Madras Masalas

I have just had a feast. It couldn’t be better. When grandson Brad and his loving Hillary come from Chicago I want to take them out for dinner. They also wanted to see my son and daughter-in-law living here. All 5 of us love Indian food and this was exceptional.

We each chose one dish and then added one more to make sure there was enough. With rice and Naan we discovered that we had the perfect amount of food. The place was fully occupied by the time we left. Banjara is attached to this restaurant and features northern Indian food. Madras Masala is south Indian cuisine. Every bite was hot and so tasteful.

My absolute favorite dish is Prawn Saag. Prawns are cooked in a creamy tasty thick spinach sauce.($13.99) Hillary’s chose was the Shahi Paneer. Thick cubes of cheese are in a rich thick sauce made from cashews and cream.(8.95) Alu Channa was so flavorful. Chick peas and potatoes are cooked in aromatic spices.($8.99) It was the first time I have enjoyed Cauliflower Florets, deep fried, with aromatic spices. ($8.99) Fantastic! Mango Chicken ($10.99) and Lamb Hyderbad ($10.99) completed our order. Everybody had something special. We all loved the food.

There is a great deal of variety. It is served in a warm atmosphere. Our server had the warmest smile and was so willing to please. The food is exceptional and very economical. It is a great way to have a feast with a group. You get to taste a variety of dishes.

I love being with my family and I really love this tasty food. I will have to find an excuse to come back very soon.

DT Trends/Dessert Trends

My dear friend Marianne has done so many favors for me. I wanted to show my appreciation and invited her as my guest to this favorite spot. She loved it immediately. I find the atmosphere so soothing. When you enter the restaurant you immediately see a large cooler filled with the most exotic pastries. Donald Duong is an Olympic winner for his fine pastries. Two mock wedding cakes are on display at the entrance. Donald is the chef in the evening for dinners from Wednesday to Sunday. His wife is the chef for brunches and lunches.

I love the soft grey and white tones of the building. The pastry display is in the middle and two small rooms are on either side. All the windows were open and it felt as if I was on a terrace. Everything is tastefully done. If you are fortunate the beautiful Jennifer will be serving you. Her radiant smile always lights up the room. The presentation of the food is so artistic and the taste guaranteed to please the palate.

Marianne opted for the Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Salad. It almost looked too attractive on the plate to start eating. Warm roasted peppers are in a basil sauce. The sweet onions were so perfect. The baby arugula was lightly mixed with a honey balsamic vinaigrette.($9.50) The multigrain bread is homemade.

I actually invented a new salad and loved it. I hope it appears on the menu in the future. Instead of the Crab and Avocado I asked for Shrimp. The shrimp were perfectly grilled. The avocado was served with caramelized onions and placed on fresh greens with balsamic vinaigrette. ($13.50) It was amazing.

We had such fun watching the food being delivered to the other tables. I have dined here often and have always been so pleased.

Mango and Shrimp Salad is a popular lunch dish.($11.00) On a previous visit a friend ordered the Crab Quiche and stated that it was the best she has ever had. I ordered the Smoked Salmon and Rosti potatoes for a brunch dish on a past visit. It was excellent.

The menu is extensive. The food is always plated like a work of art. The food is tasty and the service is delightful.

Make sure you save room for dessert. Today we shared a Lemon Meringue creation. It was on a coconut cookie and had fresh strawberries in a glaze on the side.($8.00)

I just pretended there were no calories. The dessert melted in my mouth.

Thank you Marianne for all your generosity. I hope you enjoyed your lunch as much as I did.

Summer Hours

What a beautiful thought provoking film. It was sensitively handled and left an impact. Helene lives on an estate in rural France. It is a lovely country house and the terrain is wild and colorful. We aren’t quite sure of her relationship to the former owner, a famous painter. He is dead and has left all the magnificent furniture and valuable paintings. The elderly Eloise looks after Helene.

Helene’s three children come to visit. Her daughter, Adreienne lives in the United States. She is a designer. One son works in Peking and the other is an economist living in France. They seem to be a caring family fond of one another.

Helene must have had a premonition because she discusses her belongings with her children. She tells them how she wants things distributed.

Soon after she dies and the children come together for the funeral. They discuss the house and the valuable articles inside. They have no need for the lovely house or the artifacts. They had obviously meant a lot to Helene and I found it very understandable but sad that after her death everything was sold.

It does make you think about the value of material things and certainly the emotional value. Poor Eloise is left an expensive vase that probably had no meaning for her.

The daughter visits the museum where some of the splendid furniture is on display. It was emotional and I almost felt as if the furniture was abandoned and sent to a place where it doesn’t really belong. At the same time I realized that now many other people could appreciate this fine furniture.

