"Heavenly taste"; just what does that mean? I, personally am not sure there is a Heaven, or the other place, but if there is, just how would it taste?
All that aside, I enjoyed some of the finest Pasta of my life last night.
We have a neighbor of Italian decent and this lovely, active women is her late 80's is a master of making and serving Pasta. She out did herself with a wonderful fettuccine with a ground veal and fresh tomato sauce(very light ) plus the appropriate shredded cheese and a warm pottery bowl of perfect proportions. I was somewhere out of this world.
I can't recreate her receipt but I know that she spends hours "rolling and folding" the pasta dough before hand cutting the noodles. It is so light that without the sauce it would probably float out of the bowl.
Along with this beautiful dish she served white wine, a salad of greens and grapefruit sections with a very light dressing and Pumpkin Pie and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. One of the more delicious and fill meals of memory.
I do not usually write up home cooking but I just could not miss the opportunity to report.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Lunch and Dinner
Besides eating at home several times I have had several interesting lunches and dinner out during the past week. Not all or new, but all have not been visited, lately.
Last Friday, a friend and I had lunch at the "York Street Cafe", 738 York St. Newport KY-859-261-9675. The place was jumping. The back room was full of young women, approximately 20 in number, who were obviously enjoying themselves.
The two of us sat in the main room and ate from the regular menu. I chose a "navy bean soup" and an open face grilled Pita with eggplant, tomato and goats cheese, excellent but messy. My friend stuck with the curried chicken salad.
On Monday I met another friend for lunch at "Melt" 4165 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati-513-681-6358. Melt was a new spot for me although they have been in business for several years, it is part of the renewal of Northside. "Melt" is a store front space run by two women and furnished with what tables and chairs they were able to assemble. The place filled up, with overflow, at a little after noon. The menu is fairly extensive, for this type restaurant, and many of the choices are vegetarian. I chose a Artichoke Melt made with a artichoke-spinach spread with sliced fresh tomato's and melted white Cheddar cheese. The sandwich is served on focaccia and was somewhat along the line of my Friday pita melt at the "York St. Cafe". They were different but both very good. My friend had Vegan Chili and a grilled Tuscan Chicken sandwich, with a sun dried tomato sauce.
Switching to dinners: Tuesday night Marilyn and I went, with another couple, to "Bonefish Grill" at Edwards and Madison(Hyde Park) Cincinnati. We had not been there in several months. "Bonefish" has gone thru another switch in management. Tom Schidler, the first manager left for North Carolina and Wes Lofton has also departed the scene. There absence shows in some of the communication and seating, the other couple never got to our table, but luckily we found each other, but not in the food and service, which remains good for this type chain operation. It was noticeable that the "recession" is having an effect of their business.
After my Bombay I chose a house salad, which is always good and sufficient, and a Grouper Sandwich, with a spicy rub. "Bonefish" has started offering "Petite" portions, at a lower price, and Marilyn had her usual Parmesan crusted trout in this smaller size. "Bonefish" remains a good alternative to the more expense "downtown" seafood establishments.
Last night, after drinks and hor's dourves at our house, 5 of us went to "Amarin Thai and Sushi" in Hyde Park. The same people who run "Amarin" in Madeira have opened at 3514 Erie Ave, Cincinnati-513-321-5533. It is small, cheerful and every bit as good as the original.
I shared a sushi roll with the table and for a main course had a special of the week, Seafood Crispy Pad Thai. Others had chicken pad Thai, Thai spicy chicken with vegetables, tempura soft shelled crabs, pork dumplings and a nice bottle of Puley-Fusey for the table. A very good new find. I'm sure we will return.
We'll see what the coming week brings.
Last Friday, a friend and I had lunch at the "York Street Cafe", 738 York St. Newport KY-859-261-9675. The place was jumping. The back room was full of young women, approximately 20 in number, who were obviously enjoying themselves.
The two of us sat in the main room and ate from the regular menu. I chose a "navy bean soup" and an open face grilled Pita with eggplant, tomato and goats cheese, excellent but messy. My friend stuck with the curried chicken salad.
On Monday I met another friend for lunch at "Melt" 4165 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati-513-681-6358. Melt was a new spot for me although they have been in business for several years, it is part of the renewal of Northside. "Melt" is a store front space run by two women and furnished with what tables and chairs they were able to assemble. The place filled up, with overflow, at a little after noon. The menu is fairly extensive, for this type restaurant, and many of the choices are vegetarian. I chose a Artichoke Melt made with a artichoke-spinach spread with sliced fresh tomato's and melted white Cheddar cheese. The sandwich is served on focaccia and was somewhat along the line of my Friday pita melt at the "York St. Cafe". They were different but both very good. My friend had Vegan Chili and a grilled Tuscan Chicken sandwich, with a sun dried tomato sauce.
Switching to dinners: Tuesday night Marilyn and I went, with another couple, to "Bonefish Grill" at Edwards and Madison(Hyde Park) Cincinnati. We had not been there in several months. "Bonefish" has gone thru another switch in management. Tom Schidler, the first manager left for North Carolina and Wes Lofton has also departed the scene. There absence shows in some of the communication and seating, the other couple never got to our table, but luckily we found each other, but not in the food and service, which remains good for this type chain operation. It was noticeable that the "recession" is having an effect of their business.
After my Bombay I chose a house salad, which is always good and sufficient, and a Grouper Sandwich, with a spicy rub. "Bonefish" has started offering "Petite" portions, at a lower price, and Marilyn had her usual Parmesan crusted trout in this smaller size. "Bonefish" remains a good alternative to the more expense "downtown" seafood establishments.
Last night, after drinks and hor's dourves at our house, 5 of us went to "Amarin Thai and Sushi" in Hyde Park. The same people who run "Amarin" in Madeira have opened at 3514 Erie Ave, Cincinnati-513-321-5533. It is small, cheerful and every bit as good as the original.
I shared a sushi roll with the table and for a main course had a special of the week, Seafood Crispy Pad Thai. Others had chicken pad Thai, Thai spicy chicken with vegetables, tempura soft shelled crabs, pork dumplings and a nice bottle of Puley-Fusey for the table. A very good new find. I'm sure we will return.
