Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas in the Caribbean

I'm going to enjoy Christmas in the Caribbean this year!

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Unfamiliar Fishes

I've been a fan of Sarah Vowell for some years.  Her latest book, Unfamiliar Fishes, describes the history of American colonization and annexation of Hawai'i.  With her usual sense of humor and social commentary, Ms. Vowell continues her tradition of entertaining and educating in this book.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Aroma - Champaign, IL

Grown-Up Pesto Grilled Cheese served with Chips and Fruit Salsa
Provolone and American cheese slathered with fresh-made pesto on thick bread


Tucked into downtown Champaign, Aroma (118 North Neil Street) is a Latin-inspired cafe offering coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and more. Small tables line the walls while the background music mixes with the conversations of the patrons. Some people just go to sit and read or work on the internet.


Saturday, May 22, 2010

Uncle Tom's Cabin

"So you're the little lady who started this big war."
-attributed to Abraham Lincoln on his first meeting with Mrs. Stowe

Although I've heard of Harriet Beecher Stowe's well-known opus since I was young, I only recently got around to reading it. Three themes are evident in the book: opposition to slavery, belief in God, the loss of children. Stowe coherently creates characters to preach, teach, argue, and promote her positions throughout the book. She doesn't only speak against the ills of slavery in the South, but uses the characters' dialog to point out the hypocrisy of her own Northern neighbors who oppose slavery but do not want to be friends with blacks. She also criticizes the nascent industrial age and capitalism. Speaking through St. Clare, she writes:

"He [a laborer] is as much at the will of his employer as if he were sold to him.
The slave-owner can whip his refractory slave to death, --the capitalist can
starve him to death. As to family security, it is hard to say which is the worst, ---to
have one's children sold, or see them starve to death at home."

How little things have changed! (A parallel argument is made in The Jungle.) The same can be said of the working class in America today. The North Critical Edition (pictured above) provides footnotes contributing to an understanding of the context and nearly 200 pages of historical and contemporary criticism. If you haven't read this book, give it a try. Along with Stowe's historical perspective of the mid-19th century, we can also see how present-day society is reflected in the past and examine the injustices of today. Although the story-telling is quite engaging, the conclusion is a bit contrived as plot lines are brought together with substantial coincidence.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Saturday, May 08, 2010

Jody Maroni's - San Francisco, CA

Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom - Home of the Haut Dog - is another stand in the food court of Westfield San Francisco Centre. (See previous post for another food court option.) Here is what they say about themselves:

When Jody Maroni started the sausage revolution, there was no such thing as gourmet sausage, no Chicken Apple sausage with Sherry, no Yucatan with Cilantro or Smoked Pomegranate Sausage. Sausage was basic and boring and truly unimaginative. Jody Maroni changed all of that.

Born at the carnival known as the Venice Beach Boardwalk, Jody Maroni, the Sausage King, has been hawking his handmade family recipe gourmet sausages since the Summer of ’79 when he first fired up his barbecue and delighted all who passed by with his constant banter and deliciously unusual concoctions. He called them “haut dogs” because they were finer and fancier than any other sausage on the planet, and he made them with chicken and duck and lamb and pork and added in all kinds of natural flavorings such as cilantro, oranges, tangerines, figs, corn and apples. Some of them even had beer or tequila for additional flavor and moisture. He gave them names of the places he had visited or dreamed about like Yucatan, Morocco, Bombay, Louisiana and Cuba.

Saturday, May 01, 2010

Grant Avenue, San Francisco

Heart of Chinatown

San Francisco is home to the oldest Chinatown in North America and the largest Chinese community outside Asia. It is a "city within a city" with hospitals, banks, shops, and restaurants. It is also a major tourist site for visitors to the Bay Area. The area is commemorated in the song "Grant Avenue" from Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical, Flower Drum Song.


