The front of the Serendipity was an old fashioned storefront that jutted out, its glass panes framed in black wood that held the panels in place.  The colorful display in that window hinted of the treats inside.  The foyer was mirrored and the entrance was lined with mirrored shelves displaying crowded rows of colorful toys and candy.  So many un-alike tiffany-style chandeliers hung from ceiling at slightly different heights that it seemed to anyone walking under them that they were passing under a sky of colorful whimsical glass.  The wooden chairs at the tables were painted white. The lower halves of the walls were covered in panels of vertical narrow pieces of wood, also painted white.  The large space was made to feel smaller by half height room dividers of wood, also painted white, adorned with scrolls where the dividers met the ceiling. The dining area seemed to exist because someone with a wishing lamp had asked for an ice cream parlor times three. Any guest was captured in a spell of magic, innocent fun, and festivity, as was intended.

It grabbed hold of all of the Fairbanks as they were guided up a spiral staircase to their table in a greenhouse covered in white lights that twinkled as they moved in response to the breeze outside.  At the end of the meal, as recommended by the concierge, Howie and Dana each had a frozen hot chocolate, a foot high confection served with foot long straws and spoons.  The glass was so tall that Howie had difficulty managing the straws and spoons.  Irwin and Sharon surprised themselves by ordering one of the silly concoctions to share.

Drew and Jenny felt the spirit of the place, and Jenny looked around the restaurant in wonder.  Father and daughter both felt the spirit of the place and surrendered to its playful effect.  They were guided up a spiral staircase to their small table squeezed in a corner of a greenhouse covered in white lights that twinkled as they moved in response to the breeze outside.

At the end of the meal, Jenny pointed to a nearby table, “May I have one of those?”

Drew looked to see that a family had been served chocolate desserts in oversized glasses.  He smiled at his little girl “Those are frozen hot chocolates.  This restaurant is famous for them.”