We'll see what the coming week brings.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Wee still Eat Out
Oct. 7 my course at UC, "Let's Eat Out", began. It is interesting that we did not eat out much that week, having returned from our eastern road trip where we were eating out almost every meal for 11 days. Home cooking was very good, as usual at the Hirschhorn home.
On Friday night the 10th we went with another couple to the "Embers" in Kenwood. As many restaurants, reacting, to the downturn in the economy, the 'Embers' have a special 3 course menu offering 3 courses for $33. The four of us took advantage of this advertised special and found that the "Embers" was most accommodating in allowing some substitutions to what they offered. I was not in the mood for steak or the other items and I asked if they would include the special of the evening. red grouper, on the $33 diner. I was pleased when they agreed. The grouper was grilled and covered with a light Lobster sauce which included Bay shrimp and pearl onions. It was served on a bed of mashed sweet potatoes, which I substituted for plain mashed potatoes, and accompanied with steamed spinach; a excellent dish. Marilyn stayed with the 7 oz tenderloin which she enjoyed. We both had Caesar salad and flowerless choc. cake with vanilla ice cream. With he steak she had french fries and a side vegetable. Very good dinner and very good value.
Monday night Oct 13 was the "Greyhound Tavern", Fort Wright KY, and the family fried chicken dinner. Still a good buy at $13.95 including a half chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, cole slaw, bisquits and honey. All served family style and constantly fine quality and refills as much as desired.
Wednesday night, before the Ensemble Theatre we had dinner at "Lavomatic Cafe" 1211 Vine St, a few doors north of the theatre, 513-621-1999. Marilyn and I both had a delicious roast duck dinner with ample duck on a bed of creamed spinach. The duck was accompanied by a pumpernickel, apricot savory bread pudding and interesting and tasty addition. I choose a glass of "Cote de Rhone" which went perfectly. The play, "Sea fairer" was long, heavy but excellently done.
Thursday night 6 of us went to "The Precinct" Delta and Columbia Pkwy- 321-5454. This is our neighborhood watering hole. There has been a change in management, not ownership, but the food and service remain the same, first class. Marilyn and I almost always split a steak, a baked potato, onion straws and have our own salad. This is what we did and since it was one of the couples 61st Anniversary (long haul) we provided a raspberry cake from Bon Bonerie. A filling evening in several ways.
Continuing our support of the economy we went, with 2 younger people, not family, last night to "Otto's" 512 Main St. Covington KY. To comment on "Otto's" is really not fair. We feel like part of the family and are treated accordingly. Paul Weckman and his wife Emily Wolf started Otto's 6 or seven years ago at age 22. They started by serving sandwiches for lunch and now have a restaurant open 5 days per week for lunch and 4 nights for dinner plus brunch on the weekends.
Paul spoke at my class this week along with Renee Schuler, who operates a catering business.
Back to dinner. The four of us had an appetizer of "friend green tomato's" which I think they do better than anywhere and 4 different entrees. Tilapia, Roast Pork, Shrimp and Grits and Pene Pasta with shrimp, and 3 different onions. We all sampled everything. We had an excellent bottle of Pinot Noir, I wish I had written down the name. and shared one dessert for the table.
I am very fond of the place, the food and the owners. "Nuf Said".
As you can see we, well, made up for our nights at home after our travels.
On Friday night the 10th we went with another couple to the "Embers" in Kenwood. As many restaurants, reacting, to the downturn in the economy, the 'Embers' have a special 3 course menu offering 3 courses for $33. The four of us took advantage of this advertised special and found that the "Embers" was most accommodating in allowing some substitutions to what they offered. I was not in the mood for steak or the other items and I asked if they would include the special of the evening. red grouper, on the $33 diner. I was pleased when they agreed. The grouper was grilled and covered with a light Lobster sauce which included Bay shrimp and pearl onions. It was served on a bed of mashed sweet potatoes, which I substituted for plain mashed potatoes, and accompanied with steamed spinach; a excellent dish. Marilyn stayed with the 7 oz tenderloin which she enjoyed. We both had Caesar salad and flowerless choc. cake with vanilla ice cream. With he steak she had french fries and a side vegetable. Very good dinner and very good value.
Monday night Oct 13 was the "Greyhound Tavern", Fort Wright KY, and the family fried chicken dinner. Still a good buy at $13.95 including a half chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, cole slaw, bisquits and honey. All served family style and constantly fine quality and refills as much as desired.
Wednesday night, before the Ensemble Theatre we had dinner at "Lavomatic Cafe" 1211 Vine St, a few doors north of the theatre, 513-621-1999. Marilyn and I both had a delicious roast duck dinner with ample duck on a bed of creamed spinach. The duck was accompanied by a pumpernickel, apricot savory bread pudding and interesting and tasty addition. I choose a glass of "Cote de Rhone" which went perfectly. The play, "Sea fairer" was long, heavy but excellently done.
Thursday night 6 of us went to "The Precinct" Delta and Columbia Pkwy- 321-5454. This is our neighborhood watering hole. There has been a change in management, not ownership, but the food and service remain the same, first class. Marilyn and I almost always split a steak, a baked potato, onion straws and have our own salad. This is what we did and since it was one of the couples 61st Anniversary (long haul) we provided a raspberry cake from Bon Bonerie. A filling evening in several ways.
Continuing our support of the economy we went, with 2 younger people, not family, last night to "Otto's" 512 Main St. Covington KY. To comment on "Otto's" is really not fair. We feel like part of the family and are treated accordingly. Paul Weckman and his wife Emily Wolf started Otto's 6 or seven years ago at age 22. They started by serving sandwiches for lunch and now have a restaurant open 5 days per week for lunch and 4 nights for dinner plus brunch on the weekends.
Paul spoke at my class this week along with Renee Schuler, who operates a catering business.
Back to dinner. The four of us had an appetizer of "friend green tomato's" which I think they do better than anywhere and 4 different entrees. Tilapia, Roast Pork, Shrimp and Grits and Pene Pasta with shrimp, and 3 different onions. We all sampled everything. We had an excellent bottle of Pinot Noir, I wish I had written down the name. and shared one dessert for the table.
I am very fond of the place, the food and the owners. "Nuf Said".
As you can see we, well, made up for our nights at home after our travels.
Monday, October 13, 2008
South and West
We're getting to the end of the saga about our driving trip East.