Saturday, April 24, 2010

Melt - San Francisco, CA

Savory - Uptown: turkey, pesto, jack cheese with a hint of lemon juice
(ordered without avocado or tomato) & salad
Sweet - Strawberry Royale: fresh strawberries, bananas, chocolate (or nutella), whipped cream

An upscale food court is located in the basement of the Westfield San Francisco Centre. (Not your usual mall food court since food is served on real plates and no plastic forks or paper cups are to be found here!) Melt Gelato & Crepe Cafe is one of the several food stands. On a business trip to SF several months ago I had to make two trips to Melt - once for savory and once for sweet crepes. I never tried the gelato so I can't make a recommendation. I can say, however, that the sweet crepes were something I'd get again. It is also fun to watch the chef make the crepes while you wait.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Sarah Hogan

I heard this song performed by Growling Old Men - a Montana-based acoustic bluegrass duo - on Prairie Home Companion. A youtube search offered the song performed by Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike. As someone commented on youtube: "A mournful song that doesn't sound like one. Poor Sarah..."

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Brasa - Minneapolis, MN

Who knew dining in a converted gas station could taste good? Brasa: Premium Rotisserie (600 E. Hennepin Ave.) serves "comfort food inspired by the Creole cooking traditions of the Americas & Caribbean." Although prices may be a little more than you would expect given the relaxed atmosphere, the food I've ordered there is exceptional. If you have the inkling to eat pulled pork or chicken, braised beef, cornbread, collards, grits, beans, or plantains, this is the place to be!
Pulled Pork Sandwich with Yams & Andouille

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Peoria, IL

The Peoria area is the third largest metropolitan area in the state of Illinois (nearly 400,000 residents). The city of Peoria itself (pop. 114,000) is Illinois' sixth largest city. Peoria is home to the Caterpillar corporation world headquarters, Bradley University, and minor league teams for baseball and hockey.

Downtown Peoria is located along the Illinois River. A mix of residential, business, retail, and education buildings rise from the city streets. It feels like a downtown from the history books that continues to struggle to find its niche in the 21st century.
The 14-story Pere Marquette Hotel was built in 1926.

Lobby of the Pere Marquette

Saturday, March 27, 2010

The Speakeasy - Janesville, WI

The Speakeasy (19 North High Street) rewards diners with good food and an interesting atmosphere. Taking cues from the name, the interior has throwbacks to the days of prohibition. There is a large bar in the center of the old warehouse-style building with booths and tables for diners on the periphery. Private dining rooms are also available. Worn hard wood floors, exposed ductwork, and brick walls contribute to the atmosphere. The dinner menu consists of an eclectic mix of pasta, steaks, burgers, and other meat and seafood entrées.
Chicken & Sweet Potato Chowder

Pretzel Crusted Salmon with Dijon Cream Sauce
and (more!) Sweet Potatoes

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Billy Elliot

I found the soundtrack to Billy Elliot: The Musical in the summer of 2006. The show had opened about a year previous in London. I purchased the CD and found the music of Elton John fit well with Lee Hall's adaptation of his 2000 movie. The show opened on Broadway in the fall of 2008. A second American show opened in Chicago this week. I attended a performance during the first week it played in Chicago. I thought it lived up to the expectations - in fact, it is a show I'd like to see again.

The musical revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes. The story of his personal struggle and fulfillment are balanced against a counter-story of family and community strife caused by the UK miners' strike (1984–1985) in County Durham. Hall's screenplay was inspired in part by A. J. Cronin's novel, The Stars Look Down, and the musical's opening song is an homage.


