Pete and Tom planned to leave on Monday but I insisted they wait until after lunch so I could take them to the Watersview Restaurant on Lake Gaston. The food is exceptionally good and waterfront dining is always special. I wanted P & T to carry away this mental picture of their last moment in NC, for this visit anyway.
Alas! Some things are not to be. We entered the open, welcoming front door to find workmen roaming around the place. Renovations are being made and the restaurant won’t be open again until March 2.
The gracious owner reminded us that the Lakeside is not open on Mondays but Pino’s in nearby Gasburg VA is. My disappointment led to a new experience.
The interior of Pino’s is much larger than it appears from the outside with a small “no smoking” room off to the left. Even though it wasn’t crowded we chose the small room. Al was hooked up to his mobile oxygen tank looking like he carries a six-gun with a long barrel in a modern-day holster. Our waitperson greeted us happily and with a distinctive accent.
The first words spoken, “where ya from?” revealing her Jersey City roots gave us an instant connection. (Al kept wanting to call her Penny Marshall) It continued to get better with our wine served. Our salad orders went like this: Jersey girl: “Oil & vinegar?” Pete: “What dressings do you have?” Jersey girl: “Oil & vinegar.” Tom: “Balsamic vinegar?” Jersey girl: “No.” Pete & Tom: “Oil & vinegar.”
We were all happy with our dinners. Eggplant Parm, (my measure of a good Italian restaurant,) Chicken Parm, Lasagna and a Combination Special for Pete were served with garlic bread, too. Our appetites were sated and their parting memory a good one.
On their next trip down, Pete & Tom promised to bring her some fresh mozzarella and NY bagels.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Pete & Tom
My dear friends, Pete & Tom left a snowy, bitter cold New Jersey behind to come down to sunny Macon NC for the weekend. This was a perfect ending to a very hectic-if-it-can-go-wrong-it will (and it did) week. A great reunion of eating, drinking and catching up on what’s happening in our lives filled Saturday to the brim.
On Sunday, roaming around the Art Museum of North Carolina, delighting in the varied styles of art, we came upon something different. Across the wide expanse I spotted a huge face of Mona Lisa, hanging upside down. Curious, we sauntered over to check it out at close range. Devorah Sperber created “After Mona Lisa 2” out of 5,000 (+ or – please don’t rely on my numbers) spools of brilliantly colored thread. Looking through the glass globe situated in front of the artwork, the creation looked upright. It’s worth the trip to Raleigh just to see this piece. Remarkable.
Also remarkable is the lunch we ravished while listening to the grand piano playing in the background at the Blue Ridge Restaurant in the lower level. My goat cheese & rosemary tart served with a divine salad was presented on a large, white plate shaped like an artist’s palette, complete with a hole for the thumb. Neat.
Tom did a lot of ummmms devouring his burger with Roquefort cheese ‘n fries and Pete didn’t talk at all until his special plate of mole chicken (?) salad embellished with spicy deviled eggs.
We were a happy, stuffed threesome when we left.
On Sunday, roaming around the Art Museum of North Carolina, delighting in the varied styles of art, we came upon something different. Across the wide expanse I spotted a huge face of Mona Lisa, hanging upside down. Curious, we sauntered over to check it out at close range. Devorah Sperber created “After Mona Lisa 2” out of 5,000 (+ or – please don’t rely on my numbers) spools of brilliantly colored thread. Looking through the glass globe situated in front of the artwork, the creation looked upright. It’s worth the trip to Raleigh just to see this piece. Remarkable.
Also remarkable is the lunch we ravished while listening to the grand piano playing in the background at the Blue Ridge Restaurant in the lower level. My goat cheese & rosemary tart served with a divine salad was presented on a large, white plate shaped like an artist’s palette, complete with a hole for the thumb. Neat.
Tom did a lot of ummmms devouring his burger with Roquefort cheese ‘n fries and Pete didn’t talk at all until his special plate of mole chicken (?) salad embellished with spicy deviled eggs.
We were a happy, stuffed threesome when we left.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Three Texas Women
Mimi Swartz wrote an item for the New York Times on February 3 of this year called “Lone Starlets” about three tall, in history, Texas women, Molly Ivins, Ann Richards and Nellie Connally. Since early February of this year all three have now passed over hopefully to an easier place for them to reside.
