an evening out

which ended up being on no middle ground - we saw a terrific play from the Shattered Globe troupe at Theater Wit and we had THE MOST ABYSMAL MEAL we have had in ages at Fahlstrom's -

It was truly ridiculous - we had a 6:15 pre theater reservation. We check in at 6:12 and then while waiting saw one of the hostesses take three other groups of two, who just arrived, to tables while we are standing there.  At 6:20 we went back to the desk and asked why we hadn't been seated while others had despite our reservations? they were SO SORRY (not really) they had just overlooked the fact that we were still waiting.  Then they tried to seat us at a crappy table by a wall with no window (the place is pretty much all glass) which we refused.

They seated us at another table and at almost 6:40 we asked would someone be announcing themselves as our server? Oh, same woman from the front desk says, I'll get the manager.  I reply we don't need a manager we need a server to order some food. Then the manager comes SORRY SORRY SORRY (reasons and excuses -which by the way changed each time we had another issue)

Manager takes the order and later a woman announces herself as the server (I WAS SLAMMED WITH FIVE TABLES AT ONCE- sure) the entire order was already in and then they brought us the conserve (since it was in a can there was no prep involved) and the tuna tartare we had ordered for appetizers.  thinking we were back on track as all our orders were in and we had appetizers at 6:50 - all good - right? NO - before we knew it - it was 7:20 and we had been there more than an hour and still didn't have mains despite telling them we had theater to go to....

MORE REASONS AND EXCUSES (I'll comp the appetizers the Manager says - no thanks we say we aren't looking for free food we just want to eat in a timely manner) finally at 7:28 food arrives and my crab cakes are room temperature - NO MORE - clearly having sat back in the kitchen for god knows how long - long enough to reach room temperature.  Phil's jambalaya is hot and he tells me it's excellent.

I pick at the cold crab cakes and we ask immediately for the check - the server comes out with the check and it is $0 - apologizes AGAIN and takes my plate back to the kitchen- Manager comes out and now tells us another story about no cook tonight - family emergency (we have no been here 90 minutes and this is the first we have heard this one... he brings another crab cake order freshly made up (no doubt someone else's) which we do not have time to eat.  The server who really did seem to be troubled by our experience brought us a slice of key lime pie to go.  All along,  three tables around us also having issues getting *orders placed, *food served and *checks delivered are by then commiserating about how awful the service is.

The Manager keeps saying THIS IS NOT WHO WE ARE but clearly based on results it IS WHO YOU ARE....  We exit having had a free dinner but I didn't eat my main since it sat in the kitchen long enough to come out cold (who knows what might be growing on seafood at that point...)

And we agreed we would never be going back there - seriously I can not remember worse service (maybe we have had it but I surely can't remember anything this bad) So after lovely meals at AVEC on Tuesday and Publican on Wednesday this is the tale of woe we had for Thursday night.

AND HERE IS THE KICKER- we went to the theater and the fascist at the door tells me you can't bring food into the theater- even though it wasn't left overs and wasn't even warm so it didn't smell at all.  So the key lime slice went into the garbage can outside Theater Three.

We laughed - of course she would make us throw it away because after all the whole set was full of food and perhaps we might have attempted to put our food in the mix somewhere as some kind of terrorist act-

You think I am kidding but I am not - here are some photos of the set I took before the play started LATE (a giant pet peeve of mine)

so you can see why we were not allowed to bring in our plastic bag with the key lime pie slice in the plastic container within the plastic bag - sure lady - I get it attracts rats or something to sit it under my seat for 90 minutes or so...  we laughed at how ludicrous the whole evening had been thus far...

BUT for those who can move on - and we had moved on at this point - our evening was about to turn into a highly dramatic story not really of cooking and kitchen life nor food but of the drama of civil war, genocide, immigration, ICE, green cards, substance abuse problems in the high stress world of being a chef.... a terrific play on so many levels!

In the chaotic kitchen of a Wall Street restaurant, Chef George is trying to stay sober and keep the trash talking cross-cultural kitchen staff churning out orders on time. While managing two Guatemalan line cooks, a pot smoking white busboy and dealing with a jerk of a boss, George strikes up a surprising friendship with a reserved Ugandan dishwasher. Raw, fast paced and suspenseful, HOW TO USE A KNIFE boils over when personal and moral issues from their pasts are exposed. This high energy drama is fresh off a rolling world premiere shared by four theaters in the National New Play Network. (blurb from Theater in Chicago)

All terrific performances but these two leads were total standouts!

