Mt Everest 469 Bloor St West 416 964 8849
Taste of the Himalayas
On several occasions I have been the guest of friends attending wonderful Tafelmusik concerts. Dinner in their home was part of the evening. It was only fair that on this occasion I should invite them to be my guest for dinner. It had to be close to the concert. I was delighted when my friends suggested this restaurant. We were all thrilled with this choice.
The place was filled by 6:00 p.m. I imagine many of the patrons were also going to the concert. The service was very friendly and efficient. Dibesh Regmi (the most handsome manager) kept checking if all was to our satisfaction. The only problem was in trying to finish so much delicious food
My dining companions started with a bowl of Chicken Soup. ($4.99) Chicken soup and hearty vegetable broth are combined with Himalayan spices and herbs. It was thick and creamy. They declared it a winner.
I ordered Mixed Vegetable Pakoras ($4.99) to nibble on as a starter. They were flavorful. Crispy vegetables are golden fried with a light chickpeas flour batter. We all enjoyed them Delicious!
Palak Paneer ($11.49) is always a favorite choice of mine when dining on Indian food. It is so creamy and flavorful. Minced spinach is cooked with cubes of fresh homemade cottage cheese.
Tandoori Prawns ($19.99) arrived on a sizzling platter filled with julienne of vegetables. The portion was enormous. The shrimp were marinated in tasty spices and roasted in the clay oven. What wonderful flavors!
The Lamb Tikka ($16.99) was another favorite dish on this evening.
We all shared a Vegetable Biryani.($10.49) It was flavorful and perfectly spiced. Basmati rice and vegetables are flavored with saffron and cooked on low heat. We couldn’t begin to finish it all but certainly made an effort.
The food was promptly served. It was all steamy hot and very flavorful. The menu is varied and lengthy. The big problem is in choosing which wonderful dish you wish to enjoy. Make sure you are hungry when you arrive. It was a perfect prelude to another excellent Tafelmusik concert.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Cafe Belong
Café Belong at the Evergreen Brick Works 550 Bayview Ave
416 901 8234
My dear friend is going back to South Africa and I wanted to show her one more part of town. Neither of us had been to the Brick Works so this was going to be an adventure. The Brick Works is on a forlorn bit of property on the Bayview Extension. It was the former operation of Toronto Brick Works but has long been a desolate piece of property. The Evergreen Foundation has developed this property in the most exciting environmentally possible way. On the weekend the place is bustling with a Farmer’s Market.
We opted to view the property on a quieter weekday. How exciting to see school groups wandering the property doing environmental studies.
Cafe Belong is a great discovery. As you enter the door there is a takeout café. We thought this was the whole restaurant and quickly ordered. We were unaware that table service was available at the actual café.
My friend had the Eggs, Greens and Biscuit. A buttermilk biscuit (delicious) was filled with a scrambled egg and fresh kale. My friend raved about it all the way home. The egg was cooked to perfection.
I opted for the Squash Soup with Apple. I enjoyed the distinctive curry flavor. It was hot and very tasty. The Blueberry Scone was the best I have ever eaten. With a drink the total bill was $17.80.
We took our food to a table and were told that this was the seating for the regular café and the take out had a different seating area. Frances a most pleasant server, insisted we stay at the table and in fact brought us cloth napkins and made sure we were happy.. He cared for the other clients and was kind and charming to us.
Café Belong is open 7 days a week all year from 7:00 am to 10 p.m.
It is visually very pleasant. The brick walls and unusual lighting make it distinctive. Colorful Creuset pots are lined up on shelves and can be purchased. The large windows look out onto the yard of this environmental site. Unfortunately no buss comes in this direction. It is a bit ironical to have to drive to an environmentally positive site. Make sure you look for the electric cars plugged into the station in the parking lot. While visiting the café go to the 5th floor of Better Place Centre on the grounds. A film and an explanation of the new electric cars are absolutely fascinating.
Back to Café Belong. All the fish is ocean wise. Chef Owner Brad Long has carefully planned his menu.