Thursday morning, Oct 2, we loaded the CRV and pulled away from our great, free parking place of E 75th St. It took about an hour to clear Manhattan, via the Lincoln Tunnel and be on our way South on the Jersey Turnpike. Destination Baltimore. On the way we switched hotel reservations as we decided to combine our Washington stop with the Baltimore visit and head home on Friday.
I held off for my lunch but Marilyn succumbed to a "Whooper" when we hit Delaware.
I was rewarded with an excellent lump, crab meat cake after we checked in at the Hampton Inn, Glen Burnie. The hotel sent us to "Mo's Seafood Factory" 7146 Ritche Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 410-768-1000. It turns out that Mo's is a local chain with several stores and restaurants through out the area. Their Lump Crab Cake, $14.95, was all anyone could wish. White lump crab meat held together with a little egg and a hint of mustard, devine.
Dinner Thursday night was at "Fleming's Prime Steakhouse", just what the name implies. Our guests included our son Charles big boss, John Erickson and his wife, a nephew from D.C. and a cousin, who is in the Masters program at Johns Hopkins, and her friend. Fleming's is in a prime location, in the Inner harbor, at 720 Aliceanna St, right across from the downtown Marriott. It's decor matches it's menu, which is build around steaks, although there are other items.
We all had drinks and shared several bottles of wine and each of us had an excellent salad. The main course was steak and truly it was as tender and well prepared as any that I can ever remember. I am not a steak eater, and the menu does have other items, but my shared strip was delicious. Of course we had to have some "sides" and they, Shoestring Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus and Sauteed Mushrooms, were first class. Peach cobbler and coffee rounded out a near perfect evening.
Fleming's is a family owned and run business and the care and attention show. It was a fitting conclusion to our 10 day and 5 lb, gain, week in the East.
Thursday morning, Oct 2, we loaded the CRV and pulled away from our great, free parking place of E 75th St. It took about an hour to clear Manhattan, via the Lincoln Tunnel and be on our way South on the Jersey Turnpike. Destination Baltimore. On the way we switched hotel reservations as we decided to combine our Washington stop with the Baltimore visit and head home on Friday.
I held off for my lunch but Marilyn succumbed to a "Whooper" when we hit Delaware.
I was rewarded with an excellent lump, crab meat cake after we checked in at the Hampton Inn, Glen Burnie. The hotel sent us to "Mo's Seafood Factory" 7146 Ritche Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 410-768-1000. It turns out that Mo's is a local chain with several stores and restaurants through out the area. Their Lump Crab Cake, $14.95, was all anyone could wish. White lump crab meat held together with a little egg and a hint of mustard, devine.
Dinner Thursday night was at "Fleming's Prime Steakhouse", just what the name implies. Our guests included our son Charles big boss, John Erickson and his wife, a nephew from D.C. and a cousin, who is in the Masters program at Johns Hopkins, and her friend. Fleming's is in a prime location, in the Inner harbor, at 720 Aliceanna St, right across from the downtown Marriott. It's decor matches it's menu, which is build around steaks, although there are other items.
We all had drinks and shared several bottles of wine and each of us had an excellent salad. The main course was steak and truly it was as tender and well prepared as any that I can ever remember. I am not a steak eater, and the menu does have other items, but my shared strip was delicious. Of course we had to have some "sides" and they, Shoestring Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus and Sauteed Mushrooms, were first class. Peach cobbler and coffee rounded out a near perfect evening.
Fleming's is a family owned and run business and the care and attention show. It was a fitting conclusion to our 10 day and 5 lb, gain, week in the East.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
A bite out of the "big Apple"
Sept. 29, 30 and Oct. 1 were all spent in Manhattan, not a bad gig. There is something about New York that is different from any of the other cities we visit. Possibly it goes back to my Father who believed that the only vacation was spent in Manhattan.
We were blessed by good weather, we walk a lot, and the opposite side parking rule suspended for the Jewish Holidays, so what could have been better for our B&B at 75th and Madison.
I did have to park the first day, at a $36 charge, and that is low for Mid-town.
Monday, Marilyn and I slept late and then made our way to several of the stores on 5th Ave. before we met our friend, Rhonda Willers from Eau Clair WI, for lunch at the main Saks store. The reason we ate at the department store is that the General Manager, of the store, is a friend of ours and she was joining us for lunch. We also arranged to have our friend, whose apartment we use, be with us for as many meals as possible.
The 5 of us ate at the Saks Cafe, a delightful, modern room overlooking the garden of Rockefeller Center. The food is surprisingly good and very fresh. I had a wonderful blended Gazpacho and a Cobb salad, made with the hearts of romaine instead of iceberg. The Gazpacho was served in a very large martini glass which was very attractive but forced me to remove it from the plate so as not to spill on the way down to my mouth. Others had salads also, Salad Nicoise, Frutte del Mar Salad, with shrimp, scallops and calamari. We shared 2 deserts and had more than enough lunch.
Rhonda, who is a ceramicist and a teacher at several University of Wisconsin branches, joined the two of us at MOMA where we view several exhibits. We parted about 3:30 so that we could get ready for the late afternoon Holiday( Rosh Hashnah) service at Temple Emanu-el.
At 8 PM that evening we put together a larger group at one of our favorites, "Union Square Cafe" 21 East 16th St, New York, NY phone 212-2543-4020. Union Square Cafe(USC) was the first restaurant put together by Danny Meyer who is now acknowledged as one of the top restaurateurs in this country. We go there on almost every trip to NYC and feel right at home. Danny was in Tokyo, where they have opened a new,USC, restaurant this year, but, at our request, his wife and their son, who is a camper at Camp Nebagamon, where we spend our summers playing staff Grandparents, stoped by to say hello. There were 7 of us for dinner and I wont try to list all the items we ate and drank. The only disappointment was that by the time we ordered they were out of the "Monday night special, Lobster Shepard's Pie", so much for late night dining. The table had everything from Branzino(fish) to Gnocchi( Italian potato pasta) with my main dish being an excellent caramelized onion Risotto. Drinks, wine and several deserts and I'm glad I got the bill before the market sell off.
Tuesday Marilyn stayed in bed fighting a cold but Rhonda , who was staying in Brooklyn, and I walked upper Madison Ave visiting several galleries and one or two food markets. We get breakfast included at our friends home but Rhona had not eaten and she is a growing, attractive, young women.