The grandchildren come to the house for a final party before it is turned over to the new owners. A large crowd of young folk arrive on scooters and cars for the final party. They drink beer and dance. They have skateboards and swim in the pond. Nobody was disrespectful but it was so out of character to see all these young adults ‘whooping it up’ in this stately country house. It was such a contrast from the way Helene lived in the house. I couldn’t help but wonder what she would have thought of all that was happening in her quiet house.

The cinematography is beautiful. The film moves at a slow pace in keeping with the story. All the actors performed well. This is an excellent film well worth seeing. When French is spoken the sub titles are displayed. The relatives living in the States speak English.

Departures

This is one of the best films I have ever seen. No wonder it won the Oscar this year for best foreign film. Congratulations to Japan for this outstanding sensitive creative piece of art.

Daigo is a gentle beautiful young man. He is happily married to his lovely Mika. Daigo plays the cello but is just not good enough to stay with the symphony. We are treated to one performance of the symphony with a fabulous chorus. It was wonderful. Daigo loses his job and is at loose ends.

He is hired to work with a caring man who prepares the dead bodies for cremation. There is a ritual to be followed. One moment you are laughing and the next moment the kleenex are needed. Both Daigo and his boss are so sensitive and gentle with the departed. It is really beautiful to watch them in action. I could almost feel the tender touch as they prepare the body. The family sits and watches as the preparations go on. A cover is placed on top of the body as the men gently wash the body under the cover. Makeup is softly applied.

Daigo is shunned by friends for doing this work. Even his wife cannot accept this job and leaves him. When she discovers she is pregnant she comes back home.

When the lady at the bathhouse dies Daigo is called. Mika goes with him. She sees how tender and caring he is with the body and she sheds a tear.

Daigo is called to say goodbye to his father. His father had run off with a younger woman and Daigo hadn’t seen him in 30 years. He tends to the body and is able to say good bye in a ritual way.

The cinematography is magnificent. The symbolic white birds are so beautiful to watch. The muted scenes in the winter and the blossoms in summer are exquisite. Daigo’s serene face and gently hands are inspirational.

I actually have a new understanding of the gentleness of death. I learned a lot about the tradition. This film indeed deserves to be called the best of the year.

Wanda's Waffles

Don’t plan to come here for that big event. Don’t even think about sitting around for a relaxing lunch. This delightful spot has room for two people to stand inside. There is no seating space. There is no parking. There is often a line up outside. It is a few doors north of Dundas on Yonge St.

If you have ever been to Belgium you will probably have tasted those wonderful waffles. Nobody can make a waffle like in Belgium. They melt in your mouth. You can purchase them on the street everywhere. This is second best.

It was a beautiful day and I took my waffle to Dundas Square and sat outdoors enjoying every bite.

The Waffles are baked in front of you and are served hot. You can order sauces or whipped cream. Fresh fruit is also available.

Imagine a lunch for $2.99. That is what I paid for a single waffle. Wanda’s Original Waffle with whipped cream and strawberries is $5.99

Toasted Gourmet Sandwiches are also available. Tuna Melt with Lemon Capers is $5.99 Veggie Panini is filled with chickpea hummus and assorted vegetables.($5.99)

I call this a fun place. No where to sit. Nowhere to eat. Drive by and have a feast in the car or go to the Dundas Square. You’ll find a way. Just go and have a tasting treat.

Bistro Tournesal

I remember well when this bistro first opened. Yves and Martha moved from a restaurant on Prince Arthur. I used to frequent this little French bistro for a long time. I haven’t been back for many years. I was astonished to see how attractive the Bistro is. The ambiance, posters and music take you immediately to France. I noticed on the card that Mel Bryan, Philip Lewicki and Craig Lockhart are the proprietors. I want to congratulate them on a fine establishment.

My family and I were out for a little dinner before going to the theatre. What a grand surprise to find such elegance and fine dining. The menu was a prix fixe at $28.00 for 2 courses. There were many choices. The service was warm and attentive. We admired the plating of every dish presented. The food was served hot and was absolutely delicious.

Kathy started with the Tornesol Green Salad. It was served with sunflower seeds and strawberries in strawberry black pepper vinaigrette. I was delighted with the Frisee Salad served with Danish Blue Cheese, croutons and roasted nut dressing. Ray and Alex thoroughly enjoyed the Mussels steamed in white wine with sweet red onion, roasted garlic and fresh tomato. A special Crepe Du Jour was very tempting. Another time I will opt for the Duo of Smoked Salmon and Smoked Trout served with cabbage chiffonade, sour cream and pumpernickel.

