When will we EVER Learn?

Rain, Rain. I fantasized all day about eggs benedict I saw in the window of Cafe Heaven yesterday, so this morning we got up, got dressed and walked there in the rain, am I spoiled or what? The cafe is an adorable place with maybe a dozen tables. Our “hot” waiter was “as sweet as he could be” and the eggs benedict, well you judge, they were as good as they looked. Our sweet waiter even took a awesome photo of my delicioius breakfast for me to use to blog. Home made english muffins, ham, perfectly poached eggs and a delightful hollandaise sauce (liberally laced with lemom pepper, I think) made my wishes come true!

Thoroughly saturated we got back on the road headed for Salem, I wanted to see how witches work. One can not read the quanity of romance novels I have, withough encountering a few witchy romances. Getting to the Salem Witch Museum needed a spell of its own! The residents don't seem to appreciate the revenue and there were about a thousand posted no parking signs around in various forms. Finally we found parking and got into the museum, just in time for the 2:00 showing. The museum is in what appears to be an old church, which could have offended me, however the message is a resonate one to my spirit. The message of fear + scapegoat = horrors So while the main part of the museum story was about the Salem Witch Trials themselves, at the end there was a talk about the origins of witchcraft (sounded ike sister nurses to me). There was more talk about the times in the history of man that humans have reacted out of fear and done horrible things. Jesus, Joan of Arc, The Inquisition, The Salem Witch Trials, World war II, Japanese interment camps, McCarthy, and HIV/AIDs. So if a little peace and understanding comes to the visitor of this museum, housed in an old church, so be it. Jodi wondered, as did I where on the timeline would our current war be and how would it look when it gets there.

Lunch was an interesting affair. We had finally parked in a parking garage and in the entrance level was a mall type affair with a few places to eat. We had a sandwich, me a apple, carmalizzed onion, chicken and swiss, Jodi a veggie panning, she said was good.

We arrived in Glouceter to drizzle and gloomy skies. The Harborveiw Inn sits right across the street from the water and we have vies of the harbor. The house is laced by an lovely garden which is still in flower and the rooms holds antique furniture, artwork and seems to be cozy. We ended out our afternoon relaxing together in our room with a view.

Trollies, Towers & Tones

Yesterday in Provinctown was an adventure for sure. We stayed in the Bayberry Inn and the Owner had indicated that there would be a coffee pot with coffee ready to go for the first person up, which apparently happened to be me. I made coffee, all ready for a wonderful cup of java, only to find seriously healthy foods in the fridge and no cream. So I started off the day with a watered version of that luscious java I had been anticipating. I had an english muffin and jam with my coffee, everything else was on the weigth watchers diet and not on mine! After the usual puff and primp we walked downtown to catch the trolley for a little sightseeing. It was an informative trip around Provincetown by a enormous woman who interspersed her infotale with at least 4 sandwiches. She was full of good information though, we learned about the town, the pilgrims and the local flora and fauna. It was wall worth the $15.00 a person. I was seriously starving and Trolly lady had suggested the Lobster Pot for Lobster Bisque, so in we went. To say Jodi is not much of a seafood eater is a gross understatement. She was not enchanted by the sights and smells emanating from the joint, but I was. My soup was good, though I have to say that the Polo Club at home does it better. Jodi had a vegetarian wrap which looked good but she was underwhelmed. Next was a trip to the Pilgrim monument and museum, where we watched "HerStory, a documentary about the women of P Town. IT was good and thought provoking for me, Then at the advice of the Trolly lady, I wondered if she had ever actually done it, we climb to the top of the Pilgrim Monument Tower. It was a awesome view, even though it had clouded up Pretty cool to see the P Town Harbor from one side and the Atlantic Ocean from the other. So frozen that my fingers were white, I wanted a cup of Joe, but all the cute little coffee houses were either closed for the winter or for the day by 5PM. So we went into Bayside Bettys Diner were Jodi had onion rings she deemed good, and I had Banana Bread Pudding swimming in carmel sauce and fresh bananas. I sometimes wonder when will man ever learn that bananas do not bake well into desserts, but yet once again I was treated to tough bananas on the top of what would have otherwise been a scrumptious dessert. So, Betty, leave the bananas out of the oven and slice up more on the side!