Four of us met at "The Oyster Bar" at Grand Central Station for lunch. I needed an Oyster fix, handled admirably by a steaming bowl of well seasoned Oyster Stew. Others had lemon sole, squid Salad, our hostess likes a seafood salad at noon, and beautiful "fish and chips". Incidentally Grand Central has a beautiful food market which has been open about a year, it's well worth a stroll. The afternoon was a time to stop in a few ladies shops walking from 45th St to 75th and putting Rhonda in a cab for her flight back home.
Tuesday night dinner was a family affair, at the apartment, which our hostess both cooked and served. We did chip( no pun) in with some Graeter's.
Wednesday, I still hadn't moved the car, with no ill effect, Marilyn and I strolled thru Central Park, watched a publicity shoot and went to the new Museum of Art and Design, at Columbus Circle. I liked the museum and it's exhibitions very much. After a full hour, or more, there, we ducked into the subway and were on our way to the lower West side and several glass galleries, located between 26th and 14th streets. A light lunch in the garden at "Bottino" 246 10th Ave 212-206-6766 consisted of a sandwich each, mine Italian meats and cheeses, sort of an Antipasto, and Marilyn stuck with a well prepared flank steak. Back to strolling and gallery hoping and finally up town, via subway, and some actually shopping and bargaining with a street vendor. We got Marilyn and Our Granddaughter( the one in Maine) summer purses.
For dinner we follow the advice of our good friends the Davidow's. Harry has very good taste but no regard for costs. We went to "Scalinatella" 201 E 61st(corner of 3rd Ave.) 212-207-8280. It is a "scene". Small, crowded with a mixture of East side denizens and business types. The actual turn over time on a table, in this "white table cloth" restaurant, is under one minute; amazing. The food is excellent and very expensive. The Dover Sole was $78 dollars, the price of an airplane ticket to Dover. None of us had the sole but I did have a veal chop, $52.50 and a glass of excellent Italian Berollo, $25. Marilyn and I split a wonderful cappelletti with fresh tomato's mushrooms and shrimp in a delightful light tomato sauce, the sauce was seasoned beautifully and had the consistency of a fairly heavy broth. Both Marilyn and our friend had the veal special while our guest started with fried Zucchini blossoms, how upscale can you get?
The total cost for each was approximately what the total bill was for four of us in New Rochelle. Go at your own risk, financially. The food is good but I'm not sure what is the upper limit for an excellent dinner.
We were blessed by good weather, we walk a lot, and the opposite side parking rule suspended for the Jewish Holidays, so what could have been better for our B&B at 75th and Madison.
I did have to park the first day, at a $36 charge, and that is low for Mid-town.
Monday, Marilyn and I slept late and then made our way to several of the stores on 5th Ave. before we met our friend, Rhonda Willers from Eau Clair WI, for lunch at the main Saks store. The reason we ate at the department store is that the General Manager, of the store, is a friend of ours and she was joining us for lunch. We also arranged to have our friend, whose apartment we use, be with us for as many meals as possible.
The 5 of us ate at the Saks Cafe, a delightful, modern room overlooking the garden of Rockefeller Center. The food is surprisingly good and very fresh. I had a wonderful blended Gazpacho and a Cobb salad, made with the hearts of romaine instead of iceberg. The Gazpacho was served in a very large martini glass which was very attractive but forced me to remove it from the plate so as not to spill on the way down to my mouth. Others had salads also, Salad Nicoise, Frutte del Mar Salad, with shrimp, scallops and calamari. We shared 2 deserts and had more than enough lunch.
Rhonda, who is a ceramicist and a teacher at several University of Wisconsin branches, joined the two of us at MOMA where we view several exhibits. We parted about 3:30 so that we could get ready for the late afternoon Holiday( Rosh Hashnah) service at Temple Emanu-el.
At 8 PM that evening we put together a larger group at one of our favorites, "Union Square Cafe" 21 East 16th St, New York, NY phone 212-2543-4020. Union Square Cafe(USC) was the first restaurant put together by Danny Meyer who is now acknowledged as one of the top restaurateurs in this country. We go there on almost every trip to NYC and feel right at home. Danny was in Tokyo, where they have opened a new,USC, restaurant this year, but, at our request, his wife and their son, who is a camper at Camp Nebagamon, where we spend our summers playing staff Grandparents, stoped by to say hello. There were 7 of us for dinner and I wont try to list all the items we ate and drank. The only disappointment was that by the time we ordered they were out of the "Monday night special, Lobster Shepard's Pie", so much for late night dining. The table had everything from Branzino(fish) to Gnocchi( Italian potato pasta) with my main dish being an excellent caramelized onion Risotto. Drinks, wine and several deserts and I'm glad I got the bill before the market sell off.
Tuesday Marilyn stayed in bed fighting a cold but Rhonda , who was staying in Brooklyn, and I walked upper Madison Ave visiting several galleries and one or two food markets. We get breakfast included at our friends home but Rhona had not eaten and she is a growing, attractive, young women.
Four of us met at "The Oyster Bar" at Grand Central Station for lunch. I needed an Oyster fix, handled admirably by a steaming bowl of well seasoned Oyster Stew. Others had lemon sole, squid Salad, our hostess likes a seafood salad at noon, and beautiful "fish and chips". Incidentally Grand Central has a beautiful food market which has been open about a year, it's well worth a stroll. The afternoon was a time to stop in a few ladies shops walking from 45th St to 75th and putting Rhonda in a cab for her flight back home.
Tuesday night dinner was a family affair, at the apartment, which our hostess both cooked and served. We did chip( no pun) in with some Graeter's.
Wednesday, I still hadn't moved the car, with no ill effect, Marilyn and I strolled thru Central Park, watched a publicity shoot and went to the new Museum of Art and Design, at Columbus Circle. I liked the museum and it's exhibitions very much. After a full hour, or more, there, we ducked into the subway and were on our way to the lower West side and several glass galleries, located between 26th and 14th streets. A light lunch in the garden at "Bottino" 246 10th Ave 212-206-6766 consisted of a sandwich each, mine Italian meats and cheeses, sort of an Antipasto, and Marilyn stuck with a well prepared flank steak. Back to strolling and gallery hoping and finally up town, via subway, and some actually shopping and bargaining with a street vendor. We got Marilyn and Our Granddaughter( the one in Maine) summer purses.