Alex enjoyed the Traditional Beef Bourginon served over a bed of pasta.(add $3.00) Ray and I thought the Cedar Roasted Salmon with citrus vinaigrette was superb. Each portion of salmon was actually served on a mini cedar plank. The vegetables were perfectly cooked. The presentation was so tantalizing and all the food was hot as it should be. Kathy enjoyed the Rare-roasted Duck Breast served with wild blueberry demi-glace. We could have chosen many other options. Last evening many guests seemed to be enjoying the Bouillabaisse with sea scallops, mussels, salmon shrimp and fresh tomato.(add $3.00)

The dessert list left us making tough choices. The Lemon Curd Tart was the choice. The flavor burst in my mouth. The pastry was delicate and flaky. The blueberry preserve was artistically placed on the plate. We all demolished this treat in no time.

I would say this meal was exceptional. Obviously it was wonderful to be with the family. What an evening! We then went on to enjoy a production at the Tarragon Theatre. We noticed that most of the patrons at the restaurant had also made the dinner and theatre a full evening.

I will be back for more of this delicious food.

The Hangover

This film doesn’t deserve more than a second of my time. That second is one bold word,” NO.” I was in Chicago visiting my family. My daughter-in-law has recently had surgery and I went there to be of help. I am ashamed that I even suggested a movie to her at this time. My grandson is very important to me. He suggested the film and said it would be a favor to him if I went to a movie that I really didn’t want to see. What would you do? Of course I went. We all went.

The film is coarse, degrading and in bad taste. A young man is about to be married and sets out for a bachelor weekend before the wedding. The theme is a common one and could have been a delightful film. Not with these characters.

Four buddies set out in the fancy car of the future father-in-law.

The day of the wedding arrives and the groom is missing. The film tells the story of the antics and nonsense of these three zany characters.

They get beaten up. They have accidents in the car. They even find a tiger in the washroom of their motel. Only these nuts could have such an experience. They drink too much and one character discovers in the morning that he has married a stripper and given her his grandmother’s ring from the holocaust. (Not funny)

The characters end up one night in jail. The police bring in students from a class to show them the jail. The police get great thrills in letting the students taser the men. (Also not funny)

The only humorous part was during the credits. Photos supposedly taken on the weekend are shown. They are gross but I did manage a smile or two. Maybe the smile was because the movie was over. Of course it ends on a positive note but I am not spoiling anything because you are not going to waste your money on this film.

At least we had enjoyed a fabulous meal before the film.

O'Horten

Odd Horten is a train driver running the Oslo- Bergen route for over 40 years. He leads a quiet lonely life and heads out each day to do the same routine. He lives in a hotel. The plain lady who serves him food gives the suggestion that she would be available for more. Odd Horten is just not interested. His best friend seems to be his pipe which he smokes while at work.

The beauty of this film is the cinematography. Most of the film is in grey, black and white tones. You feel the cold from the snow. The train travels through the bleak cold countryside. There were a few short scenes that introduced some color which was quite a contrast to the bleakness of most of the film. Each shot is precise and the lighting is so effective. The film moves at a very slow pace much like Odd Horton himself.

After 40 years he retires from this routine job. The farewell party was hilarious .He is presented with a statue of a silver locomotive. All the workers make sounds like a train and whistle. It is all done with a straight face. The entertainment for the party is a quiz about train routes and trivia.

What is he going to do with his time? He is such a lonely character. He does meet a few interesting characters.

The ending is rather bizarre. I would say this is an unusual film that is extremely well performed.

Porter Airlines

his is not a restaurant. I have not been hired by Porter to do a promotion. I am just so pleased with the service that I want to share my experience.

I was returning from Chicago.

Before leaving for the airport, my grandson and granddaughter had prepared a fantastic brunch. I was completely satisfied. This is a short haul flight and we all know that the major competition doesn’t serve anything.

I love Porter Airlines. I like leaving from the island. It is such a short haul to the airport. The lounge is first class and so comfortable. All the seating is in comfortable leather seats. The configuration is two seats on either side of the aisle. It is comfort and easy. The bags arrive immediately and even have an attendant take the bags from the belt.

During the flight a light lunch was served. I declared that I am vegetarian and that was no problem. A small box was delivered with a smile.

The best foccacio bread was filled with grilled vegetables. It was amazingly delicious. Crackers and cheese were also in the box. A small chocolate candy was added for a treat. The best part was the big chocolate cookie filled with giant pieces of dark chocolate. I couldn’t believe it.

Drinks of all kinds were available on this short hop from Chicago to Toronto.

I just had to share this unexpected delight.

Every Little Step

If you loved Chorus Line you will be enthralled with this documentary about the 1975 musical as well as the revival in 2006.We see actual footage of the director of the first production. We see some of the rehearsals and learn how the production actually was formatted. It started as a glimmer of an idea when the director collected information from all the actors and dancers he had met. It was a daring concept and many were not sure it would work.