Lentil and Beet Salad is served with kale and preserved lemon dressing.($11.00)
St Lawrence Salad offers a combination of greens, grains, nuts, fruit and cheese with browned butter vinaigrette.($14.00) Frittata is served with a mixed salad.($13.00) Grilled Vinegar Chicken is served on a warm potato salad.($28.00) Vegan Cabbage Rolls are stuffed with almonds, apples, squash, beans and wild rice.($!8.00)
I can’t wait to try the Communal Dinner Special Each of the communal evening meals is served family style with appropriate accompaniments in a five course presentation. Frances explained it all to us. The chef prepares all the food and each course is a surprise created by the chef to be shared by the group at the table. Vegetarian is $60.00 per person. Fish is $80.00 and Red Meats is $80.00 per person. Check out the gift shop as well. The total concept shows vision, creativity and intelligence.
416 901 8234
My dear friend is going back to South Africa and I wanted to show her one more part of town. Neither of us had been to the Brick Works so this was going to be an adventure. The Brick Works is on a forlorn bit of property on the Bayview Extension. It was the former operation of Toronto Brick Works but has long been a desolate piece of property. The Evergreen Foundation has developed this property in the most exciting environmentally possible way. On the weekend the place is bustling with a Farmer’s Market.
We opted to view the property on a quieter weekday. How exciting to see school groups wandering the property doing environmental studies.
Cafe Belong is a great discovery. As you enter the door there is a takeout café. We thought this was the whole restaurant and quickly ordered. We were unaware that table service was available at the actual café.
My friend had the Eggs, Greens and Biscuit. A buttermilk biscuit (delicious) was filled with a scrambled egg and fresh kale. My friend raved about it all the way home. The egg was cooked to perfection.
I opted for the Squash Soup with Apple. I enjoyed the distinctive curry flavor. It was hot and very tasty. The Blueberry Scone was the best I have ever eaten. With a drink the total bill was $17.80.
We took our food to a table and were told that this was the seating for the regular café and the take out had a different seating area. Frances a most pleasant server, insisted we stay at the table and in fact brought us cloth napkins and made sure we were happy.. He cared for the other clients and was kind and charming to us.
Café Belong is open 7 days a week all year from 7:00 am to 10 p.m.
It is visually very pleasant. The brick walls and unusual lighting make it distinctive. Colorful Creuset pots are lined up on shelves and can be purchased. The large windows look out onto the yard of this environmental site. Unfortunately no buss comes in this direction. It is a bit ironical to have to drive to an environmentally positive site. Make sure you look for the electric cars plugged into the station in the parking lot. While visiting the café go to the 5th floor of Better Place Centre on the grounds. A film and an explanation of the new electric cars are absolutely fascinating.
Back to Café Belong. All the fish is ocean wise. Chef Owner Brad Long has carefully planned his menu.
Lentil and Beet Salad is served with kale and preserved lemon dressing.($11.00)
St Lawrence Salad offers a combination of greens, grains, nuts, fruit and cheese with browned butter vinaigrette.($14.00) Frittata is served with a mixed salad.($13.00) Grilled Vinegar Chicken is served on a warm potato salad.($28.00) Vegan Cabbage Rolls are stuffed with almonds, apples, squash, beans and wild rice.($!8.00)
I can’t wait to try the Communal Dinner Special Each of the communal evening meals is served family style with appropriate accompaniments in a five course presentation. Frances explained it all to us. The chef prepares all the food and each course is a surprise created by the chef to be shared by the group at the table. Vegetarian is $60.00 per person. Fish is $80.00 and Red Meats is $80.00 per person. Check out the gift shop as well. The total concept shows vision, creativity and intelligence.
The Descendants
The Descendants
Get ready for the buzz about this excellent film. Whispers of Oscars can already be heard.
George Clooney is exceptional in his role of Matt King. Matt is a successful lawyer and a very wealthy man. He lives in Hawaii and is a descendant of a long line of wealthy family members.
