Category: Restaurants

Tidy Tidbits: Mostly Local

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BOOKNOTES

Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson

Author Atkinson (The Guardian)

I thought Kate Atkinson’s Life after Life was a tour de force of a novel and I loved it.  I started Shrines of Gaiety about a month ago, read about a third, and then set it aside.  I wasn’t sure I’d finish it, but every time I picked it up again, I read a few chapters, getting to know the characters better and very much appreciating the writing.  In short, I finished the novel and am glad I persevered.

Overall, it’s a period tapestry, a portrait of a particular time in London in 1926 when nightclubs and glitzy parties were the rage.  Nellie Coker, owner of a string of clubs and mother of six adult children, rules strongly over her fiefdom.  The reader is introduced to all the children and to Detective Chief Inspector Frobisher and one time librarian, now aspiring detective, Gwendolen Kelling. 

Gwendolen comes to London to try and locate Freda Murgatroyd, a sister’s friend who has disappeared. Frobisher is involved in investigating the case of several missing girls who may be connected to dancers at these clubs.  Beneath the gaiety and glitz of the clubs (shrines to a good time), is a seamier crime-laden slice of London life. 

While the reader gets to know Niven, Nellie’s oldest son, I found the other characters more sketchily drawn.  There’s a large cast of notables and undesirables and layers of society both royal and aspiring interact.  Nellie is based on the real Kate Meyrick, an owner, and queen of Soho London clubs. I didn’t love this novel, but I was engaged enough to read it through.

LOCAL THEATER & DINING

The Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at Asolo Repertory Theatre

Sisters Becky and Linda (Asolo)

As always, the sets and the overall staging of The Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help were excellent.  The problem as the Chief Penguin and I saw it, was with the material, the play itself.  Set in 1973, it is a memory play built around a series of key moments in one week.  The narrator, older daughter Linda O’Shea, is the focal character in this family of mother, father, and younger sister, along with live-in aunt Terri and grandmother.  Practicing Irish Catholics, the O’Sheas’ morality and their reputation are monitored by the local priest. Father Lovett takes a very personal interest in his flock.  The incident of the title arises after Linda gives her sister Becky a talk about the facts of life.  

Parts of the play are very funny, but I found the first act overdone and enjoyed the second act more.  The coda summing up everyone’s future life and death was of interest, but not relevant to the heart of the play.  I’d give the cast credit for their performance, but don’t think this play was Asolo’s finest dramatic choice.

The Ringling Grillroom

We returned to The Ringling Grillroom for another pre-theater dinner.  We’ve had several lunches here and one dinner.  The food is consistently very good and much superior to the fare when it was known as Muse.  The hummus starter was creamy and fresh, and my blackened salmon was excellent. The fish had just the right amount of blackening and spices, and the rice with red pepper bits, okra pods, and corn was different and tasty.  The Chief Penguin enjoyed shrimps and scallops on a bed of polenta with a side dish of blistered cherry tomatoes in a shallot sauce.  Highly recommended!

TOP NOTCH CHEESE SHOP IN OUR BACKYARD!

Artisan Cheese Company (artisancheesecompany.com)

In her latest e-mail, Louise Converse, owner of Artisan Cheese Company in Sarasota, reported that Wine Enthusiast has named them one of the top ten iconic cheese shops in the country. That’s in all of America. Opened in 2012, the store moved to its larger space in the Rosemary District in 2018.  Here’s what Enthusiast wrote:

Its expansive selection includes such all-American standard-bearers as Jasper Hill and Point Reyes, as well as hard-to-source European producers like Switzerland’s Gourmino and England’s Neal’s Yard. The airy, industrial digs also feature beer, natural wine, salumi and more, and the café serves grilled cheese, crostini and other small plates.

As my regular readers know, the Chief Penguin and I are great fans of and regular patrons of Artisan Cheese! With their red walls, they are unmissable! Do stop in.