The revival production interviewed 1000 performers and had to cut it down to 19. It was so personal to watch these talented young people strut and dance in anticipation of getting the job and having work. The standards were exceptional high.

It was such fun to see several dancers try out for the same part. I found myself trying to guess who deserved the part. Several of those tryouts were interviewed and told us their story. It was so touching.

One very talented man had a unique approach. After his audition he stated that it was his party in there not theirs. He said that he does what he wants to do and then said he didn’t need the part. Another contestant was so moving in his audition that the panelists were all crying. I confess the audience was also wiping away tears.

The film then jumps ahead 4 months and we see the final call backs. Can you imagine the nerves the contestants must have experienced?

One performer stated that each night is opening night and also closing night because you just don’t know what will happen.

The production is filmed again 8 months later and then finally it is opening night. I was saddened to see that the production was in memory of Michael Bennett, the original director.

This documentary has it all. I learned so much about what goes into a musical production. By the end of the film I felt I personally knew some of the characters. I really cared about some of them and was totally in awe of the unbelievable talent. I loved Chorus Line and now I am thrilled by this documentary about the first production as well as the revival. Don’t miss this one.

Empties

This film could well be a contender for the best foreign film this year. It was touching and very sensitive. I found it fascinating that the writer and director are father and son. Both collaborated previously in the award winning film Kolya. The father also has the leading role. He is fantastic.

The Czech Republic can be very proud of this twosome. I understand that during the process of writing there was an impasse with the father and son and as a result the film was put on hold for a while. Perhaps that break made it better when they finally reunited because this is a film that is a must.

Josef is a cranky, bitter high school teacher in his 60’s. The students play pranks on him and verbally abuse him. He finally retires because he simply can’t cope.

The film basically portrays his attempt to find fulfillment in his life.

He briefly works as a bike courier but has an accident early in his career and that puts an end to that job. He then finds a job working in a super market collecting the returned bottles. He is charming to the customers and seems to be happy. The problem arises when the store automates the system. Josef has quite an imagination and fantasizes about young women.

I felt so sorry for his wife, Eliska. She tried so hard to communicate with her husband. She felt empty and alone. She accuses him of not wanting to stay home with an old woman. She looks after him but he hasn’t any appreciation of her efforts.

The daughter’s marriage has broken up. Her husband has taken off with another woman. The daughter and grandson spend a lot of time with the parents.

Josef wants to surprise his wife and plans to take her up in a hot air balloon. Even these plans have problems. I found myself laughing at some of the antics. At the same time the human emotions were so real.

I could relate to his problems with the students. I cold relate to the wife’s anguish of an unresponsive husband. I could even understand that she was tempted by the friend who tries to woo her. I could relate to the pain felt by the daughter when her husband leaves her.

I found it very touching to see the characters trying to rise above their situation. The film was not a downer and I left with a positive feeling that the characters had developed and grown emotionally.

This is a very satisfying film. I loved the film shots in the city of Prague.

The Chef's House...in June

My very dear friend, Annette, was celebrating a birthday. Friend Estelle and I wanted to enjoy a fine dinner with Annette and her husband. We didn’t tell her where she was going and wanted to surprise her. She has heard me rave about this very favorite spot.

As soon as they entered the restaurant they commented on the elegant fine design.

I confess that this is my third visit this month. I could eat here every day and never get tired of such fine dining. My last few visits were for lunch so I was also excited about having a dinner experience.

The Chef’s House is part of the George Brown Culinary Arts Program as well as the School of Hospitality. All the servers are students. This is half the fun. They try so hard and want to please you. They have many servers so you are guaranteed a lot of attention. Large monitors allow you to watch the preparation of the food. The food is beautifully presented and is always of the finest quality and standard. I have found the menu to be creative and tantalizing. There are several choices in each category so everybody should be satisfied. 3 Courses at dinner are $39.00 and 4 courses are $45.00. As this is a school the wine and alcohol prices are very reasonable. It is worth every penny.

We were initially treated to a small appetizer. It was so exciting when the chef came to the table to explain what we were enjoying. A small potato was covered with home prepared gravlox. It was topped with a wasabi sauce and topped with a touch of caviar. Delicious!

I opted for the Green Pea Salad. It was a most creative and interesting salad. I can’t wait to try it at home. Outstanding! Green pea pods, asparagus, lima beans and fresh greens were lightly coated with a light pesto tasting sauce.

The birthday girl enjoyed her Prawns, Mussels and Daily Fish specialty steamed in a lime lemongrass broth. Two of the other guests opted for the Grilled Lamb Chop and Roasted Lamb Shoulder. The presentation on an irregular shaped dish was art perfect. The meat was perfectly cooked.