His wife has a boating accident and is unconscious in the hospital. Matt now has to take over the parenting duties of his two daughters. They are a handful. They are rude and take advantage of Matt who simply doesn’t know how to handle them. Alex, the eldest is brought back from her wealthy private school to help with the younger sister and to visit with her dying mother. We learn that she had been in trouble with drugs and drinking.
Alex is angry with her mother and had argued with her when she had discovered her mother’s affair. Alex tells Matt. He was totally unaware and had promised himself that if his wife got better he was going to make the marriage better.
There is a lot of emotion in the film. I could understand how difficult it would be for a father to suddenly take over the responsibility of caring for two difficult children. He had always been too busy and unavailable.
There is also much humor to balance out the heavy duty ‘stuff’. The grandparents need to be told that Mom is not going to get better and the plugs have to be pulled. This could have been an emotional scene. It actually provided much humor.
The two girls are amazing in their roles. They come to love and respect their Dad and are supportive of him.
The family goes on a vacation to another Hawaiian island in search of Mom’s lover. Matt thinks he needs the opportunity to say goodbye to his wife.
The story line keeps you involved. Some of the plot is a little ‘over the top’ and strains your credibility. I had to remind myself that this is a film and not a documentary.
George Clooney is at his best in this film.
A secondary plot has Matt in control of a large family trust. The land trust is to be sold and he has to work with a large group of cousins. Matt takes the girls to see the site before it is potentially sold. The view is magnificent. I wanted to shout out,” Don’t sell.” I’m sure that is the feeling the director wanted the audience to experience.
Matt certainly has his hands full. He has to accept the news of his philandering wife. He has to come to grips with being the active parent. The land trust poses many problems especially when he learns who the real estate company is who is promoting the sale.
You won’t be bored. Overlook the issues that seem to be ‘over the top.’
I suggest you order your tickets in advance. The next show was already sold out.
Get ready for the buzz about this excellent film. Whispers of Oscars can already be heard.
George Clooney is exceptional in his role of Matt King. Matt is a successful lawyer and a very wealthy man. He lives in Hawaii and is a descendant of a long line of wealthy family members.
His wife has a boating accident and is unconscious in the hospital. Matt now has to take over the parenting duties of his two daughters. They are a handful. They are rude and take advantage of Matt who simply doesn’t know how to handle them. Alex, the eldest is brought back from her wealthy private school to help with the younger sister and to visit with her dying mother. We learn that she had been in trouble with drugs and drinking.
Alex is angry with her mother and had argued with her when she had discovered her mother’s affair. Alex tells Matt. He was totally unaware and had promised himself that if his wife got better he was going to make the marriage better.
There is a lot of emotion in the film. I could understand how difficult it would be for a father to suddenly take over the responsibility of caring for two difficult children. He had always been too busy and unavailable.
There is also much humor to balance out the heavy duty ‘stuff’. The grandparents need to be told that Mom is not going to get better and the plugs have to be pulled. This could have been an emotional scene. It actually provided much humor.
The two girls are amazing in their roles. They come to love and respect their Dad and are supportive of him.
The family goes on a vacation to another Hawaiian island in search of Mom’s lover. Matt thinks he needs the opportunity to say goodbye to his wife.
The story line keeps you involved. Some of the plot is a little ‘over the top’ and strains your credibility. I had to remind myself that this is a film and not a documentary.
George Clooney is at his best in this film.
A secondary plot has Matt in control of a large family trust. The land trust is to be sold and he has to work with a large group of cousins. Matt takes the girls to see the site before it is potentially sold. The view is magnificent. I wanted to shout out,” Don’t sell.” I’m sure that is the feeling the director wanted the audience to experience.
Matt certainly has his hands full. He has to accept the news of his philandering wife. He has to come to grips with being the active parent. The land trust poses many problems especially when he learns who the real estate company is who is promoting the sale.
You won’t be bored. Overlook the issues that seem to be ‘over the top.’
I suggest you order your tickets in advance. The next show was already sold out.
Margin Call
Margin Call
I had avoided this film because I am frankly tired of films and stories dealing with the evil doings of Wall Street. I can presume this story is based on the Lehman Bros. scandal.
