LIVING ACROSS the street from your own restaurant has its ups and downs. For one, says Olé Mexican Grill chef/owner Erwin Ramos, you're always working. But then again, he says, "whenever I want, I can have a party and just run over to Olé a few times to check on how dinner is going." Across the street from Olé in Inman Square, Ramos has just opened Olesito, a take-out counter offering tortas, burritos, soups, and salads, so his schedule is a little more crazy than usual. But he still finds time to cook for friends and then hit the town.
@ 6:15 p.m.: I love having friends over, and I usually cook for them. We may do a wine or tequila tasting on the veranda off the back of my house. I usually make a mole with chicken or tamales and get everyone to help out.
@ 7:30 p.m.: We'll head around the corner to our pre-outing spot, the Druid. A very good friend of mine, Mike, owns the place, so we are constantly there for a cider or a Guinness.
@ 9:45 p.m.: I like Temple Bar a lot, so I'll get another bite or a drink there.
@ midnight: I'm a dessert guy. I love desserts, and usually go to the North End for the cannoli. Or, you know, the really cheap desserts with espresso. They're great at midnight.
@ 2 a.m.: Four years ago, I would still be out, but now I have a four-year-old daughter, so I've tapered down a bit. I work so hard and give the best I can give in the restaurant business. But I like to keep things balanced, too.