I enjoyed a vegetarian creation that was very special. Spinach, Parmesan Cheese and Mushrooms were formed into round balls and cooked. I loved it. The dish was called ‘gnudi’ which is an Italian joke. The word means nude and the dish was a pasta dish without pasta, therefore nude. If this was a joke it was a winning combination and I had a smile on my face.

Three of the guests enjoyed the Rhubarb Tart. It had a creamy filling and wondrous rhubarb sauce. I ordered the Cheese Plate. Selected Canadian cheeses were beautifully displayed on the plate with a house made fig treat.

The menu changes often. The food is the freshest available. The presentation of the food is a work of art. A reservation is a must. I have never found the restaurant to be too noisy. There is good reason this is my favorite place. The birthday girl seemed to enjoy it all. That made it a perfect evening.

In a few weeks my grandson and his delightful partner are coming from Chicago for a visit. I wonder if they would like to dine here?

Treadwell's

I have just returned from the finest wedding possible in a little stone church on the grounds of Ridley College in St Catherines. The bride was beautiful. The groom was so happy and adorable. The mother of the bride was glowing. Her partner (my brother) was so handsome. The music was divine.

The reception was held in this phenomenal restaurant facing the water in the charming Port Dalhousie. This little town has a buzz. It is small but has quaint shops and little bistros. The street was alive and had a positive energy. It is so close to Niagara On The Lake. I had no idea that such perfection of food was available in this area. The ambiance is charming. The service was beyond excellent.

I would not have thought it possible to serve 100 people such picture perfect, fantastic tasting food. The restaurant advertises a farm to table philosophy. On the back of the Brunch Menu a list of suppliers is presented. I found it fascinating. Many of the ingredients come from the neighboring area. For example, the Persall Natural’s Ltd of Jordan provides the 100 % cold pressed canola and soy bean oil. Whitty Farms provides some of the most delicious fruit and vegetables from the family owned farm just 15 minutes from the restaurant. Herbanity is the home for the herbs that are grown in this area.

The appetizers were plentiful and very delicious. They were passed around during cocktail hour by a very efficient, warm, young staff. We were all in anticipation of the meal ahead as we proceeded to the beautifully decorated tables with individual little boxes of chocolates. All the tables faced out to the water.

The first course was Roasted Beet Salad with a Goat Cheese Tartlet. It looked too good to eat. After the first bite there was no stopping.

A second course of Seared Lake Erie Pickerel was beautifully presented on individual large white platters. The servers explained all the ingredients and were so attentive throughout the whole evening.

The main course was a slow cooked (13 hours) Beef Ribs with leeks and fresh vegetables.

We were all full at this stage but the dessert was the ‘piece de resistance’. Sticky Pudding was served in ball form on a large platter with a caramel cream sauce. Ice cream topped the creation. I have no problem stating that this was the best dessert that I have ever experienced.

As we were leaving the magnificent wedding cake of a Gateau St Honore was served. Can you believe it?

I checked out the menus to see what is available on a regular service. Sunday Brunch will get me a return visit to this happy spot. The menu is extensive and provides a variety of choices.

A Free Range Egg Omelette with ‘Frankies Asparagus’ is served with a simple salad.($12.00) Citrus Smoked Lake Trout on toasted brioche is served with goat cheese and sauce Gribiche.($16.00)

At dinner you can order from the extensive menu or opt for a Tasting Menu. 3 courses are available for $56.00. A Vegetarian Menu is provided at $45.00 A 6 course menu is $80.00 0 or $130.00 with wine. I should add that wines of the area were served and we were thrilled with fine quality and taste.

Treadwell’s is an adventure in the finest dining.

Prairie Ink

Have you seen the new Don Mills Plaza? We felt as if we were in an American city in a posh shopping area. This is unlike any other shopping area in Toronto. All the shops are entered from outdoor. There is no high rise. The shops are designed in elegant fine lines on a series of streets that encircles the area. The quality of the merchandise is definitely up scale. There is some underground parking. Most of the cars park on the street in front of the shops. How nice that there are no meters or charges for parking. The whole area feels like a small village. It is great fun to walk from shop to shop. The centre area features the Clock Tower. Benches and a green area make it pleasant to sit and relax surrounded by these fantastic shops. Some shops are imported directly from the states and are new here in Toronto. The large book shop owned by McNally Robinson is the home for this wonderful restaurant. McNally Robinson has other book stores in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and New York. What a fantastic book store! Author events featuring local and international writers are common practice. Every Friday and Saturday evening you can enjoy free live entertainment.