For dinner we follow the advice of our good friends the Davidow's. Harry has very good taste but no regard for costs. We went to "Scalinatella" 201 E 61st(corner of 3rd Ave.) 212-207-8280. It is a "scene". Small, crowded with a mixture of East side denizens and business types. The actual turn over time on a table, in this "white table cloth" restaurant, is under one minute; amazing. The food is excellent and very expensive. The Dover Sole was $78 dollars, the price of an airplane ticket to Dover. None of us had the sole but I did have a veal chop, $52.50 and a glass of excellent Italian Berollo, $25. Marilyn and I split a wonderful cappelletti with fresh tomato's mushrooms and shrimp in a delightful light tomato sauce, the sauce was seasoned beautifully and had the consistency of a fairly heavy broth. Both Marilyn and our friend had the veal special while our guest started with fried Zucchini blossoms, how upscale can you get?
The total cost for each was approximately what the total bill was for four of us in New Rochelle. Go at your own risk, financially. The food is good but I'm not sure what is the upper limit for an excellent dinner.
Friday, October 10, 2008
On to New York
Sunday Sept. 28, our son, Charles, Birthday, the rain continued but was lightening and more spotty. The poor weather, of the weekend, was all do to the rain surrounding Hurricane "IKE". Maine was under a hurricane watch for the first time in 17 years.
We loaded the car and headed south on I 95 crossing a tiny part of Rhode Island and into Connecticut, beautiful territory, especially as the rain ended. We were on our way to visit some other young relatives who live in Madison, Connecticut. I assume Madison is considered to be part of the greater New York area even though New Haven is the closest large city. Madison is l0vly as are many places along the Long Island Sound. Our relatives chose to have Brunch( approximately 1 PM) at "Elizabeth's Cafe", 885 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT.
"Elizabeth's Cafe" has grown from the kitchen and and storage facilities of a Catering company, "Perfect Parties". Added to the basic facilities are 2 "tea-room"type dining areas. White table cloths, New England wooden furniture and cafe curtains to match the decor. The food was better than the average Brunch. All was served on individual plates except for the basket of warm bread and rolls. I had an excellent corned beef Hash, not the packaged variety. The beef was actual chunks and the potato's and onions were also. I asked that the hash be crisp and that the poached eggs be firm but still runny. I am happy to report everything came as ordered. The other male duplicated my order while Marilyn had a beautiful Quiche and the other female had a tomato, herb and Goat Cheese omelet. Fresh orange juice, coffee and tea augmented the main courses. Total cost, for the 4 of us, including tip was $72.
By 2 PM we were again on our way to Mamarineck to visit my first cousin and her friend( whatever the PC for older people spending time together). We had been invited to attend a house concert given by the Brentano string quartet. The concert, which was called for 4 PM, but started late, was wonderful and the home, inhabited by an art dealer, was amazing. A special treat added to our journey. After the concert, and some discussion, the four of us went to try a new restaurant which they had heard about in what we thought was Larchmont, NY.
"Spadaro Restorante", 211 Main St. New Rochelle, NY, phone 914-235-4595 is the kind of small, strip mall Italian Restaurant you hope to find often, and are usually disappointed. The family run operation, we were served by the sister-in-law of the owner chef, was started about 4 months ago by a family that recently emigrated from Rome( not NY). It is crowded, full of families and will drowned you in food if you let them. We were served, without menus, and I only wish I had had paper and pen to record what came to our table. The Antipasto went on for almost an hour and contained close to a dozen dishes. Memorable were the bowl of hot mussels, potatoes in an olive oil and lemon broth, both asparagus and small green beans lightly sauteed in olive oil and herbs, Cappinota, sausage, cheese, mellon and prosciutto and too many others to remember. We had a fine bottle of Valpolicello and a pasta with 3 kinds of mushrooms, small pieces of prosciutto and a very light cream sauce. The meal was delicious and we will return, if possible. We quit about 9 PM and the place was still full. Our cousin's friend lead us to the proper "free way" and headed us towards Manhattan where we arrived at 10 PM, with only one, expensive, wrong turn. Incidentally our dinner at "Spadaro" cost $35 each including tip.
Next comes NYC where dinner for one can cost what the above meal cost for the four.
We loaded the car and headed south on I 95 crossing a tiny part of Rhode Island and into Connecticut, beautiful territory, especially as the rain ended. We were on our way to visit some other young relatives who live in Madison, Connecticut. I assume Madison is considered to be part of the greater New York area even though New Haven is the closest large city. Madison is l0vly as are many places along the Long Island Sound. Our relatives chose to have Brunch( approximately 1 PM) at "Elizabeth's Cafe", 885 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT.
"Elizabeth's Cafe" has grown from the kitchen and and storage facilities of a Catering company, "Perfect Parties". Added to the basic facilities are 2 "tea-room"type dining areas. White table cloths, New England wooden furniture and cafe curtains to match the decor. The food was better than the average Brunch. All was served on individual plates except for the basket of warm bread and rolls. I had an excellent corned beef Hash, not the packaged variety. The beef was actual chunks and the potato's and onions were also. I asked that the hash be crisp and that the poached eggs be firm but still runny. I am happy to report everything came as ordered. The other male duplicated my order while Marilyn had a beautiful Quiche and the other female had a tomato, herb and Goat Cheese omelet. Fresh orange juice, coffee and tea augmented the main courses. Total cost, for the 4 of us, including tip was $72.
By 2 PM we were again on our way to Mamarineck to visit my first cousin and her friend( whatever the PC for older people spending time together). We had been invited to attend a house concert given by the Brentano string quartet. The concert, which was called for 4 PM, but started late, was wonderful and the home, inhabited by an art dealer, was amazing. A special treat added to our journey. After the concert, and some discussion, the four of us went to try a new restaurant which they had heard about in what we thought was Larchmont, NY.