From the Chicago Reader;
Will Snider's 2016 play is an intriguing, thought-provoking study of the unlikely friendship that develops between two men working in a restaurant in Lower Manhattan's financial district. George, the eatery's new executive chef, is a foul-mouthed, middle-aged, white guy with anger and guilt issues: he's a recovering alcoholic and drug addict trying to get his life and career back on track. Steve, the dishwasher, is a quiet black man from East Africa who keeps to himself, focuses on his job, and speaks no English—or so it appears at first. As the pair forge a camaraderie amid the chaos of the kitchen, we learn they share a common skill: expertise with a bare blade. George was a skilled food preparer before substance abuse took its toll, and Steve was a soldier in the Rwandan civil war of the 1990s. Eventually, it turns out that Steve may also be a hunted war criminal.

Developed through the National New Play Network, How to Use a Knife is receiving its Chicago premiere from Shattered Globe Theatre under the direction of Sandy Shinner, whose well-acted staging benefits from the realistic kitchen set designed by Jeff Bauer. Peter DeFaria and Anthony Irons are excellent as George and Steve; so are Victor Maraña and Dennis García as the antic line cooks, Dillon Kelleher as the harried busboy, Brad Woodard as the obnoxious restaurant owner, and Michelle Bester as the immigration official prying into Steve's past. 

the line cooks Carlos and Miguel

This one is completely worth checking out- but whatever you do don't go across the street to Fahlstrom's for dinner... forewarned is forearmed.... up next on our dining agenda Bien Me Sabe tonight with Angela and then an underground pop dinner at a place called 2C Chicago on Sunday with Jenny and Beth and maybe Chris.... and well believe it or not the wedding month is fast approaching so much going on after we head to NYC a week from Tuesday!

why we go to plays

Last night, while Phil was off doing Folkstage-y things I went to see a play at Theater Wit (you may recall my review of the last play we saw there- "Bad Jews" was amazing- and I might add now on it's third run in yet another larger theater.) This time the terrific play was "The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence."  Here are some excerpts from articles and reviews of the play. The plot is quite complex and so I will rely on quotes from various reviews to help explain it- the two most used are from the Tribune and from the NYTimes... and since I had to pick and choose to get what I wanted to say some of it is paraphrased... forgive me original authors for my less than perfect quoting and attribution.

This was theater I LOVE- thoughtful, thought provoking theater that stays with you long after you leave the darkened venue it played out in.... it was laugh out loud funny and it was tear-you-up touching and mind challenging...

from the Trib review by Chris Jones

Madeleine George's terrific 2014 play "The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence" is the latest in a line of shows with real appeal for tech geeks, scientists, computer engineers, mathematicians and any civilians who like their dramas not to be about "why Daddy never told me he loved me," or "how I finally learned to own my narrative," but, say, "the future of our society and how we are just a few years away from living side-by-side with robots who can do almost anything except review the theater."

"Watson," which was a finalist for the 2014 Pulitzer Prize and had not been seen in Chicago prior to Sunday night's Theater Wit opening, begins with a young woman, Eliza (Kristina Valada-Viars) sitting on her couch talking to a guy named Watson. Now, as a culture nerd will know, popular culture presents us with several Watsons. There is, for example, the good doctor who functioned as sidekick to Sherlock Holmes. Then there is the IBM computer, famously capable of answering questions posed in regular human talk and that proved superior to the human mind when it came to "Jeopardy."

Eliza, who used to work on the IBM Watson before she grew sick of working on an "overpriced trivia machine," is programming her own start-up's Watson. Here's her grand plan — and although this is just an idea in a play, it struck me a fascinating idea, period. 

Why not create personal avatar-advocates for those in our society who need someone to stand by their side? People in mental institutions, say, or in nursing homes, or in need of benefits, or workers about to be laid off. How about if they all had a device who could stand next to them — the way veritable armies of flunkies do for 1-percenters? Then, no one would be alone. Would that not greatly improve our human lot?