The restaurant is on the second floor of the book store. Local produce and ingredients are used whenever possible. All breads and baking are done on the premises. I was delighted to hear that recycling is most important. What can’t be re-cycled is composted.

No wonder the place was crowded at lunch time during the week. The wooden floors, tables and chairs are inviting. One wall is covered completely with windows so you can watch all the action taking place outside.

Our server, Michelle, was excellent. She kept returning to see if everything was to our satisfaction. She was charming, efficient and very friendly.

My sister, cousin Helen and I had a delightful afternoon in spite of the cold winds outdoors. We had heard that the Crab Cakes are excellent. They are seasoned with ginger, lemon grass and lime leaves, served with lime aioli.($12.00) Sweet Potato Perogies are filled with sweet potato and a mixture of smoked and aged cheddar cheese.($11.00) Macaroni and Cheese is always a good bet for a satisfying lunch. It is home made with aged and smoked cheddar cheese and served with mixed greens.($10.00)

All sandwiches are served with choice of sweet potato fries, salad or a cup of soup. Helen ordered a Caesar Wrap with Chicken. She chose the Red Pepper Soup. It was a generous portion and thoroughly enjoyed.

My sister ordered the same wrap but with the sweet potato fries. Delicious!

I opted for the Roasted Beet and Goat cheese Salad. A mixture of Ontario beets and fresh goat cheese, toasted walnuts, oranges and mixed greens were lightly mixed with shallot vinaigrette.($10.00) This was a wonderful combination of the finest fresh ingredients. I considered the Warm Asparagus Salad served with roasted red peppers, proscuitto, toast and a balsamic reduction.($9.00)

Two pages of tantalizing desserts are tempting. They are all made on the premises Come for a full meal or afternoon coffee with a sweet. You will feel very welcome. This new restaurant in town has become a hub to meet friends and have satisfying dining in fine style.

We had a great family visit and vowed to come back again for more shopping and another satisfying dining experience.

Up

This is a very creative brilliant film. When I first heard about this animated film I was thinking of a story for children. I recommend this picture for anyone from 5 years old and up. Truthfully the story makes more sense for a mature person. .The story is clever and the creative execution of the animation is such fun and so entertaining.

Mr. Carl Fredrickson is an older retired balloon salesman. living alone in his little house with the beautiful memories of his lovely wife Ellie. They had always promised each other that they would save their money in order to make a wonderful adventurous journey to South America.

Ellie became ill and died. Poor Mr. Fredickson only had his wonderful memories of a great relationship. Construction was taking place all around his house and he became totally isolated in every way. I read that the caricature of Mr. Fredrickson was based loosely on Spencer Tracy. The voice is by Ed Asner. He is the most delightful character. I mentioned that this film can be enjoyed by retired folk. When poor Mr. Erickson gets out of bed in the morning and tries to straighten up I could relate. He sits in his comfortable chair and lets out a sigh.

A knock at the door introduces us to the cutest character, Russell. He is a scout looking to get a badge for helping an elderly citizen. At first Mr. Frederickson is rude and nasty to poor Russell. He doesn’t want anything to do with him. Russell looks like a butterball all decorated with his numerous scout badges.

The excitement begins when the house takes off with a multitude of balloons pulling it up into the sky. A knock at the door and we find the delightful faced Russell hanging on for dear life and wanting to come in.

The film tells the adventures of Russell and Mr. Erickson as they soar in the sky inside the little house. They face a series of problems and disasters. A wild scientist, a giant bird and a delightful dog are all part of the series of events faced by the characters.

A young child might be frightened by some of the scenes. At today’s showing there was a lot of laughter from a few children and several adults.

We all have dreams and often they are not realized. Mr. Erickson waited a long time and finally was able to have the adventure of his life. He changed from a lonely angry man into a kind person. He was sorry that he didn’t have the chance to travel with his dear Ellie but promised her he would take the trip they had always imagined.

The adventures are all wild and wonderful. The animation is the most creative I have ever seen. It is a fun story. I laughed and I shed tears.

This is a must for persons of all ages. I think it would be fun to see the film with a child so that you could discuss it from different points of view.

Bar Mercurio

Elaine and I had just seen a terrible film. We needed to discuss why we thought it was so bad. Elaine suggested a short walk to this favorite fine dining spot in the neighborhood. It was early yet the restaurant was almost filled. By the time we left it was packed. This is a family run business and it shows. Both L’Espresso (across the road) and Bar Mercurio are owned by the family. Mother still makes the bread and let me tell you it is delicious. The white bean paste, a glass of wine and that delicious bread would make a fine dinner for me anytime. Theresa, the daughter, is mainly at L’Espresso and I greatly admire the friendly efficient way she manages that restaurant. Brother Joe and other family members are always in touch with the guests and make sure all is done to perfection.

