Two years into folk guitar and songwriting and this place opened a half hour car ride away. Went when I had a ride back home and often when I didn't. Sipped fragrant jasmine tea even when there was none left in my cup or a tall glass of something cold with orangeat syrup when I had money for a few.
It was beautiful. Waitresses endured the crushed stare of my fifteen years as they would glide between tables and a few shy words to whoever was playing as they sat between sets often led to longer chats on quiet nights.
Shared a long time waiting for a ride outside with Richie Havens who i talked to a couple times there. Saw him again at Iron Horse Northampton in '95 and we both flushed with tears a bit at remembering that a long time ago.