A prominent financial company discovers that the numbers are pointing to a financial crisis. The story reports on what the characters do to stave off the crisis.
The film starts with the dismissal of a long time worker. He had done nothing wrong and was dismissed as part of a numbers game. It was sad to see him ushered out of his office with no notice. As he leaves he hands over a computer key to a worker and warns him about the power of the information. The worker then looks at the information and discovers that the financial numbers point to a collapse of the company.
It was very poignant and I saw several different points of view. The tough CEO (played by Jeremy Irons.) was determined to save himself and acted immorally. At one point everything is falling apart within the company. The CEO can be seen in the private dining room looking out on the fine lights of the city. He is dining on steak and drinking wine. He had the power and used it.
Those under him were ordered to sell useless stock in order to recoup some money for the company. The workers are blackmailed and told they will receive a substantial sum of money if they sell the useless stock.
What do you do? If you walk away from the situation you are guaranteed financial disaster and loss of everything. If you sell the useless stocks you are setting up a disaster for your clients?
Some of the young men had to make these difficult choices. I did empathize with the situation. One top manager is played by Kevin Spacey. You see his anguish. He wants to do the morally right thing but is pressured and afraid. He has been with the company for many years and has been a respected by his employees.
The film does get into the head of several of the workers. I was sad for some of the workers who felt pressured to do the wrong thing. I also felt anger that they made the wrong choice and ultimately were going to hurt innocent victims.
The performers were excellent in their roles. It was a good insight into one of the major scandals of Wall Street.
This was a fictionalized story but it portrayed how such events could have occurred. It played like a mystery story because I was never sure how the workers would respond. It made me question what my choices might have been.
The film keeps you in suspense and is well done. I can’t call it entertainment because it is painful but you will be absorbed,
I had avoided this film because I am frankly tired of films and stories dealing with the evil doings of Wall Street. I can presume this story is based on the Lehman Bros. scandal.
A prominent financial company discovers that the numbers are pointing to a financial crisis. The story reports on what the characters do to stave off the crisis.
The film starts with the dismissal of a long time worker. He had done nothing wrong and was dismissed as part of a numbers game. It was sad to see him ushered out of his office with no notice. As he leaves he hands over a computer key to a worker and warns him about the power of the information. The worker then looks at the information and discovers that the financial numbers point to a collapse of the company.
It was very poignant and I saw several different points of view. The tough CEO (played by Jeremy Irons.) was determined to save himself and acted immorally. At one point everything is falling apart within the company. The CEO can be seen in the private dining room looking out on the fine lights of the city. He is dining on steak and drinking wine. He had the power and used it.
Those under him were ordered to sell useless stock in order to recoup some money for the company. The workers are blackmailed and told they will receive a substantial sum of money if they sell the useless stock.
What do you do? If you walk away from the situation you are guaranteed financial disaster and loss of everything. If you sell the useless stocks you are setting up a disaster for your clients?
Some of the young men had to make these difficult choices. I did empathize with the situation. One top manager is played by Kevin Spacey. You see his anguish. He wants to do the morally right thing but is pressured and afraid. He has been with the company for many years and has been a respected by his employees.
The film does get into the head of several of the workers. I was sad for some of the workers who felt pressured to do the wrong thing. I also felt anger that they made the wrong choice and ultimately were going to hurt innocent victims.
The performers were excellent in their roles. It was a good insight into one of the major scandals of Wall Street.
This was a fictionalized story but it portrayed how such events could have occurred. It played like a mystery story because I was never sure how the workers would respond. It made me question what my choices might have been.
