There are run-ins, and there are run-ins.
This was a good one.
I know I haven't been around here for a while, but I figured if any group of people might like to hear this it would be on Interference.
My wife and I went to dinner last night to our favorite Greek restaurant and we sat right next to Bono and Ali. That is the punchline - the build-up is better.
We said hello to the host who always helps us and she said that our table would be ready in about 10 minutes and that we should have a drink at the bar. This usually pisses me off, but since we already had a few drinks in us, what was one more?
We went to the bar and had to stand, but there was one kind of gruff looking young guy sitting at the bar on a stool that he kept trying to offer my wife. We kept refusing and he finally sat back down. My wife and I stood and talked for a bit when he finally said to us, "Hey guys, I do not mean to be rude, but if you see me staring between you, I am not trying to listen to your conversation but rather I am a bodyguard and I need to have direct sight of my client at all times." This obviously piqued my interest and I looked around but could not see anyone famous in clear view. I figured he was either watching a politician I did not recognize, or he was full of crap.
In any event we started talking to this guy who had an accent, but as the restaurant was rather noisy I could not make it out. I said, "Hey where are you from - Greece?" He said, "No Ireland" and then I heard the accent clearly. My wife and I did not want to push and ask who he was here to watch, but our curiosity got the better of us. I said, "Are you protecting someone who is Irish?" He gave a smirk and said yes. I replied, "Well right now there are about 5 very famous Irish guys you would be here for, and four of them are in a band." Again he smirked. My wife finally cut through our crap and said, "Is Bono here?" He smiled and said yes. I almost dropped my drink.
We kept talking to the guy and out of nowhere he said, "Wait until you hear the new album." I said, "Really? you have heard some - I heard they had 50 or 60 parts of songs recorded." He said they do and it is going to blow me away. At this point I still had my doubts about this chap so I said, "Excuse me, I am going to go up to the host and see if our table is almost ready." I walked away (leaving my wife with him, probably not the nicest thing to do) and went to the host station - looking in the direction the guy was constantly looking and bingo there sat Ali and Bono. As I walked away I heard my wife say, "I actually like the Edge better - I have a crush on him" and the guy said "Yeah he is the cooler one."
The host said our table was ready, but was in a quiet part of the restaurant and pointed to the table next to Bono's and asked if that was OK - I think I actually slurred my words when I said yes of course. I went back, got my wife and tried to buy the bodyguard a drink. He said no, but thank you anyway and asked where we were sitting, I said, "Next to your boss."
The way our two tables were laid out my seat was immediately facing Bono and it was really hard to not stare. I actually felt like I had to conciously look away. I mean not 6 feet in front of me sat the one person who has been the most consistent part of my life aside from my immediate family. I have listened to him speak, sing, and grow up for the past 25+ years. It was really something.
Ali is absolutely gorgeous.
She is very skinny and looks much younger in person than some photos lead you to believe. They looked like a really really happy couple and were canoodleing, and kissing at the table - it was very cute. Again - we tried not to stare, but there were a few times I looked up and he was looking right at me. Now, without sounding strange, I have to say it was hard to describe that moment. I mean I have gone to too many shows to count and have sat everywhere from the front row to the rafters, but to sit there and basically look Bono in the eye and not say something to him...
I really considered getting up and saying something to them, or buying them a bottle of wine (that they were drinking) but did not want to be that person. What could I possibly have said, it would have totally interrupted them and they were having such a good time.
They ate and then got their bill which really brought them down to earth. It was actually really strange seeing Ali grab the check and pay. The bodyguard told us he was at Madison Square Garden during the day to see Madonna do her soundcheck, and I think Bono and Ali went to her show last night after dinner.
They got up, gave the waitress a double kiss, Bono threw on his army hat and they were off.
10 minutes later I said to the waitress, "You are still smiling." She replied that they are always at that restaurant, and that they are the nicest people in the world.
It was a great night.
right JC
It's good that you didn't interrupt Bono and Ali's date. 
Um no, I didn't say that at all, and it's totally not what I was talking about. At the end of the day I respect that U2's management would take Bono & the bands security issues seriously, and wouldn't have anyone incapable of doing their job properly hanging around as long as their security guys have.
I know it's a really bad example, but maybe it helps you see how I've read this thread... 
THAT is a wonderful story and really made my day. Thanks for sharing. It's nice there are fans around who are as classy as yourself and your wife who can act mature and normal when beside celebrities like Bono. I'm sure you are the kind of fans those celebs really truly appreciate!
