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Shawn M.
(Setup: In 1998 Chez Nora installed a new Point of Sale System to replace an aging cash register. Chrissie Carter was our loved, long time day bartender)
Shawn says, "I tell this one all the time...
The first time I ever set foot in the place, I cuddled up to the bar - Chrissy was tending bar and, the first words out of her mouth were..." Hi there! Just so you know, you can order anything you want off the menu, except food. Mainly because I don't know how to work that f****ing machine."
I laughed hysterically and told her, well then I'll have a vodka cranberry, and make it a double.
I've loved the place ever since. I can't believe it has been 17 years...I've only been patronizing since 1998 - and I love you both to death. Thanks for being great friends.
Todd
I have many Chez Nora Stories of fun brunches, great dinners, and rough mornings due to the great cocktails at the bar or rooftop…. But the most important to me was the sense of compassion and understanding that Pati (and especially Lori on this occasion) made me feel when it was least expected. In the early summer of 2009, my grandmother passed away and it was quite heartbreaking for my family. Not wanting to think about making arrangements for a wake following the services, a simple call to Pati and Lori lead to a quick response. All I had to do was give the number of people I thought would come, arrange a budget, and the rest was in their capable hands. A lovely luncheon was awaiting in the Mediterranean Room. It was a weight off our shoulders at a difficult time. The great food comforted everyone. The Chez team was sensitive to our loss and welcome our guests.
What was a dreaded task in my mind ended up being a nice memory - - of a lunch gathering that my grandmother would have enjoyed, and it was filled with nice stories, leaving us with a lasting and closing happy memory. Thanks y’all –
L.G.
My Chez Nora story is one of coming out. It was at your restaurant - now many yrs ago - that I came out to a friend. It was a significant evening in that it was the first time that I chose to share the information with someone outside very limited family, like minded friends, and/or a psychologist. I and "my news", was met with a wonderful warm embrace and acceptance - just like your staff and restaurant - ( and for the record was not a surprise to my friend - but a really huge stepping stone for me nonetheless). I have been back to Chez Nora many times - one of my favorites places to go. I've taken 2 special "1st" dates there as well as include it on the TO DO list when friends come to town. I generally point out the "table - by the window" ( sorta like the table in Rainman over at Pompilio's ;-) ) ... where a significant part of my journey took place. Thank you for remaining supportive and inclusive to the GLBT community...and here's to many more years - on the corner!
Susan Boatwright
I love Chez Nora's!!! I love the atmosphere whether it be on the 1st floor or 3rd. What a fabulous party room you have too. My friend had her retirement party there. My favorite item on the menu may have been renamed tho....My favorite = Jimmy's favorite (the sirloin salad) -- O my YUMMY....what I like very best about Chez Nora's is that it's the place my Husband and I go for classy but simple and when we need a date place....O and Christmas Day...I love that you all give back.
Jimmy & Pati - The Proprietor Version
From the moment that Pati and I arrived at 6th & Main it was always cold in the winter when the front door opened. What to do. First we hung a grand theatre-style black curtain to block the chilly air. Years later we built a vestibule on both sides of the door to shield several tables. And then, we constructed a stoop and a railing that needed something more...so there I was, one day, outside, discussing our desires with a representative of Queen City Awning. What was our intention she asked. And I heard myself reply, "I wish to break as much wind as possible." And the world stopped spinning for an imperceptible instant.
Dave
Dave and Stephanie met in spring of 2009 through social sand volleyball leagues. They discovered they both had an affinity for the Covington Mainstrasse Village. Chez Nora in particular. So when Dave asked Stephanie out on a date for the first time, Chez Nora it was. Now, almost two years later, the wedding is underway. And both Dave and Stephanie agreed, what better place to have our rehearsal dinner than at the same place we had our first date? They both have very special memories connecting them back here.
“I remember our first date. We were sitting at a high-top table in the top floor of Chez Nora. Dave was positioned in front of the window, he was haloed in a warm glow from the sun setting behind him. It was then I knew I was going to marry this man.” -Stephanie
“I was circling the village looking for a parking spot just before our first date. I remember seeing a young woman standing at the corner waiting to cross the street. I admired her and thought she was a very attractive young lady. As I rounded the corner, I realized it was Stephanie and thought to myself, Wow! That’s my date!” - Dave
Customer of The Year
It happened on my 50th birthday. I was having lunch at Chez Nora with my 2 best friends when each of us was handed a small ticket. “What’s this?” we inquired. “It’s for our ‘Customer of the Year’ contest. Just fill out your name and phone number,” came the reply.
Imagine my delight when only a couple of weeks later I received a phone message from a gentleman with a deep masculine voice informing me that I had been chosen as ‘Customer of the Year’! I was so excited – and I didn’t even know what that meant.
When I returned the call, I spoke to Jimmy (of the deep masculine voice) Gilliece who told me that as ‘Customer of the Year’ I would receive $100 worth of food and drink each month for one full year!!
Needless to say, I began to enjoy my ‘COY’ privileges right away. I began by inviting my 2 best friends who were with me on my birthday. I wanted to celebrate my good fortune with them. After that I realized that some family and friends were ‘Chez Nora – worthy’ and some, sadly, were not.
Over the next 12 months I had more fun than you can imagine in a restaurant. Pati and Jimmy Gilliece and the staff at Chez Nora were absolutely wonderful. They treated me and my guests royally. I was able to try almost everything on the menu -- of course, it was all delicious.
Alas, all good things must come to an end, but Pati and Jimmy even made that special for me: they asked me to come and pull the winner for the next ‘Customer of the Year’.
Turning 50 that year could have been a reason for pause, but with the memory of ‘Customer of the Year’ I will treasure it always.
Thanks, Pati & Jimmy, for a simply wonderful year!
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