The film keeps you in suspense and is well done. I can’t call it entertainment because it is painful but you will be absorbed,
Mysteries of Lisbon
Mysteries Of Lisbon
Do you have 4 ½ hours to spare? Originally Mysteries Of Lisbon was a 6 hour television series in Portugal. It is an adaptation of a 19th century novel by Portuguese author, Camilo Castelo. I do feel it could have been edited even further and maintained its dignity. Director Raul Ruiz was ill while making this epic and unfortunately never made it to the showing at the Toronto Film Festival.(2010)
I felt I needed a program to keep all the characters straight. At times I was confused. This is an epic historical story that follows the life of a young bastard, Joao. He is the narrator of this complicated mammoth tale. He is living in an orphanage under the tutelage of Father Dinis. He is teased by the other boys because he does not know his father. He has a head injury and loses consciousness. He is visited by a beautiful woman who leaves him a present. The mother gives her son a diorama with paper moving characters. Throughout his life he makes up stories using this set and telling stories to himself.
We learn the sad story of this woman who really is his mother. She was a noble woman in love with a handsome young man and became pregnant with Joao. Her father, a Marquis, forced her to marry a nobleman. The husband treated her brutally and kept her locked up for years. When the husband dies he leaves her money. She refuses to take his money and goes to a convent for the rest of her life. Once again Joao is abandoned.
As he gets older he meets many noblemen and some beautiful women. It seems as if each character has his/ her own tale. Each character has secrets and some even have different identities. There is intrigue, seduction and surprises with each event in is life. Sometimes the story goes back in time to explain certain events in his life. This can be confusing. Each character that he meets seems to have a tale to tell. It is complicated and some of the characters overlap in their stories. Always Joao is searching to discover the truth about his father.
For my part it was a long afternoon of viewing the most magnificent costumes. I wasn’t bored for a minute. The elegant estates were lavish and magnificent. The cinematography got into the heart of the characters. The countryside and the lavish estates showed artful detail. Magnificent murals on the walls, elegant furniture, and elaborate candelabra kept me in awe.
I loved listening to the Portuguese and trying to understand it. Of course there were English subtitles. When Joao gets older he goes to France. At this point French is spoken.
At the beginning of the film it is stated that this is not a work of fiction. It is a diary of sufferings. Indeed it is. Everyone has a painful story. Some survive. Many die
There is one 10 minute intermission. Everybody seems to be enthralled and nobody left before the ending.
This is truly a historical epic. Be prepared to sit for a long time.
Do you have 4 ½ hours to spare? Originally Mysteries Of Lisbon was a 6 hour television series in Portugal. It is an adaptation of a 19th century novel by Portuguese author, Camilo Castelo. I do feel it could have been edited even further and maintained its dignity. Director Raul Ruiz was ill while making this epic and unfortunately never made it to the showing at the Toronto Film Festival.(2010)
I felt I needed a program to keep all the characters straight. At times I was confused. This is an epic historical story that follows the life of a young bastard, Joao. He is the narrator of this complicated mammoth tale. He is living in an orphanage under the tutelage of Father Dinis. He is teased by the other boys because he does not know his father. He has a head injury and loses consciousness. He is visited by a beautiful woman who leaves him a present. The mother gives her son a diorama with paper moving characters. Throughout his life he makes up stories using this set and telling stories to himself.
We learn the sad story of this woman who really is his mother. She was a noble woman in love with a handsome young man and became pregnant with Joao. Her father, a Marquis, forced her to marry a nobleman. The husband treated her brutally and kept her locked up for years. When the husband dies he leaves her money. She refuses to take his money and goes to a convent for the rest of her life. Once again Joao is abandoned.
As he gets older he meets many noblemen and some beautiful women. It seems as if each character has his/ her own tale. Each character has secrets and some even have different identities. There is intrigue, seduction and surprises with each event in is life. Sometimes the story goes back in time to explain certain events in his life. This can be confusing. Each character that he meets seems to have a tale to tell. It is complicated and some of the characters overlap in their stories. Always Joao is searching to discover the truth about his father.
For my part it was a long afternoon of viewing the most magnificent costumes. I wasn’t bored for a minute. The elegant estates were lavish and magnificent. The cinematography got into the heart of the characters. The countryside and the lavish estates showed artful detail. Magnificent murals on the walls, elegant furniture, and elaborate candelabra kept me in awe.
