitchen is much more heterogeneous. The staff are well paid to ensure their loyalty and discretion. Any hint that a waiter may have mentioned anything over heard at table results in their instant censure and probable dismissal.
The only constant public face is the Maitre D', Paul. A humourless male ebon with Mahogany brown hair and a long face that looks as if it could never smile. (Any attempt to test this theory will be met with a firm but polite "Yes Sir" or "Yes Ma'am".) He is always dressed in a strict New paris styled black dinner jacket with a ruby red cummerbund and matching bow tie. He is focused and every efficient with a prodigious memory form names and faces. He personally deals with all the bookings and reservations, so although he is careful enough to provide a paper copy in case anything should happen to him, he never needs to refer to it himself to seat 'his guests'.
The Serving staff are all dressed in perfectly tailored and laundered
White jackets. Observant visitors to the restaurant may notice that on
the rare cases a jacket become dirtied in serving the food, by the time
the waiter in question reappears all trace of the stain has vanished.
(Either the laundry bill for the restaurant is extensive. Or it is the
most subtle use of the Death suit and protect free skill ever witnessed:
your call!)
Wine waiters wear jackets with faint red detail on the cuffs and
collars, and unlike the other waiters will serve a number of tables in
one night advising the guest on the best drinks to go with their choice
of food, or indeed visa versa on occasions.
With a 1 k price tag there are few 'regulars' at this restaurant. It is popular with the Static and New Paris embassy staff. Dark lament and a few other companies will use it to wine and dine important clients, but the Ebon only door policy limits its use in this respect. Instead it is mainly used as a quiet get away by the famous (and obviously wealthy) who can be sure of a sumptuous meal in discrete and very private surroundings.
If but one person believes in you
You can be a god.