One Couple's Endless Dates At Anthony's Ristorante

For this month's Love In A Small Town feature, we asked Patch readers to tell us the story behind a specific spot in town where they fell in love. For Armando Sandoval, this spot is Anthony's Lounge & Ristorante in Murrieta, California. Here's his story:

“It was August 21, 2015, and I was working, much like today. I was starting to get a little nervous because I was going to meet a young lady I had been texting and talking with for about a week. She said she was going to listen to her favorite band at Anthony's Lounge & Ristorante in Murrieta. I worked about two minutes walking distance from there, so I asked if it would be okay if I joined her there so we could meet each other face to face. I don't even remember if we called it a date.

Fortunately, she agreed to let me meet her at Anthony's. I got there early to make sure we had a table, because I know how crowded it gets on Friday nights. I waited patiently to see if the woman I saw in pictures was as captivating in person (anyone who has done any online dating knows what I am talking about).

When she came through the door and I saw her, I knew her pictures did not do her justice. She was far more captivating and beautiful in person than in any of her pictures. I swear her smile lit up the room. We listened to Lifetime Rocker, and I discovered her favorite drink (a raspberry cosmo), her favorite bartender ever (Louie) and that she liked to have the restaurant’s bread with butter as she relaxed. The night went terrifically. We stayed until the band stopped and even went to Denny's for a bite to eat afterwards. When we finally said goodnight, or rather good morning, we did so very reluctantly.

We agreed to talk the next day, and the next, and the next. I am proud to say, we haven't stopped talking ever since. Many of our friends and family have seen us grow from kids wanting to get to know each other to two people dating, trying to see if we were what first impressions led us to believe. We’ve had so many amazing dates and dinners at Anthony’s. Whenever we go, Louie sees her at the door and makes sure a raspberry cosmo is in the works and ready when we sit down. A calm release comes over us when we go through the door there.

I don’t know how, but I surprised her with an engagement dinner a year and a day after we first met. Friends, family and our favorite band were there celebrating with us at Anthony’s. We are married now, shaping a home, health and happiness.

Anthony’s will always be our place to go back and fall deeply in love all over again. The food, the music and the atmosphere makes us feel right at home. I hope and pray all married couples have that special place to revisit and fall in love over and over again.”

— Armando Sandoval

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For next month's Love In A Small Town feature, we want to know: Have you ever had a chance encounter with someone that led to love? Email your story to locallove@patch.com for the chance to be featured. Get more details here.