Once the authorial mouthpiece Eliza had articulated that idea, I was sucked into this unusual but exceptionally smart show, which ranges back to the Victorian world of Holmes and Watson, but mostly focuses on Eliza and her hapless ex-husband Merrick, a kind of old-school politico running for the office of city auditor. The pathetic Merrick calls in the "Dweeb Team" to fix his desktop computer.  Another Watson (different character, kinda maybe) arrives with his pocket protector and ends up getting hired to spy on Eliza. Ah, but Eliza created her own Watson. So which Watson is what Watson? And I Don't Know is on third.

Like Spike Jonze's movie "Her," "Watson Intelligence" is really probing our insecurity about the inevitable and imminent encroachment of our sponge-like digitized assistants into the world of emotional intelligence and into our bedrooms. This Watson turns out to be a pretty decent lover — why would he not be, given that Eliza has programmed him to cater to her every need, with far more attention to detail than you ever could expect from any mere man? "I just want to give you what you need" (the Watson credo, now and forever) takes a bit of topping.  And therein lies much of the appeal of this even-handed play, a work that is neither dystopian nor idealistic.  Just nervous.

Which is, in case you have not noticed, the dominant emotion of our current moment. At one point, Eliza launches into an examination of income inequality: "The more poor people we have," she says, "the less incentive there is to take care of them." Think about it. That is pretty sound logic. You really can't help but like this Eliza. "Technology," she says, at another moment, "is developing more rapidly than our social and political infrastructures can keep up with it."  Right on, Sherlock. It makes you nervous.  

the terrific cast-

 

FINALIST! Pulitzer Prize for Drama - 2014
Watson: trusty sidekick to Sherlock Holmes; loyal engineer who built Bell’s first telephone; unstoppable super-computer that became reigning Jeopardy! champ; amiable techno-dweeb who, in the present day, is just looking for love. These four constant companions become one in this brilliantly witty, time-jumping, loving tribute (and cautionary tale) dedicated to the people—and machines—upon which we all depend.
February, 2011. A programmer perfects her new AI as IBM's Watson wins its Jeopardy tournament.
March, 1891. Dr. Watson takes his first solo case without Sherlock Holmes at his side.
March, 1876. The first voice communication by wire. 
March, 1931. Thomas A. Watson is interviewed at Bell Labs about the famous quote.
Madeleine George premieres a brand new version of her stunning 2014 Pulitzer Award finalist: a time hopping comic meditation on technology, love and communication over the last 150 years.

from the NYT review of a prior production-

Within the scenes in “Watson Intelligence” are some authentically insightful reflections on the frequently unsatisfactory nature of human relationships. Both the Merrick of the 19th century and the Merrick of the 21st are frustrated to the point of irritation (or madness) by the mysteries of the female heart.  And the Eliza of the 21st, the most fully developed character, appears frustrated that technology speeds forward, improving itself minute by minute, while human beings remain the same faulty, needy, lonely creatures, baffled as ever by the push and pull of love. “You’re the only one I want to be around,” she says to (Dweeb) Watson, in a scene in which she expresses both her need for, and fear of, commitment, “and I have a really hard time being with you.”

In the one instance in which two of the plots overlap, the Eliza of today suddenly appears to interface, as it were, with Thomas Watson, the friend and collaborator of Bell’s. He offers her friendly advice about the necessity of connection that cuts to the heart of the play’s layered meanings eloquently.  “It’s our fate to be bound up with one another, isn’t it, he muses. “We are all born insufficient, and must look to others to supplement our strength. That is not weakness, it is the first condition of human life.”

so this one gets a huge thumbs up from me... I am so happy that despite our full schedule I made time to see it! Next up- back to the trip and I think Moldova... we have dinner with friends tonight and a special wine dinner on Monday with our wine bud Neil and then dinner Tuesday with another friend as well as a last 2015 goosefoot dinner on Wednesday... so I will be working to keep up with the trip posts in the midst of all that and packing...LOL never a dull moment....

Death Tax

Today we saw the Lookingglass Theater production of Death Tax... an enjoyable afternoon for contemplating the issue surrounding the American way of dying in today's political environment. Here is a brief overview of the story line- a run down of the cast and then my thoughts on the play.

so- lots going on here- the play is quite intricate and the black comedy/drama/life issues work on a lot of levels... things are not exactly as they seem and I will not spoil the ending but let me say- things are certainly not predictable! I would give this a thumbs up for the intelligent scripting. The cast was excellent (as usual) and staging was all it needed to be- sparse but evocative of the settings.  The action and ultimate outcome are about the intersection of family dynamics and money - and boy, you sure could spend a couple of lifetimes exploring that! So I would give it a thumbs up overall.