At 7 PM we wanted to see a Duo called Blaze and Kelly sing. They had been touted as being similar to the Indigo Girls and a fellow lodger had recommended them for their divine harmony. They were awesome. Mo Kelly reminded me of a singer from my past, Barbara Ann Humphrey, and the harmony was indeed splendid! The only blight on the entire day was the rain that Blaze and Kelly called out of the sky which made for a soggy trip back to the Inn.

The ubiquitous

I have come to some profound, and rather unpleasant conclusions on this trip. We Americans, like expedient, Regardless of the consequences. Driving along tree lined interstate gazing at tree after tree, wondering what was on the other side of those trees, I began to dream about a cute little place to have a coffee and snack. Once off the freeway, there was Panera, Dunkin Donuts, or McDonald's, but nothing local. What have we done to ourselves? Where is the surprise, or serendipity at always knowing that if you show up you will get 2 all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce cheese on a sesame seed bun, EVERY time? Do we desire security that much? Are we in too big a hurry? Or it is what we want what we want every time? So my favorite comparison is France, and I consider travel there, some times you do get a dud, you stumble into a little bar that has horrid coffee, but more often than not you stumble into a quaint little place that a family owns, not some power hungry corporation.

We arrived in Provincetown MA this afternoon, stinking hungry, at least I was. We checked into our B&B, the Bayberry and were pleased. It is a cozy room with antiques, and comfort all rolled into one. They have done well with their place and seem to be very pleasant people. Off to satisfy my desire for fuel. We found a place called the black and white, where I had my first lobster roll. Accompanied by sweet potato fries, heaven is not too lush a word for this scrumptious treat. Jodi was blessed by the sauteed vegetables on the menu, we were both happy. I had called and arranged the delayed sunset cruise, which was awesome, who knew Jodi is not so fond of boats? But she bellied up and we had a great time. I brought a cherished bottle of carmenerre and we shared it while watching the sun set. Not a colorful event tonight either, but lovely none the less. By now hunger was evident again. Advice from a unhappy pizza eater, avoid Pizza joints called “George”!

Excursions of Newport Rhode Island - not sitting in the street crying.

Seriously, who knew Yale University was in New Haven, Connecticut? We wandered around Yale university appreciating the buildings before heading toward our next destination, Newport Rhode Island. We decided, rather than more quick but boring interstate we wanted to do some wandering. When I was a kid we traveled near the ocean on A1A in Florida. I imagined that, here, 1A would keep us nearer the water, & at least be more interesting, It was! We caught glimpses of water, lovely gardens full of the remnants of summer and picturesque New England homes. We even managed to stumble onto a lighthouse. Only about three stories tall, Jodi wondered about how visible it really was. After much wandering we crossed not one but two incredible bridges and we were in Newport! This night we were to be in jail. the Jailhouse Inn that is. It is a lovely little hotel created from an old jailhouse. Good service, nice rooms, breakfast was included and there are even Chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon. So far this trip had mot been much about great food, not because i did not want it but everything had fell rather flat. The mushroom soup, or rather pudding, the veggie burger; ok the pizza hut pizza was ok good, but otherwise I was really hoping for some good food. We walked down to the water and began looking. Bar 22 was right on the wharf and had outside seating right in the 80 degree sun! A fact I kept telling myself that I needed to enjoy because it could be the last. I had a crab cake swimming in a spicy sauce, covered in finely chopped red onion and accompanied by blue cheese dressing. To accompany this bliss was a tomato sage bisque. The best way I can describe this is to compare it Paneras creamy tomatoe soup, but only 10 times better! Sated at last I was ready to BEGIN this trip! We tried to sign up for a sunset cruise, but alas it was full. We wandered a bit and then decided to have a look at the infamous mansions of Newport. IT was way too much fun. We started driving from Jodi’s memories from a previous trip. Mansions that seem to be able to put the Chateau of the Loire to shame. We ended up sitting in the grass on a sea wall watching the sun go down. It was lovely, the sun going down in front of us and the moon coming up behind.

Suggested Speed 10-9-11

Driving down I95 at the posted speed limit of 55-mph, I had an epiphany. They don't really mean what they have posted, it must be just a suggestion. Seriously I was the only person driving the powered number, one fellow even felt that he needed to bring it to my attention by a friendly honk as he zipped around me.