Reading Molly’s columns always gave me a “give ‘em hell” feeling toward our political leaders that came up with some asinine programs for us lesser folks to live by. She minced no words on her thoughts and feelings and had quite a readership following to prove that many people agreed with her.
Ann was another woman to fight back with straightforward but folksy words, whether it was her personal battle of smoking, drinking, divorcing or the penny-pinching politicos trying to keep the bluecollar workers from improving their lot with education.
Nellie had an entirely different battle station to wage her war. As the wife of John Connally and first lady of Texas, her place is assured in history. Moments before JFK was assassinated she assured him of the love Texas held for him.
I wonder where Maureen Dowd was born?
Reading Molly’s columns always gave me a “give ‘em hell” feeling toward our political leaders that came up with some asinine programs for us lesser folks to live by. She minced no words on her thoughts and feelings and had quite a readership following to prove that many people agreed with her.
Ann was another woman to fight back with straightforward but folksy words, whether it was her personal battle of smoking, drinking, divorcing or the penny-pinching politicos trying to keep the bluecollar workers from improving their lot with education.
Nellie had an entirely different battle station to wage her war. As the wife of John Connally and first lady of Texas, her place is assured in history. Moments before JFK was assassinated she assured him of the love Texas held for him.
I wonder where Maureen Dowd was born?
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Tir Na NOg Restaurant
To celebrate the end of the week with the joy of now having DSL up and running, my two burned out surge protectors replaced with better ones (and understanding this electrical system here, thanks to wonderful, patient Halifax staff) and brother Al on the mend, we made the trip to Raleigh for shopping and lunch.
Since I’m not really a shopper, as soon as we arrived within breathing distance of Raleigh, I talked Al out of going into a busy mall. I picked up a few necessaries at Art’s Art-a-rama, the art supply store that can’t be considered a mall, and thanking the universe for the small things in life, we headed into the Market Place of Raleigh. It was lunchtime.
We cruised the area but found only two restaurants open for lunch on a Saturday. I opted for the Tir Na NOg on Blount Street, a favorite of mine. They have always delighted my out-of-state guests or me when I just dropped in to treat myself.
The menu is overflowing with tempting choices reminiscent of Ireland. It’s difficult to decide which to choose. Today was no exception. Al chose my favorite, Guinness Batter-dipped Atlantic Whitefish with fries, a fresh tartar sauce and a creamy, crunchy cole slaw. It wasn’t easy, but I opted for something different. Beef & Guinness Pie, topped with flaky, tender puff pastry, a slice of bread that brought my visit to Ireland-instantly-to-my-mind. Washing it down with Killian’s Red was another wise choice. We split a dessert of Fried Ice Cream.
The low stone walls on one side that separate the bar from the dining area, the authentic road signs and the murals all add to the charm expected from Irish hospitality. When you go be sure to look up in the foyer area.
If you can arrange it, go when the live music is featured. You can check on their schedules events and hours at: TNNIrishPub.com.
Since I’m not really a shopper, as soon as we arrived within breathing distance of Raleigh, I talked Al out of going into a busy mall. I picked up a few necessaries at Art’s Art-a-rama, the art supply store that can’t be considered a mall, and thanking the universe for the small things in life, we headed into the Market Place of Raleigh. It was lunchtime.
We cruised the area but found only two restaurants open for lunch on a Saturday. I opted for the Tir Na NOg on Blount Street, a favorite of mine. They have always delighted my out-of-state guests or me when I just dropped in to treat myself.
The menu is overflowing with tempting choices reminiscent of Ireland. It’s difficult to decide which to choose. Today was no exception. Al chose my favorite, Guinness Batter-dipped Atlantic Whitefish with fries, a fresh tartar sauce and a creamy, crunchy cole slaw. It wasn’t easy, but I opted for something different. Beef & Guinness Pie, topped with flaky, tender puff pastry, a slice of bread that brought my visit to Ireland-instantly-to-my-mind. Washing it down with Killian’s Red was another wise choice. We split a dessert of Fried Ice Cream.
The low stone walls on one side that separate the bar from the dining area, the authentic road signs and the murals all add to the charm expected from Irish hospitality. When you go be sure to look up in the foyer area.
If you can arrange it, go when the live music is featured. You can check on their schedules events and hours at: TNNIrishPub.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