The play was presented in one act of multiple scenes with no intermission - which I love when it can be accomplished (intermissions are just a waste of my time in my opinion.) And speaking of wasting time- I have noticed a trend (and experienced it again today) of theaters not beginning their productions ON TIME... I find this annoying and not respectful of the audience's time. I manage to be there on time and in my seat before the appointed hour, I think the least they can do is start on time.   Today the tickets gave the time of the play as 3 PM ... 3:05 rolled around and then 3:07 and then 3:09 and finally at 3:10 they dimmed the lights... should we all start arriving ten minutes late? If they don't want that then perhaps they should set the example of promptness... I remarked about this at the theater three times in the last week alone and also at the last production we went to of this theater (Cascobel) - so while it is not just them - although I did notice that the show at the Old Town School on Saturday started at 8 PM on the dot and I give them credit for that! Sadly - they seem to be becoming the exception rather than the rule.... and yes #crankyoldwoman is a good hash tag for me on this subject....

next up for reporting back to you - fall menu at 42 grams! coming Wednesday... then Senza on Friday night... and company for the weekend- guest room sheets changed and ready! 

three weeks - three plays

Well the "best laid plans" - LOL- I realize that there is a weird kind of connection in that quote because we are about to spend three successive Wednesdays at the theater and this week our play is Grapes of Wrath... and if I am not mistaken the remainder of that quote was also used by Steinbeck as a title to one of his seminal works Of Mice and Men... so it was kind of strange that I started the post with that, but it fits our situation.

we had originally gotten tickets for the Asolo Theater for roughly a play a month- since we also had a concert series at the Van Wezel and miscellaneous other events (Forks & Corks, the Wine Walk, wine dinners etc...)

we would be starting the "season" in November with School for Scoundrels and then in early January - Loot and late January - Philadelphia Here I Come and February - Other Desert Cities, then March would be a double duty month with Vanya & Sonya followed by Grapes of Wrath.  Then we would end the season in April with 4000 Miles (in a compare and contrast exercise with the Northlight production from last September.

BUT- things we awry when the director of Philadelphia Here I Come canceled all the shows for two weeks near the beginning of the run... this left the Asolo folks scrambling and they rearranged the schedule (yes they called more than 2000 people to rework tickets... so how this boiled down for us is that it left us with three plays in three weeks right at the end of the "season"...

this week Grapes of Wrath and next week (finally) Philadelphia Here I Come and then in two weeks 4000 Miles (which will be performed in the Historic Asolo Theater rather than the Mertz Theater where most Asolo productions take place.)

so get ready for some reviews of the three plays and photos of the Wine Walk to Ca d'Zan and then four films I am scheduled to see at the Sarasota Film Festival....

so, a few illustrative photos- to entice you to come back for the reviews and other thoughts I might have along the way...

here is a link to my review of the Northlight Production of 4000 Miles from last September-

http://semifreelife.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-curtain-rises.html
http://semifreelife.blogspot.com/2013/09/we-are-almost-off.html

this Friday evening - CBGB and the two of us will be headed to the Ringling Estate - Ca d'Zan for the Wine Walk- and event we loved last year!

here is a link to the walk last year- which was held basically the same night we bought our winter place here in Florida (and boy are we grateful for the timing of that as our Chicago home has been inundated with nearly 70 inches of snow and record cold this winter!)

http://semifreelife.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-house-of-john.html

so heading into the home stretch for the "season" with lots of cultural engagements and a visit from Cousin Michele as well as CBGB (mentioned above for the wine walk)... the hits just keep on coming!!!

before I leave

because my schedule isn't busy - LOL- only kidding of course--- so tonight we went to the theater to see Other Desert Cities.  A tremendous play about a family sorting out their past, their secrets and healing their wounds (mostly by picking at them until the bleeding was really profuse)

the family in question was made up of older GOP Palm Springs ex Hollywood parents (friends of Reagan types) and their liberal leaning daughter and son (and a third child with a past history in the protest and anti-war movement who was deceased after a bombing)

extremely well written and well acted - this was a fabulous and thought provoking show about the depth of familial love and the burdens of the very same- wow- what a great evening.

so excellent last evening before I head off to my own desert experience with my gal pal GA... when I return you will no doubt see photos with camels...LOL as always- stay tuned!