I loved listening to the Portuguese and trying to understand it. Of course there were English subtitles. When Joao gets older he goes to France. At this point French is spoken.
At the beginning of the film it is stated that this is not a work of fiction. It is a diary of sufferings. Indeed it is. Everyone has a painful story. Some survive. Many die
There is one 10 minute intermission. Everybody seems to be enthralled and nobody left before the ending.
This is truly a historical epic. Be prepared to sit for a long time.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Mideastro
MIDEASTRO Yorkville 27 Yorkville Ave 4164772427
It may sound like the Leon and Benny show but it is the finest new happening in town. Leon Goldstein hails from Israel but has traveled and lived in many countries before becoming the owner /manager of this chic new establishment.
Benny Cohen is the creative chef behind the exotic food adding an Israeli twist to the gourmet specialties.
I liked everything about this place. Kudos to Leon for designing a functional aesthetic space. This is a huge restaurant. The tables are well spaced. There is room for large parties or tables for 2.The dark wood panels, dark tables and chairs give it a suave elegant look. The washrooms must be visited. State of the art plumbing makes one feel like a special guest. I loved the simplicity. The beautiful wood and décor speaks for itself. One cityscape mural is on the wall at the end of the restaurant. It was so refreshing to see bare walls giving warmth to the establishment.
Benny Cohen likes to cook with fusion spices and the presentations are creative and festive. The portions are very generous. Chef Cohen has even promised to prepare my favorite Israeli dish ‘shoshooka’ on my next visit. Get ready because I am returning.
Our adorable server was Felipe who hails from Columbia and has enjoyed Toronto now for 5 years. He looks like a teenager but was so well versed in the wine menu and the food. I would call this place an inspiration. That is exactly the intention of the management. They wanted to bring something new to the neighborhood.
The artisan bread and three delicious dips start you off with a plus. My friend and I had just been to a depressing film. We wanted an uplifting new experience. We opted for 3 appetizers to share.
The Burrata Salad was prepared with imported soft Italian cheese served with arugula in oregano balsamic vinaigrette. Shaved parmigiano reggiano, heirloom tomatoes and kalamata olives are included. Bruschetta salad glazed with a balsamic pomegranate honey reduction is part of this exotic creation.($25.00) It was a work of art and a delight for the palate. The Nicoise Salad was prepared with fresh tuna and Middle East spices. 6 minute eggs topped the creation.($14.00) We demolished both salads. Felipe insisted on bringing the salads first to enjoy and then we were presented with the hot Baladi Eggplant ($11.00) Grilled whole eggplant is topped with tomato heart salsa, Israeli feta, wild oregano roasted garlic and herb tahina. It looked too good to eat and it tasted too good to leave. Hot Portobello Mushroom and Goat Cheese Salad is prepared with layers of spring mix topped with warm Portobello mushrooms in a balsamic garlic olive oil and served with fried goat cheese puffs and cherry tomatoes.($11.00)
Main offerings are varied and creative. We enjoyed watching the works of art being handed to the hungry clients. Risotto is prepared with a mushroom medley, black truffle, asparagus and green pea.($31.00) Organic Grilled Chicken Breast is marinated in five fresh herbs and citrus and served with fingerling potatoes and grilled vegetable skewers in a chianti vinaigrette. A quick stew of black beluga lentils, spinach and concasse tomatoes completes the dish.($32.00)
Seafood Couscous offers a variety of seafood in white wine, saffron, and bisque sauce, served with homemade traditional couscous.($30.00)
The Israeli style Tiramisu completed our feast. We had such a good time.
It may sound like the Leon and Benny show but it is the finest new happening in town. Leon Goldstein hails from Israel but has traveled and lived in many countries before becoming the owner /manager of this chic new establishment.
Benny Cohen is the creative chef behind the exotic food adding an Israeli twist to the gourmet specialties.