Tidy Tidbits: Watching & Eating

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PURE ENTERTAINMENT

The Three Musketeers

Sword play (Herald Tribune)

We had almost front row seats for the Asolo Theatre’s action-packed performance of Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers.  The early 17th century was the era of duels and only the slightest of slights could result in being called out.  Thus, there’s plenty of slashing and smashing of swords, leaping, and jumping about, and even the occasional fisticuffs.  This adaptation of Alexander Dumas’ work re-envisions and strengthens the role of women, especially Sabine.  This Sabine, D’Artagnan’s sister, is herself an accomplished swordswoman and won’t surrender to just attending a convent school.  She’s in there with the guys.  

King Louis is ineffectual, his queen is clever, and arch enemy Cardinal Richelieu is conniving, while the musketeers, along with the exuberant D’Artagnan, are ever ready to defend and serve.  It’s rollicking, fun, and even funny! Performances run through March 26.

MURDER IN THE AGE OF FREUD

Vienna Blood (Prime Video, 3 seasons)

Max & Oskar (Endor-Productions)

In 1906, the work of Sigmund Freud was the subject of debate and controversy in the Viennese medical world.  Young doctor Max Lieberman, a disciple of Freud, applies his theories and analyses to his patients and then to coming up with psychological profiles of murder suspects.  Shadowing a very reluctant detective Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt, Max’s insights help solve a case, and the two become “partners in crime.”  The murder scenes are graphic and even gruesome, and the crimes often revolve around religion, art, or the occult.  

Over the course of three seasons, the relationship between Max and Oskar evolves from strictly professional to comrades to a genuine friendship.  The title refers not only to the victims’ blood, but also to Viennese high society.  Great attention is paid to, and great concern is evinced about one’s standing and one’s reputation in the community.  

It took me a few episodes in Season 1 to become immersed in the series, but once I did, the Chief Penguin and I made it our focused viewing every evening.  I also enjoyed seeing the evolution of Clara Weiss, Max’s former fiancée, from society belle to emerging career woman.  Recommended!

DINING OUT—STEAK & MORE

Modern Chop

Interior (Restaurant Guru)

Modern Chop is a welcome addition to the west Bradenton dining scene.  Located close to Blake Hospital, it bills itself as a steakhouse, but it’s much more.  Yes, several cuts of beef are on offer, but also seafood, pasta, and vegetarian dishes.  

Short rib entree

The bar area was lively with lights and sound when we entered, initially giving me pause, but the hostess then led us to a slightly removed space with nicely spaced tables, large comfortable chairs, and quiet.

Our waiter was pleasant, and our foursome enjoyed everything we ordered.  We shared an appetizer of fried calamari which was excellent, and then individually we sampled the impressive short rib with truffled potatoes and carrots, almond crusted rainbow trout with Béarnaise sauce, and bucatini with chicken in a gorgonzola sauce.  It was an experience well worth repeating!

Rainbow trout with risotto and asparagus

Note: Header photo of Manatee County Map courtesy of whereig.com. Unattributed photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)

Tidy Tidbits: Local Color

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NATURE AND ART

Perico Preserve, one of several in Manatee County

Robinson Preserve

Manatee County is blessed with a collection of nature preserves, several fairly close by. We returned to Robinson Preserve twice in the past two weeks with my visiting sisters and brothers-in-law. It’s a great place for a winding walk up, down, and around several bodies of water. Each time we were rewarded with bird sightings, particularly a large group of white pelicans.  With binoculars in hand, our guests were also able to spot the occasional songbird, along with here and there a little blue heron.   

Art Show

This past weekend was our local art show.  Residents were invited to register to display their creative work.  The range of pieces from more than twenty individuals included paintings, jewelry, photography, quilts and needlepoint, ceramics, baskets, and even fused glass art.  Not surprisingly, there were many bird photographs, both of local tropical birds and songbirds.  For the record, the Chief Penguin and I each had several of our photos on display too. It was a most enjoyable afternoon event showcasing local talent.

DINING AROUND

Mean Dean’s Local Kitchen

We’d been told many of our neighbors had already discovered this newish Bradenton restaurant, but we just had our first meal with friends.  It was a weeknight, but still very much a happening place!  Mean Dean’s has a large space with bar seating and lots of booths.  Fortunately, we had a reservation and were seated right away.  