We started out our day today with much less color, much more green? But the scenery made up for itself! We were at the top of the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi , as ER rolled over the hill, there ahead of us was a hauntingly lovely valley with clouds nestled in. We got to drive right through those clouds. Later I got to experience the same thing, but this time there was downtown Manhattan! Feeling a little worried about driving in New York, my worries were overwhelmed by the beauty of the vista. The amazement at the beauty quickly faded at the rubbish lying there along the road. I drove across THE George Washington bridge! That was a kick, if I could avoid the rubbish filled roadway and just gaze at the bridge I could even say it was beautiful.

The owner of the Farnham B&B was not here and I had planned on picking her brains for dinner recommendations. We stopped a lash getting groceries out of her car and she told us to head downtown, and not to loiter in her neighborhood, it was not so good!

We ended up at Claires, a veterinarian (oops a freudian slip- I meant vegetarian) cafe. I had been considering a vege burger for a while and this seemed to be the time to try it, but well, not a do over. So far this trip has not been a culinary delight.

The Farnham B&B is rather off the beaten track, but Jodi said that she felt it was rather noisy sleeping. To be fair it was lovely outside and the windows were open, my favorite sleeping weather, but noisy!

Living High

I am a woman who is living “high on the hog” this week. I am not sure after researching this phrase that living high on the hog is exactly accurate, but I will explain. So far this week I have eaten at Eddie Merlot, last night at my favorite Le Petite France and tonight is a present yet unwrapped!

I am in healthcare and dinner at Eddie Merlots was an educational invitation, but two rules apply. My mother told me several things when I was young, one of which was “any free education would be worth the time and effort involved”. To have dinner at a fine dining establishment made the learning even better. And I did learn, I walked away with enough information to explore opportunities to improve our care as well as a question answered. That said, I mostly want to talk about the gastronomic experience. As at most gastro-educational events the menu was already mostly selected, but we did get to choose our meat, even my vegetarian friend Megan was in a good place because she will eat fish and salmon was offered. The meal started out rather like communion with bread and wine. To some that may sound sacrilegious, however Carrie Newcomer has taught me through song that the “Holy is in the everyday”. But this bread was not ordinary, it was awesome crunchy, soft inside delicious bread and the Malbec that was offered was reasonable on the nose, nice on the palate and finished well. Already I am a happy girl and I am in a grateful place with my creator. We were offered a Caesar salad and as Caesar salads go it was good. Not even close to the worst I have had, and well worth the caloric ingestion. Calories, to me are like money, do I want to spend these calories on this food, or could I spend them better somewhere else? I ordered the filet and in spite of the notice that we would get it cooked medium, the wait staff saw to it that I got mine rare. Grateful that I did not have to mourn another piece of ruined steak, I relished its tenderness. There was none of my usual bernaise to accompany the steak, but wait, the flavor stood beautifully all by itself! That lovely piece of succulent meat was accompanied by garlic potatoes and broccoli, they were good, but for me only a side note. Dessert was a Creme Brulee, which was liquid velvet. I make creme brulee, I eat creme brulee, this creme brulee ranked right up there with mine. There are things we humans do well, and we really know it even if we don’t admit it. Well, One of the many things I do well, is creme brulee, so I believe I know a good one when it slides down my throat like this one did. It was another moment of heaven!

Last night did not begin well. We live in Indianapolis and my favorite restaurant is in Cincinnatti. I make no attempts to hide me proclivity for all things French, and since we have nothing close to a french Bistro, Brasserie or Restaurant in Indianapolis, I make semi regular trips to La Petite France in Cincinnatti for the pleasure of eating a few bites of the best French food I have yet to discover in the midwest.

Yesterdays event was a wine tasting and was a experience well earned, let’s say for several reasons and leave it at that! We got off with just enough time however because of the reluctance of the government of Shelby County, Indiana, to repair a bridge we have to take the long way to my parents now to drop off Lucy my 5 pound Yorkie. So we ran into traffic on the south side of town and then again after getting back onto I 74 to head to CIncinnatti. By this time I am one seething mass of humanity. Jodi said the quiet, was very loud, and I believe her because it was a battle field in my mind as we drove 5 miles per hour down the interstate. Of course, in both events it was only because people don’t behave in traffic and merge when they know that there is a single lane coming! Finally I calmed my poor “about to be deprived self” enough to call the restaurant and explain our dilemma. They told us to come on, they would not hold the meal up, but they would keep our food ready. By the time we got there I was ready to enjoy the offered wine! The Finca El Origen, Torrentes from Argentina was a flowery, fruity crisp gift of the cusp of calm, it was just the beginning. We have been seated with other folks in the past and it was not surprise to be led to two seats at a table of six this time. We sat with two lovely couples, of which the women had both been friends for over 20 years. They were great company and we laughed and laughed. Between, good food, wine, companionship and the laughter how could one not loose the “loud quiet” of my mind?