I liked everything about this place. Kudos to Leon for designing a functional aesthetic space. This is a huge restaurant. The tables are well spaced. There is room for large parties or tables for 2.The dark wood panels, dark tables and chairs give it a suave elegant look. The washrooms must be visited. State of the art plumbing makes one feel like a special guest. I loved the simplicity. The beautiful wood and décor speaks for itself. One cityscape mural is on the wall at the end of the restaurant. It was so refreshing to see bare walls giving warmth to the establishment.
Benny Cohen likes to cook with fusion spices and the presentations are creative and festive. The portions are very generous. Chef Cohen has even promised to prepare my favorite Israeli dish ‘shoshooka’ on my next visit. Get ready because I am returning.
Our adorable server was Felipe who hails from Columbia and has enjoyed Toronto now for 5 years. He looks like a teenager but was so well versed in the wine menu and the food. I would call this place an inspiration. That is exactly the intention of the management. They wanted to bring something new to the neighborhood.
The artisan bread and three delicious dips start you off with a plus. My friend and I had just been to a depressing film. We wanted an uplifting new experience. We opted for 3 appetizers to share.
The Burrata Salad was prepared with imported soft Italian cheese served with arugula in oregano balsamic vinaigrette. Shaved parmigiano reggiano, heirloom tomatoes and kalamata olives are included. Bruschetta salad glazed with a balsamic pomegranate honey reduction is part of this exotic creation.($25.00) It was a work of art and a delight for the palate. The Nicoise Salad was prepared with fresh tuna and Middle East spices. 6 minute eggs topped the creation.($14.00) We demolished both salads. Felipe insisted on bringing the salads first to enjoy and then we were presented with the hot Baladi Eggplant ($11.00) Grilled whole eggplant is topped with tomato heart salsa, Israeli feta, wild oregano roasted garlic and herb tahina. It looked too good to eat and it tasted too good to leave. Hot Portobello Mushroom and Goat Cheese Salad is prepared with layers of spring mix topped with warm Portobello mushrooms in a balsamic garlic olive oil and served with fried goat cheese puffs and cherry tomatoes.($11.00)
Main offerings are varied and creative. We enjoyed watching the works of art being handed to the hungry clients. Risotto is prepared with a mushroom medley, black truffle, asparagus and green pea.($31.00) Organic Grilled Chicken Breast is marinated in five fresh herbs and citrus and served with fingerling potatoes and grilled vegetable skewers in a chianti vinaigrette. A quick stew of black beluga lentils, spinach and concasse tomatoes completes the dish.($32.00)
Seafood Couscous offers a variety of seafood in white wine, saffron, and bisque sauce, served with homemade traditional couscous.($30.00)
The Israeli style Tiramisu completed our feast. We had such a good time.
Melancholia
Melancholia
My friend and I thoroughly disliked the film. I had to hold her down from leaving. Unfortunately we even made too many nasty comments and the couple in front shushed us up. I did apologize.
Melancholia refers to the state of mind of main character Justine.(Kirsten Dunst) I was not aware that Kirsten Dunst was such a fine actor. We meet her on her wedding day. At first she is gorgeous and all smiling. She and her husband arrive 2 hours late for the reception and everything goes down hill from there. She goes into a melancholic mood and acts very strange. She leaves the reception and wanders around the massive grounds of the castle like estate (her brother-in-law’s home) She drives his golf art around the golf course. She ‘humps’ a young guest on the grounds of the estate. Her new husband even packs his bags and leaves that very evening.
Melancholia also refers to a previously undiscovered planet that is moving into the earth’s radius. The brother-in-law purchases an enormous telescope and also purchases goods to prepare for a disaster.
Justine keeps looking up to the sky and sees a red star. Is this a premonition of disaster? Is her behavior controlled by the terrestrial phenomenon?
The wedding does provide some humor. The father is an older gentleman surrounded by two younger women. The mother is an angry person who shouts out at the reception,” Enjoy it while it lasts. I hate weddings.”
The best man is also Justine’s boss. At one point during the reception she yells at him, “I hate you and your firm. You are a despicable power hungry man.”
Her brother-in-law tries to calm her down and reminds her they had a deal. He paid for all the wedding festivities and she had promised to be happy.
