I get distracted easily.

Not that that’s a particularly unfortunate problem to have, but when out to lunch last week, I found myself extremely, if not overly, flighty. Friday afternoon, I met with two friends for a casual lunch at Tapalaluna, 226 E. Lincoln Highway. I’d heard their appetizers were fantastic, and that I should go there with the intent to eat family-style.

That was all great and wonderful except for the ADD restaurant syndrome that ensued. What’s this, you ask, my readers? It’s that irritating inclination some have to let their eyes wander profusely throughout the meal. It’s not driven by attractive servers of the opposite sex, but rather large amounts of interesting decor.

Trust me, I wasn’t the only one doing it either. I saw many table neighbors letting their eyes wander as well.

It’s not that I’ve never been to a restaurant before; I go out. I’ve been to many of the restaurants in the DeKalb/Sycamore area and have never had this problem. I’ll normally sit before a meal, take in the atmosphere and then devote my attention to my date. I’m a Pisces; I like eye contact.

This time, however, this was not the easy task it typically is. Not only were we seated close to the bar, which boasts of a giant full moon cutout on the wall, but I chose to sit facing the doors leading to Lincoln Highway. Hel-lo, people watching!

Perhaps this is the downside to dining somewhere in a downtown area.

But this was not all. You walk in and your eyes are forced to adjust to the dimmed lighting. You blink, greeted by the host. Out of the corner of your eye, you see a quaint wine corner just begging you to visit it. You sit down and you’re met with an extensive and well thought-out menu with items ranging from bruschetta — you get to pick four toppings! — to Spanish-inspired paella.

The meal was great, don’t get me wrong. The service was pleasurable, for sure, but I couldn’t stop looking around!

This column, reading it through a second time, sounds like I’m whining about the nice problems I have in my life. I agree; it’s a fairly inconsequential thing to bother with. So rather than blame the nice people at 226 E. Lincoln Highway, I’ll take responsibility for my inability to stay focused. I applaud them for doing something different and interesting with their interior.

Either I do that, or I’m going to make a bad habit of blaming others for my ‘Look! Something shiny!’ syndrome.