Phil's away

 So Phi went off to Ireland to have a fun trip with many nights of music in pubs along the west coast of Ireland. Meanwhile I stayed home and got caught up on a number of computer things and some packing for the fall trip to Spain. I finished two 45+ pound suitcases full of things for the place in Spain. I finished two photo books of three that I had on my to do list for last season in Spain. The third on is in progress. 

I had dinner with Todd & Evie and Frank at indienne, I had dinner with Lee at Dear Margaret. I finished my medical appointments for the year, with my final annual doctor consult with the cardiologist - yes I have one of those now- SIGH! 

My friend Carolyn came to visit in the middle of the time Phil was away. We had a great day of catching up and a few bites to eat - mostly unrecorded because we were in the middle of conversation.

So here are a few photos - Carolyn and I went to Savana up the street for breakfast - her flight arrived at 7:45 AM and she was at Lincoln by 9 even with checked baggage and morning traffic. These were Llapingachos Benedict: Ecuadorian potato cakes, grilled tomatoes, pork chorizo, poached eggs, and chipotle hollandaise. With fruit.

For dinner we went to Bien Mesabe and started with shrimp tostones. Then Carolyn had an arepa and i had the traditional cachapa 

So a fun full day visit from my friend Carolyn Merrick. We met over 30 years ago when we're helping train staff members at the Vernon State Correctional Facility for the Criminally Insane. I probably don't have the exact name but it's pretty close. We were assisting our buddy Martha Boston who was facilitating the training. Despite not getting much time together over the years, it was a strong and long lasting connection. It was so nice to catch up with plenty of time to just the conversation meander. We had breakfast upon her arrival and dinner. Her plane departed at 8:50 AM the following morning. We were mostly too distracted with catching up but we dined at Savana in the morning on excellent  and flavorful Llapingachos. For dinner we went to Bien Mesabe for Venezuelan - arepas and cachapa with a starter of shrimp tostones. A great day of just being together 

The following night, I had a fun evening out with Todd & Evie and Frank at INDIENNE. A wonderfully creative and fully flavored tasting menu  found us all happy campers by meal's end. Frank won WON (wine of the night) with an outstanding Rhone. My favorite course was a toss up between the scallop and the stuffed morel. Pairings were very well curated and some excellent wines enhanced the courses they were paired with, bringing the flavors fully forward in the best way possible. Kudos to the sommelier who created the matches!

Then the following night I met up with Lee for dinner at Dear Margaret.

Sadly, this one was a miss pretty much all around. Service was off. We were left sitting several times for ten minutes or more waiting to place an order. And one server broke two pieces of glassware in less than an hour. Frites were good flavor but only a few were more than just "ends," the fish was seriously overcooked, and the dessert, which we ordered to go because it took so long to place the order, was so bad I threw it in the garbage after two bites.  Now, we had a fabulous meal there last month so I know this is not the norm but it was really not up to their own standards. So not every meal is a winner. 

So Phil returns from Ireland tomorrow mid day and then we have plans for several upcoming dinners. Stay tuned...

July arrives

 So Phil is off in Ireland on a music tour and apparently having a great time. I am catching up on a list of things that i have procrastinated about for - well- plenty of time... next week is busy with my last medical stuff for hte summer and a visit for friend Carolyn as well as a dinner with Todd & Evie and Frank. Meanwhile I have been getting through some of the stuff in the frig (last cleaned out when???LOL) 

I was eating breakfast today and a memory of the best breakfast I ever had on a road trip popped into my head. Phil is in Ireland and so that might have jogged my memory because I was going to text him to look out for this option.  We had no idea what a "boxty" was when TB and I entered the Lawrence Park Dinor but the staff explained it was an Irish recipe for an omelet wrapped in a hash brown potatoes pancake. Well let me tell you we both hopped on that suggestion and ordered the boxty special of the day. It was fabulous. And now a great memory of the best road trip breakfast.

You just know one of those pie pieces is gonna make it into TB's morning order...LOL - there he sits below (to the bottom left in the photo) waiting for the BOXTY reveal!

 

a truly worthy stop on the road in Eire PA. and later in the morning we had to stop for a snack because timing was off for a full meal when we pulled into the White Turkey Drive-in. (est 1952 in Conneaut Ohio)  We had root beer floats and onion rings to get a feel for the place- also worthy. Located past the Ohio border as we continued around the Lake Erie shoreline. 

So it's July the Fourth and I am not feeling the America I once knew - but I know there are traces out there because we find them every year on the DART (Disappearing America Road Trips).