At lunch there is always lovely jazz music playing in the background. You order your food at the counter and you are called when it has been prepared. The food is so fresh and tasty and absolutely authentic Italian.

In the evening candle light and full table service makes this a delightful place to dine. Do make a reservation because this is one hot spot.

Everybody is greeted as if they are family members. These servers are extremely attentive and good. I have always felt that the food was superior, fresh and beautifully presented.

Insalata Mercurio offers mesclun, apple, parmeggiano chards, sautéed mushrooms, with a house vinaigrette.($10.00) Carpaccio Di Tonno is so delicious with tuna carpaccio served on a dollop of salsa verde layered on a bed of shredded mango.($14.00) Calamari Al Ferri are Cajun-spiced calamari served on a mango salad.($11.00) Antipasto di Beets is so delicious. I have enjoyed this salad with beet wedges, pine nut sprinkle and gorgonzola cheese.($12.00)

On this visit I had the need for a pasta fix. I was not disappointed with my Linguine Al Frutti Di Mare. The linguine was perfectly al dente. The sea food was plentiful and very tasty. The Al Pomodoro Sauce was so tasty and fully flavored.($25.00) Elaine also enjoyed her Orecchietti Della Casa cooked with rapini, white Tuscan beans and aglio e Olio.($18.00)

The pizzas are large and delicious. I used to meet my grandson here for lunch every Wednesday when he was going to school across the road. Each week Alex would order the Pizza Margarita.($11.00) The Pizza Gorgonzola tops the delicious crust with gorgonzola cheese, mozzarella, caramelized onions, walnuts and apple.($16.00) Pizza Yuppie features toppings of pomodoro, mozzarella, in house smoked salmon and sun-dried tomatoes and chevre.($17.00)

If you prefer a full entrée you might want to try the Bistecca. USDA Prime tenderloin steak is served with in- house frittes and seasonal vegetables.($49.00) Cappone Arrostito offers roasted crispy and honey glazed capon, house frittes, chipotle aioli and seasonal vegetables.($26.00)

Check the pastries in the counter as you enter. You may be tempted to save some room for these tasty desserts.

I love this restaurant. I have always had superb food, beautifully plated and served in a warm atmosphere. I salute this family for running an outstanding restaurant. I will keep going back.Elaine and I had a wonderful evening in spite of the terrible movie and the downpour of rain as we left the restaurant.

Easy Virtue

I have been following the promos for this Noel Coward story and frankly I couldn’t wait for it to open. What a disappointment! Worse than that. It was terrible. I usually love period pieces. I love to view the old English mansions with the vast grounds. The clothes and the large extravagant rooms are fascinating. Noel Coward was a good author. So what went wrong? My friend Elaine and I disliked it from the very beginning. I had to step on her foot to keep her from leaving. She wanted out. We had quite a laugh when we left the theatre and two lovely senior ladies said,” Wasn’t that marvelous?” We spared them our views and just smiled. In spite of it being so bad we did spend the next few hours over dinner discussing the film and trying to understand why we didn’t like it.

The film was meant to be a farce and therefore it should have been funny. I just felt the characters were foolish and their portrayal became boring. I blame the director. There were several silly scenes. We did get a laugh when two of the characters were dancing the Can Can at a big party and it was revealed one dancer was not wearing underpants.

John is the son of a family living in a grand manse in the English countryside. John has just married the beautiful American widow. John is bringing her home to meet the family. She is totally different from the English in-laws. She is a racing car driver and a free thinker. She believes in talking with the kitchen help and smoking. This beautiful, well dressed free spirited lady just didn’t fit in. The only good part of the film was appreciating her magnificent body in those great clothes.

The mother was stodgy and snooty and always sticking to her English traditions. She is in an unhappy marriage. Her quite handsome husband came home from the war and just didn’t relate anymore to the silly way of life. He was happiest in his garage working on his motorcycle. Both daughters are pathetic.

The new bride doesn’t fit in at all. She does relate to her father-in-law because he understands her and accepts her for being different and fresh.

The bride just wants to leave this unhappy house. She wants to go to live in London. John is weak and takes his responsibility of looking after his mother and the house as his first priority.

In a good farce the comings and goings mock the mores and the events taking place. This film tries to do this but misses the boat.

It is not a musical but from time to time a few lines of a song are sung. The story tries to portray the English standards of the day and show how difficult it was for an American girl to come and try and fit in with this society. We also learn that the family is in debt and will have to sell off some of the land. In these times of recession I could certainly relate to the economic problems.

Maybe the acting was overdone. I still think the story line could have been fun and interesting.

There are many films that are much better. Why waste your time?