"Spadaro Restorante", 211 Main St. New Rochelle, NY, phone 914-235-4595 is the kind of small, strip mall Italian Restaurant you hope to find often, and are usually disappointed. The family run operation, we were served by the sister-in-law of the owner chef, was started about 4 months ago by a family that recently emigrated from Rome( not NY). It is crowded, full of families and will drowned you in food if you let them. We were served, without menus, and I only wish I had had paper and pen to record what came to our table. The Antipasto went on for almost an hour and contained close to a dozen dishes. Memorable were the bowl of hot mussels, potatoes in an olive oil and lemon broth, both asparagus and small green beans lightly sauteed in olive oil and herbs, Cappinota, sausage, cheese, mellon and prosciutto and too many others to remember. We had a fine bottle of Valpolicello and a pasta with 3 kinds of mushrooms, small pieces of prosciutto and a very light cream sauce. The meal was delicious and we will return, if possible. We quit about 9 PM and the place was still full. Our cousin's friend lead us to the proper "free way" and headed us towards Manhattan where we arrived at 10 PM, with only one, expensive, wrong turn. Incidentally our dinner at "Spadaro" cost $35 each including tip.
Next comes NYC where dinner for one can cost what the above meal cost for the four.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Heading South
In Lewiston, Maine you can get in your car and drive in any direction. For us it was an easy decision to head South, and so on Saturday morning, Sept 27, we loaded the CRV, minus the things left with Kathryn and headed towards Portsmouth New Hampshire and the Passer-Krieger Family. Alice is a cardiologist based in Exeter, NH and Barry is the Rabbi for a very small, and interesting, Congregation in the northern suburbs of Boston. As luck would have it, when we arrived at their beautiful home, on a tidal marsh and bay, we found both of their boys home for a visit.
After a full house tour and much discussion we all drove back across the river to Kittery, ME and "Warren's Lobster House",11 Water St., the quintessential Maine Seafood establishment. I had my last "lobster roll" of this trip while the others, 7 in all, ordered everything from "salad bar" to Pasta and seafood. Warren's Lobster House is good but the most outstanding thing was our attractive server who after getting a BA with an English major had decided to go back to school to receive a nursing degree in a more guaranteed hiring profession. Smart young women and passable seafood.
By mid afternoon we were off for our next stop, Boston. Around 5PM after fighting rain and Boston traffic, enhanced by the last Red Socks, Yankees final series of the year, we arrived at our destination for the night, Brookline,MA in the vicinity of BU. Because the college is around the corner, there is no "on street parking" so the next 10 minutes, in the rain, were spent rearranging cars in the driveway and on the sidewalk.
We spent the night with Carol Gladstone and Ben Wipple and their terrific kids, cats and "this old house". We had all decided that we would dine at one of the "Legal Sea Foods" Restaurants that cover the Boston area. After the kids got home, from more important activities, cleaned up and went to "Legal Sea Foods", Park Square, 26 Park Square, Boston, MA. This one was selected because it is right next to the parking garage where Carol has a reserved space. More on eastern big city parking when we get to NYC.
We pulled out all the stops, even going so far as letting the kids order 2nd's to the items which adults had taken to large a "bite". Drinks ran from Juices to Gin. First courses, hot appitisers(shrimp wontons, fried oysters, etc) salads and of course clam chowder, while main courses included trout, salmon, shrimp, pasta and Squid. We didn't skimp on beverages, including red and white wines and with two teenagers there had to be numerous deserts. A suite at a deluxe hotel would have cost less than our "free" third floor walk up bedroom; but the company would not have been as delightful. Legal Sea Foods is a well known and well run operation and the food and service is always good, if not memorable.
Finally to bed, after more talk, an a good nights rest accompanied by rain on the roof.
After a full house tour and much discussion we all drove back across the river to Kittery, ME and "Warren's Lobster House",11 Water St., the quintessential Maine Seafood establishment. I had my last "lobster roll" of this trip while the others, 7 in all, ordered everything from "salad bar" to Pasta and seafood. Warren's Lobster House is good but the most outstanding thing was our attractive server who after getting a BA with an English major had decided to go back to school to receive a nursing degree in a more guaranteed hiring profession. Smart young women and passable seafood.
By mid afternoon we were off for our next stop, Boston. Around 5PM after fighting rain and Boston traffic, enhanced by the last Red Socks, Yankees final series of the year, we arrived at our destination for the night, Brookline,MA in the vicinity of BU. Because the college is around the corner, there is no "on street parking" so the next 10 minutes, in the rain, were spent rearranging cars in the driveway and on the sidewalk.
We spent the night with Carol Gladstone and Ben Wipple and their terrific kids, cats and "this old house". We had all decided that we would dine at one of the "Legal Sea Foods" Restaurants that cover the Boston area. After the kids got home, from more important activities, cleaned up and went to "Legal Sea Foods", Park Square, 26 Park Square, Boston, MA. This one was selected because it is right next to the parking garage where Carol has a reserved space. More on eastern big city parking when we get to NYC.
We pulled out all the stops, even going so far as letting the kids order 2nd's to the items which adults had taken to large a "bite". Drinks ran from Juices to Gin. First courses, hot appitisers(shrimp wontons, fried oysters, etc) salads and of course clam chowder, while main courses included trout, salmon, shrimp, pasta and Squid. We didn't skimp on beverages, including red and white wines and with two teenagers there had to be numerous deserts. A suite at a deluxe hotel would have cost less than our "free" third floor walk up bedroom; but the company would not have been as delightful. Legal Sea Foods is a well known and well run operation and the food and service is always good, if not memorable.
Finally to bed, after more talk, an a good nights rest accompanied by rain on the roof.
Monday, October 6, 2008
On to L-A East
L-A East is the new marketing slogan for Lewiston-Auburn Maine. We set out Thursday,Sept 25, morning, at 7:30 from Syracuse in a light fog. As we entered the Mohawk Valley, in upper NY, the fog increased until it was difficult to see a car length ahead. Obviously, it was tough, slow going till we clear that zone. At Schenectady we left the Thruway route in favor of a shorter but slower road thru the Green Mountains of Vermont and then New Hampshire. We're glad we did. The trees were turning and the foledge, a mix of bright green to crimson red was outstanding.
We stoped for gas in Bennington Vt and were so impressed we drove for a few minutes around town. Somewhere over the top of the mountain range we stoped for lunch from our cooler, I had the ribs from the night before while Marilyn had the rest of her corned beef. We always carry fruit, cheese and nuts so we hardly go hungry. While sitting on some rocks we remarked that we had not seen a "wayside" and I jokingly said "I bet there is one a mile ahead" Fate proven me correct but by then we were on our way.