The menu is extensive with everything from spinach dip and fried calamari to soups, salads, and tacos to a variety of meat and seafood entrees.  Think comfort food.  Among the four of us, we sampled the shrimp and grits, lobster lasagna, fish and chips, and the short rib over a Thai peanut sauce.  The lasagna and the short rib were probably the standouts.  

Shrimp and grits

Portions are generous, and everything was tasty!  The noise level is boisterous so don’t expect a romantic interlude.  We will return, perhaps after the snowbirds depart.

WHAT I’M READING

Jane Harper’s latest mystery, Exiles, is off to a promising start and is a welcome change of pace from my last long book.  Set in Australia, it again features Aaron Falk, a financial detective.  I’ve read all of Harper’s previous books and am a big fan of hers.

Outside Bookstore 1 Sarasota

Footnote: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved)

Memo from Manhattan

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DECEMBER IN NEW YORK

Braving the cold in Central Park

I confess that I’ve become something of a Florida wimp when it comes to weather, and the cold here in New York makes me want to hibernate.  The Chief Penguin and I trek 20 minutes each way for our daily visit with our granddaughters and also walk to dinner at one of several neighborhood restaurants.  We have not been to any museum exhibits yet—that’s on the docket for this coming week. On a recent raw rainy day, we took a day trip to Philadelphia to spend time with some good friends.  The weather was cold, but the reception warm.  We’ve also been enjoying the lighted trees and decorations around town, something we see less of at home.

One of many lighted trees on Park Ave.
Elaborate Christmas decorations
Bells on the Mongolian consulate
Santa at The Mark Hotel

VIEWING 

Astrid (PBS Masterpiece)

Autistic characters are highlighted in several recent TV drama series.  A few years ago, I watched the American series, The Good Doctor, featuring a talented surgeon with autism, played by Freddie Highmore.  And as I mentioned in my last post, I’m now into the South Korean series, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, about an autistic young lawyer.  

My friend Cathie recommended Astrid, a French series set in Paris about a woman who works in the criminal records archives and, with an unusual memory for small details, sees connections between seemingly unrelated cases.  Detective Raphaelle Coste enlists Astrid’s aid in solving a case, and although Astrid is reluctant to step outside of her well ordered routines, she provides insights that no one else can.  It’s another realistic and engaging portrayal of autistic skills and challenges.  

The first episode introduces the characters and is an hour and a half; subsequent episodes run just under an hour.  There are 10 episodes in the first season; season 2 is out, but I am not sure whether it’s going to be available on PBS.

NEW DINING OPTIONS

Mediterraneo

This Upper East Side eatery on 2nd Avenue is a welcome addition to our roster of Italian restaurants.  We had walked by it many times, but never stopped.  This time, we had lunch with our son and family.  Our two granddaughters each ordered pizza, Margherita and an arrabiata and pretty much devoured them.  They were baked in a wood-fired oven with a very thin crust.

The adults ordered pasta from homemade gnocchi bolognese to spinach ravioli to pappardelle with duck ragu.  Everything was very good, but the standout was the almost silky duck ragu.  It deserved the two exclamation points by its description on the menu.  

The menu also includes several enticing veal entrees as well as salads so I see a return visit soon.  Service was pleasant and the restaurant only slightly busy on this Saturday.

Pil Pil

We mourned the loss of our favorite tapas restaurant El Porron which went out of business due to Covid.  Since then, we’ve been scouting around for a suitable replacement. While studying the menu outside the other day, the Chief Penguin met a young man from the Pil Pil staff.  He encouraged the CP to dine here and CP told him we soon would.  Pil Pil is a small place on E. 78th Street off Third Avenue featuring Spanish dishes including some tapas.  Our first foray here was good, but not outstanding.  

We sampled the tomato bread (excellent and more like a bruschetta than pan con tomate), fried calamari (thicker rings heavily breaded with a tasty lemon mayonnaise), ham croquettes, and the shrimp in olive oil and garlic.  

To close the loop, the Chief Penguin stopped the young man greeter from the other day, and then donned his fuzzy wool hat so the man could really remember him!  He’s from Serbia and all of 22. He was very personable and comped us cake for dessert.  We will definitely go back and try some of the ham and cheese selections.   

Note: Photos by JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)