I thought the film was finished until I saw Part 2 appear on the screen. The title was ‘Claire’. (the sister of the bride) The second chapter shows Claire in two ways. She was so loving and attentive to her depressed sister. She went beyond what anyone else would do. We also see her degenerating mentally as the planet Melancholia comes closer to earth. The ending was unexpected and startling.
The saving grace for the film is the magnificent cinematography. Many of the scenes are spectacular in vision. The camera lingers for a long time over the beautiful landscape. The house is like a castle and the grounds are exceptional. The camera shows it all in a slow methodical artistic manner.
The beginning of the film shows many shots that are still like. The camera lingers forever on each character. We see the bride, Justine, in the woods dragging branches that are attached to her gown? Obviously it was a metaphor for what was about to happen. The lengthy pictures were annoying rather than increasing my curiosity of what was to come.
There was one scene of Justine sprawled over a river bank completely nude. I wanted to capture that beautiful image and frame it. The lush greenery behind her emphasized the beauty of her naked body.
Lars von Trier is the controversial director and writer. I needed to talk with him following the film. You may recall he made some pro Nazi comments at the Cannes Film festival. He likes controversy and would probably be happy that many do not like his film. I am not a fan of fantasy.
I didn’t want to see this film about the end of the world. I just wanted the film to end.
My friend and I thoroughly disliked the film. I had to hold her down from leaving. Unfortunately we even made too many nasty comments and the couple in front shushed us up. I did apologize.
Melancholia refers to the state of mind of main character Justine.(Kirsten Dunst) I was not aware that Kirsten Dunst was such a fine actor. We meet her on her wedding day. At first she is gorgeous and all smiling. She and her husband arrive 2 hours late for the reception and everything goes down hill from there. She goes into a melancholic mood and acts very strange. She leaves the reception and wanders around the massive grounds of the castle like estate (her brother-in-law’s home) She drives his golf art around the golf course. She ‘humps’ a young guest on the grounds of the estate. Her new husband even packs his bags and leaves that very evening.
Melancholia also refers to a previously undiscovered planet that is moving into the earth’s radius. The brother-in-law purchases an enormous telescope and also purchases goods to prepare for a disaster.
Justine keeps looking up to the sky and sees a red star. Is this a premonition of disaster? Is her behavior controlled by the terrestrial phenomenon?
The wedding does provide some humor. The father is an older gentleman surrounded by two younger women. The mother is an angry person who shouts out at the reception,” Enjoy it while it lasts. I hate weddings.”
The best man is also Justine’s boss. At one point during the reception she yells at him, “I hate you and your firm. You are a despicable power hungry man.”
Her brother-in-law tries to calm her down and reminds her they had a deal. He paid for all the wedding festivities and she had promised to be happy.
I thought the film was finished until I saw Part 2 appear on the screen. The title was ‘Claire’. (the sister of the bride) The second chapter shows Claire in two ways. She was so loving and attentive to her depressed sister. She went beyond what anyone else would do. We also see her degenerating mentally as the planet Melancholia comes closer to earth. The ending was unexpected and startling.
The saving grace for the film is the magnificent cinematography. Many of the scenes are spectacular in vision. The camera lingers for a long time over the beautiful landscape. The house is like a castle and the grounds are exceptional. The camera shows it all in a slow methodical artistic manner.
The beginning of the film shows many shots that are still like. The camera lingers forever on each character. We see the bride, Justine, in the woods dragging branches that are attached to her gown? Obviously it was a metaphor for what was about to happen. The lengthy pictures were annoying rather than increasing my curiosity of what was to come.
There was one scene of Justine sprawled over a river bank completely nude. I wanted to capture that beautiful image and frame it. The lush greenery behind her emphasized the beauty of her naked body.
Lars von Trier is the controversial director and writer. I needed to talk with him following the film. You may recall he made some pro Nazi comments at the Cannes Film festival. He likes controversy and would probably be happy that many do not like his film. I am not a fan of fantasy.
I didn’t want to see this film about the end of the world. I just wanted the film to end.
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