We arrived at the "Ware Street Inn" at 52 Ware St. in Lewiston, Maine around 4 PM. This lovely B&B is right across the street from our Granddaughter's dorm and was a perfect location for us for the next several days. The Inn is run by Jan and Mike Barren who bought a colonial house and converted it 9 years ago to a 6 room B&B. He is the "handyman" and she the hostess and cook. She knows food and nutrition, as you will see. Our room was large with a king sized bed and full closet plus private bath. The rate was $130 per night. Two local restaurants she recommend that we missed, were "Chickadee" for lobster rolls and "Fuel" for dinner. Others have since confirmed her choices.
Our Granddaughter, Kathryn, took us on the first of several tours of the Bates campus. It is a typical, beautiful New England college including the red brick buildings, stone chapel and green rimed pond. Bates has about 1800 students and seems to be a fine mix from all over, although the preponderance are from New England and the East coast.
For dinner that evening we went to "Fish Bones" in and old mill building at 710 Lincoln St. Lewiston, ME, 04240 phone 207-333-3663 where Kimberly took care of us with excellent service and advice. An aside, a week later Kathryn went with her parents and had the same table and the same server. We dined on Lobster Rangoon, 2 split salads, one Caesar and one house, Lobster Cappellini( after all we were in Maine), a house made Gravlax, it can't be all Lobster, and appropriate drinks before and during dinner. Total cost including tip, $35/person.
The next morning the breakfast buffet held several juices, yogurt, cut up fruit, pumpkin cranberry bread, assorted cereals, milk, cream etc. while kitchen produced French toast with homemade orange-fig syrup of pure maple syrup.
After breakfast we went to the Bates Art museum which was holding a seminar as part of the New England Craft trail, on the following day. We met the museum curator and spent a pleasant half hour with him. Then it was off to the old and new libraries for more art and education. When Kathryn went to class, 12 to 4 we went to Freeport and LLBean plus other high end outlets. What would lunch be without a Lobster roll, which are as plentiful as outlets in Freeport. Late afternoon we took Kathryn for some food(read, snacks) shopping at a fine market in Auburn and then got ready for dinner.
Friday night was "The Sedgley Place" Country Inn Dining in Greene Maine 04236 (207)946-5990. This is about 15 minutes north of our B&B. "The Sedgley Place" offers 5 course, price fixed dinners with seating at 5, 6 or 7. Kathryn had chosen 7 and it was a good choice as it was a dark rainy night and her Grandfather made a couple of wrong turns before we got there. Our three main courses were Veal Cutlet(Marilyn), Filet Mignon(Kathryn) and 16 oz Prime Rib( the writer). Eight oz. of Prime rib went back to the dorm with the Granddaughter. Everyone started with a fist course, I chose a creamy vegetable soup which was really excellent, while Marilyn had French Onion and Kathryn stuffed mushrooms. We each had salads, pasta and the house vegetable. Desserts, where not necessary but included and awesome. All this for $28.95. We should move to Greene, ME. Found our way home and staked out a couple of land marks so that Kathryn and the B&B could get others there.
The next morning Jan had the usual array but the loaf changed to spice, nut bread and the kitchen produced "Oatmeal, nut, cranberry pancakes" served with homemade blueberry, raspberry or real maple syrup. We could hardly drag our selves upstairs to pack and then load our car, for more New England adventures.
We stoped for gas in Bennington Vt and were so impressed we drove for a few minutes around town. Somewhere over the top of the mountain range we stoped for lunch from our cooler, I had the ribs from the night before while Marilyn had the rest of her corned beef. We always carry fruit, cheese and nuts so we hardly go hungry. While sitting on some rocks we remarked that we had not seen a "wayside" and I jokingly said "I bet there is one a mile ahead" Fate proven me correct but by then we were on our way.
We arrived at the "Ware Street Inn" at 52 Ware St. in Lewiston, Maine around 4 PM. This lovely B&B is right across the street from our Granddaughter's dorm and was a perfect location for us for the next several days. The Inn is run by Jan and Mike Barren who bought a colonial house and converted it 9 years ago to a 6 room B&B. He is the "handyman" and she the hostess and cook. She knows food and nutrition, as you will see. Our room was large with a king sized bed and full closet plus private bath. The rate was $130 per night. Two local restaurants she recommend that we missed, were "Chickadee" for lobster rolls and "Fuel" for dinner. Others have since confirmed her choices.
Our Granddaughter, Kathryn, took us on the first of several tours of the Bates campus. It is a typical, beautiful New England college including the red brick buildings, stone chapel and green rimed pond. Bates has about 1800 students and seems to be a fine mix from all over, although the preponderance are from New England and the East coast.
For dinner that evening we went to "Fish Bones" in and old mill building at 710 Lincoln St. Lewiston, ME, 04240 phone 207-333-3663 where Kimberly took care of us with excellent service and advice. An aside, a week later Kathryn went with her parents and had the same table and the same server. We dined on Lobster Rangoon, 2 split salads, one Caesar and one house, Lobster Cappellini( after all we were in Maine), a house made Gravlax, it can't be all Lobster, and appropriate drinks before and during dinner. Total cost including tip, $35/person.
The next morning the breakfast buffet held several juices, yogurt, cut up fruit, pumpkin cranberry bread, assorted cereals, milk, cream etc. while kitchen produced French toast with homemade orange-fig syrup of pure maple syrup.
After breakfast we went to the Bates Art museum which was holding a seminar as part of the New England Craft trail, on the following day. We met the museum curator and spent a pleasant half hour with him. Then it was off to the old and new libraries for more art and education. When Kathryn went to class, 12 to 4 we went to Freeport and LLBean plus other high end outlets. What would lunch be without a Lobster roll, which are as plentiful as outlets in Freeport. Late afternoon we took Kathryn for some food(read, snacks) shopping at a fine market in Auburn and then got ready for dinner.