I own a copy of the movie Julie Julia, not ever having the experience of Beurre Blanc, I could not relate to Julia Child’s rapture over it. As my own orgasmic response began to build, I was bewildered at it. Just kidding, the Sauteed shrimp with Sherry Beurre Blanc was fabulous. The beurre blanc was creamy, nutty and I not only ate it with my shrimp, but I also stooped so low as to clean my plate with bread. I did not want to miss a single molecule of it! The Lapostolle “Cuvee Alexander” Chardonnay from Chile was ok, others at the table liked it better than I. That said I still become enraptured over a good buttery oaky chard, which I understand is passe, but not for me! This Chardonnay carried none of the qualities that I like, but rather a clean crisp flavor which left me rather flat. But since we arrived late I was still sipping the Torrontes with my shrimp and it went well!

Next came yet another heavenly moment in the way of a utterly fabulous nose on the Montgras, Carmenere from Chile. It was served in a small balloon glass. As it approached my nose I knew I was in for a treat, and it rode and ended as well as it began! The spinach salad had peaches, proscuitto, chevre and a warm bacon vinaigrette. Not my favorite salad I have ever had at Le Petite France, but I didn’t care I was still rolling in the sensation of the Carmenere!

Not to be outdone the Antu “Ninquen”, Syrah from Chili also took my breath away via nose! It was a big wine that also finished well, but did not overpower the sauce of the Provencale Short ribs that were draped over creamy parmesan polenta. This tasty dish full of olives short ribs and a tomatoey sauce was accompanied by asparagus, which my dining companion enjoyed thoroughly, but I was mired in the sinfully delicious taste of the polenta, provencale ribs and wine.

Dessert was summer peach clafoutis accompanied by Yellow-Tail, Moscato, Australia. The the peach married well with the Moscato and it was a delightful finish to a stunning experience! All in all an evening that I said was “fornicated” and I was stick in traffic at the beginning of our trip, turned into a memorable evening.

Not feeling blue after eating at the Indigo Duck

I have wanted to try the Indigo Duck since it opened last winter. Right across from the court house in Franklin it is a very miniscule restaurant that, to my surprise, according to an article I found in the Metromix seats 60 people. With only one other good restaurant in Franklin, I felt like I was in a larger city. The atmosphere is handsome but not masculine and the entire time we sat at our table I coveted the copper pans hanging at the hostess counter. The menu is creative without being radical. The server brought an amuse bouche which, while I forget the ingredients, were a tiny scoops of potato salad and cole slaw, but to name them trivializes them. They were both delicious and interesting. The requisite bread was covered with a bit of rock salt and shallots. My dining companion generously gave me the “soft bottom” of the bread and took the “old hard crunchy” part. This ruse made me chuckle inside as she had the tastiest portion! To call the lettuce in the house salad, lettuce, seems too mundane. Crunchy, crenelated greens helped the orange basil dressing cling to the lettuce rather than swim in it. This delicious lettuce was accompanied in the bowl by sun flower seeds, grape tomatoes, dried cranberries, and large carrot shavings. My dining companion and I both felt that it might have been salted and possibly did not need that addition, the flavor could have stood alone. My opinion, though, is that it was well worth the $6.00 price tag. For my main I choose, of course, the Maple Spiced Duck Breast, which was priced at $20.00. I like my meat rare, but duck seems so poultry like. So, I ordered my mine medium rare, and it was perfect. Laying on a bed of Apricot Shallot marmalade, which had just a teensy bite to it, the duck breast made my tongue sing. Never a eggplant fan, I was delighted by the crisp delicate accompaniment of eggplant fries. A chard virgin, I was also enchanted by the Sauteed rainbow chard, which worked well with the delicate innocence of the eggplant. Since I was driving, I enjoyed this repast with a Malbec, priced at $7.00 a glass. The desert menu did not overpower the lure of a local Ritters, so we anted up and indulged in desert there.

I like to experience my food, not shovel it in, and my only grumble is that I felt rushed through my meal. In a meal that had so many flavors rolling across my tongue I wanted to take the time to thoroughly enjoy it. The Indigo Duck is a up for a rerun my my book and I give it a 8/10.