The Chef's House... again

The minute I approach this favorite spot I feel good. It is worth going to appreciate the fine décor. Both indoors and outside the designers have crafted an elegant, modern but warm ambiance. The subtle use of color is so creative. I love the monitors on view to watch the chefs preparing the great food. This is a school for Culinary Arts and a School of Hospitality.

Keep in mind that your servers are students and in fact your visit is part of their classroom work. I always like to congratulate a server for a job well done. Tanika was our server today and also on my last visit. I couldn’t believe it was only her third classroom meeting with actual diners. Her smile would warm any room. She is so efficient and willing to help. This young lady has a future in hospitality.

The food preparation is all supervised so that the student chefs get a lot of practice under professional care. The food is outstanding. There are several options in each category. The price depends on the number of courses not the choices on the menu.

For lunch, 2 courses are $18.00. 3 courses are $22.00. 4 courses including a cheese plate are $25.00. Dinner is slightly more expensive. Wine and cocktails are extremely reasonable because this is a hospitality school and also a culinary arts program.

By the way you definitely need a reservation. On several occasions the restaurant was fully booked when I tried to get a reservation. I noted that this week the restaurant is featuring a Viva Italia evening. Chef Marco Soldat from Italy will be working with the s students. The price of $125.00 is high but you are guarant4eed 5 courses of gourmet food. It is totally booked and I am sorry. I will definitely try another special evening if I hear about it in time.

On this occasion I was treating my dear friend G.R. She needed a hug and I wanted to see her before her upcoming trip to Europe for a friends wedding.

I started with the House Cured Salmon Gravlox served with fennel slaw and honey mustard sauce. I have it on several past occasions. The presentation is artful and the taste is majestic. On my previous visit I chose the Asparagus, Quinoa Tomato Cucumber Salad with guacamole. Delicious! The only appetizer I have yet to try is the Arugula and Chicory Salad with walnuts, goat cheese and herb vinaigrette. G.R. enjoyed her Parsley Frittata with Garlic Sautéed Shrimps and tossed greens. I had enjoyed this dish on my last visit. It is wondrous.

We shared a Rhubarb Ginger Crumble with house-made-ice cream of the day.

I know I will be back. I hope it is soon. What could be better than excellent company and divine food? YUMMERS!

Mothers and Daughters

This interesting mock documentary is playing at the Royal Cinema. I love this little down town theatre. It is nicely re-furbished and very comfortable. They always show top art films. The problem is that the cinema is not open in the daytime during the week. That means the only chance you have to see the excellent films is at night or once over the weekend. The films do not play continuously as in other theatres.

I must confess that I thought this was a documentary. It is not a great film but the subject matter was very gripping. Every mother and daughter will relate to some of the issues and at best will examine one’s own relationship with a daughter or mother.

Throughout the film we follow the story of three mothers and two of the daughters. Some of the lives are interconnected. The film does bounce back and forth telling us incidents of a mother or daughter. Sometimes we see the mother and daughter in conflict during communication. The jumping around and flitting from one story to another could be unsettling for many.

Mickie is a successful writer. She thrives on her fame and is totally self absorbed. She is artistic in her dress and life style. She goes to an anti-aging clinic. She has a party to celebrate her latest book. I found it interesting that all her guests were men. The men did nothing but argue and in my opinion the dinner was a disaster. Her daughter was also an interesting study. She was also a writer. I found her very attractive but her makeup was always heavy and extreme. She claimed that she was very close to her mother but they did nothing but fight. In one argument she slaps her mother across the face. Mickie did not approve of her boyfriend. On this fact I could agree with the mother. When Mickie kicked her daughter out of the house she went to her boyfriend’s house. We meet a young man completely absorbed in his sports on TV and sloppily eating a pizza. He didn’t actively hear anything his girlfriend said to him. Probably many can elate to this character.

For some reason my heart went out to Brenda. She was a middle aged rather frumpy housewife. She appears to be stressed and nervous. She discovers that her husband has a new lady and in fact a baby. The daughter is a psychotherapist who excessively works out at the gym. She is supportive of her mother. Brenda is also having economic problems and doesn’t know how to solve the situation.

Celine is a touching character. She paints houses. During one job she discovers that the young single homeowner is pregnant. Celine offers her empathy and counseling. I found her to be very touching. Because of her own past experience Celine was able to relate to the problems of this young woman.

At one point one of the characters states, “I would say to daughters to forgive your mothers because they didn’t know what they were getting into.” I couldn’t help but wonder what my own daughter would have to say if interviewed and how I would come across as a mother. If nothing else it made me think. I could relate to many of the problems faced by the mothers and daughters even if their life story was not my own. I found it very interesting.