Friday night was "The Sedgley Place" Country Inn Dining in Greene Maine 04236 (207)946-5990. This is about 15 minutes north of our B&B. "The Sedgley Place" offers 5 course, price fixed dinners with seating at 5, 6 or 7. Kathryn had chosen 7 and it was a good choice as it was a dark rainy night and her Grandfather made a couple of wrong turns before we got there. Our three main courses were Veal Cutlet(Marilyn), Filet Mignon(Kathryn) and 16 oz Prime Rib( the writer). Eight oz. of Prime rib went back to the dorm with the Granddaughter. Everyone started with a fist course, I chose a creamy vegetable soup which was really excellent, while Marilyn had French Onion and Kathryn stuffed mushrooms. We each had salads, pasta and the house vegetable. Desserts, where not necessary but included and awesome. All this for $28.95. We should move to Greene, ME. Found our way home and staked out a couple of land marks so that Kathryn and the B&B could get others there.
The next morning Jan had the usual array but the loaf changed to spice, nut bread and the kitchen produced "Oatmeal, nut, cranberry pancakes" served with homemade blueberry, raspberry or real maple syrup. We could hardly drag our selves upstairs to pack and then load our car, for more New England adventures.
Driving East
We left Cincinnati at 7:45 AM Wed. Sept. 24 on our planed 10 to 12 days along the East Coast. We drove, approximately 3000 miles but knew that it would be easier than flying to many spots with luggage, rental cars and baggage for some of our destinations.
The, ostensible, reason for the first leg was to deliver winter gear, ski's etc to our Granddaughter who is a freshman at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Our first nights goal was Syracuse NY, 600 miles from Cincinnati.
After a pit stop in Columbus, we went on to Cleveland for lunch with some good friends at "Corky&Lenny's" a true delicatessen in the old fashion mould. I could hardly wait for the cabbage soup and a Sable Platter which is my usual on a first delicatessen visit after a considerable absence. Marilyn goes for the standard "Corned Beef on Rye". I was not disappointed although there are several spots in the mid-west with better cabbage soup and who have more calls for Sable so that it has been out of the cooler for a longer time. Compared to Cincinnati, with no real "deli" it was great. Some of Marilyn's sandwich went in the cooler for lunch the next day.
Back in the car we finished Ohio, went thru a small portion of Penn. and hit the NY Thruway, which skirted Buffalo. I must admit that I had not considered the tolls we paid for the whole trip and although they did mount up they were not onerous.
We arrived at our Hampton Inn on the east side of Syracuse around 6:45PM. There was a unanimous recommendation, room clerk and people in the lobby, that the only place to eat was The "Dinosaur Bar-B-Que" located at 246 Willow St. in Downtown. The phone number is 315-476-4937, but it is only useful if you want "carry out" as they take no reservations. Being up for anything the "Dinosaur" is where we went.
When we arrived, parking a block away, we were greeting by a large corner location, with many customers in the "beer garden" and the street full of motorcycles. The place is a "scene". We forged on, and after walking thru several room sighted the receptionist booth under it's neon sign. The women on duty was closer to our age than that of most of the customers and so after a mention that we had come from Cincinnati she told us to take a table for 2 wedged against the wall and and next to what eventually becomes a stage for late night Blues.
Our waitress was great, and fairly indistinguishable from many of the others in her tight Jeans and somewhat revealing top, but "hay" the tighter the Jeans the bigger the tips. She was very professional knowing the menu, which is fairly large and good with bar service and food.
Marilyn and I settled for the "Sweetheart Deal for Two", a full rack, 12-13 fair sized ribs, 4 homemade sides, in our case cole slaw, Bar-B-Que Beans, fresh salad with house dressing and mac and cheese. Along with this comes corn bread and 4 or five different sauces, from sweet to very hot. "The Deal" goes for a total of $24.95. Our total bill, including drinks and over a 20% tip was $51.50. I should do so well in NYC.
We found our way back to the motel, after one or two wrong turns, took showers, always good after Bar-B-Que and hit the sack. A very fulfilling first day, in more ways than one.
The, ostensible, reason for the first leg was to deliver winter gear, ski's etc to our Granddaughter who is a freshman at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Our first nights goal was Syracuse NY, 600 miles from Cincinnati.
After a pit stop in Columbus, we went on to Cleveland for lunch with some good friends at "Corky&Lenny's" a true delicatessen in the old fashion mould. I could hardly wait for the cabbage soup and a Sable Platter which is my usual on a first delicatessen visit after a considerable absence. Marilyn goes for the standard "Corned Beef on Rye". I was not disappointed although there are several spots in the mid-west with better cabbage soup and who have more calls for Sable so that it has been out of the cooler for a longer time. Compared to Cincinnati, with no real "deli" it was great. Some of Marilyn's sandwich went in the cooler for lunch the next day.
Back in the car we finished Ohio, went thru a small portion of Penn. and hit the NY Thruway, which skirted Buffalo. I must admit that I had not considered the tolls we paid for the whole trip and although they did mount up they were not onerous.
We arrived at our Hampton Inn on the east side of Syracuse around 6:45PM. There was a unanimous recommendation, room clerk and people in the lobby, that the only place to eat was The "Dinosaur Bar-B-Que" located at 246 Willow St. in Downtown. The phone number is 315-476-4937, but it is only useful if you want "carry out" as they take no reservations. Being up for anything the "Dinosaur" is where we went.
When we arrived, parking a block away, we were greeting by a large corner location, with many customers in the "beer garden" and the street full of motorcycles. The place is a "scene". We forged on, and after walking thru several room sighted the receptionist booth under it's neon sign. The women on duty was closer to our age than that of most of the customers and so after a mention that we had come from Cincinnati she told us to take a table for 2 wedged against the wall and and next to what eventually becomes a stage for late night Blues.
Our waitress was great, and fairly indistinguishable from many of the others in her tight Jeans and somewhat revealing top, but "hay" the tighter the Jeans the bigger the tips. She was very professional knowing the menu, which is fairly large and good with bar service and food.
Marilyn and I settled for the "Sweetheart Deal for Two", a full rack, 12-13 fair sized ribs, 4 homemade sides, in our case cole slaw, Bar-B-Que Beans, fresh salad with house dressing and mac and cheese. Along with this comes corn bread and 4 or five different sauces, from sweet to very hot. "The Deal" goes for a total of $24.95. Our total bill, including drinks and over a 20% tip was $51.50. I should do so well in NYC.
We found our way back to the motel, after one or two wrong turns, took showers, always good after Bar-B-Que and hit the sack. A very fulfilling first day, in more ways than one.
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