Saturday, March 13, 2010

Bait & Switch

Having read Barbara Ehrenreich's earlier book on trying to get by in America by working service jobs, I was eager to see what else she had to offer. Bait & Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream turned out to be a disappointment. In this book, Ehrenreich goes "undercover" and attempts to get a job in "corporate" America. The story she tells of employment coaching, job fairs, networking socials, and resume webposting is somewhat engaging. But she never seems to really be serious about getting a job for which she is not entirely qualified to do. As a result, the portrayal of her failed job search seems somewhat expected. She highlights the dejection of rejection, the deception of efforts put into dead-end seminars and coaching experiences. She conclude the book with what seems like typical talking points of how corporations neglect the humanity of employees.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

Wishbone - Chicago, IL

Wishbone (locations in West Loop - 1001 W. Washington Blvd.; Northside - 3300 N. Lincoln Ave.; Berwyn - 6611 W. Roosevelt Rd.) specializes in "Southern Reconstruction Cooking" (according to their website). I call it "tasty comfort food." Breakfasts are hardy; Po' boys and salads are served for lunch. Dinners contain the usual southern selections such as blackened chicken and fish, catfish, crab cakes, crawfish, black-eyed peas, collard greens, sweet potato, and fried chicken. The West Loop location is just down the street from Oprah's Harpo studio. The Northside location is nestled in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The newest location, in Berwyn, is along a non-descript somewhat gritty section of Roosevelt.
Turkey dinner with sides of green beans and sweet potatoes with nuts.

Colorful interior of Northside location.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

The dog says how

Minnesota author, Kevin Kling, makes an earnest attempt in his first book of essays. The stories alternate between the mundane and the uninspired. Does Publishers Weekly agree?:

A playwright and regular contributor to the popular newsmagazine-style NPR show "All Things Considered," Kling hems close to his wry on-air delivery in these 29 short essays, ruminating on a variety of topics including a life-altering motorcycle accident, his congenital arm disability and a favorite dog.

Maybe it is better when read by the author (check below). I don't think so. His juxtaposition of present tense and past tense in some essays is disconcerting. Through the course of the book, one does gain a certain empathy for his condition (congenital and accidental disability). It is also somewhat comforting to read of familiar places in Minnesota. That is not enough, however, to convince me to read his second book. Anyone want to borrow this one?

Saturday, February 20, 2010

IKEA

A trip to IKEA is never complete without stopping at the restaurant and ordering Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, and lingonberries. The server on this visit was a bit careless with the gravy!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Little House on the Prairie

After reading the "Little House" books and visiting some of the Laura Ingalls Wilder sites (in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Missouri) as a kid, I was intrigued when I heard about a musical based on the series. First produced at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis in 2008, the show then began a limited tour. (I saw it in Madison, WI.) Melissa Gilbert, who starred as Laura in the television series, played the role of "Ma." While the show was enjoyable, entertaining, and well done, it is not a show I will rush to see again in the near future. The music evokes the prairies, but there are no show-stoppers. I didn't notice anyone leaving the theater humming the tunes.

Saturday, February 06, 2010

erwin - Chicago, IL

Proprietors Cathy & Erwin Drechsler have created a comfortable and tasty experience at erwin: an american cafe and bar (2925 N Halsted). Although it can be difficult to find a place without a wait for weekend brunch there were spaces available. Often this is a bad sign, but the food was standard breakfast food and the service was great. Definitely worth a second visit!
scrambled eggs with country potatoes, multi-grain toast and basil sausage

Saturday, January 30, 2010

I'm Yours

I had heard of Jason Mraz (he's referenced in a previous post), but I didn't know any of his music. Then I heard a song on the radio and wondered who sang it. It turns out it was Jason Mraz! Here's the song:

At the same time, the viral video below came to my attention.


Saturday, January 23, 2010

Cocomero - Champaign, IL

Housed in the former location of Moonstruck Chocolate, Cocomero (709 S. Wright St.) is a hit with the Campustown crowd. It was even very busy on a brisk fall day (yes, I know this post is delayed!). A sign informs you "how to cocomero":
How to Cocomero:
1. Grab a cup
2. Swirl your own Yogurt
3. Add your own toppings
4. Weigh and pay

I selected samples of four different flavors of yogurt and covered them goodies!
The line wraps around the store and most of the seats by the tables and the bar by the window were filled. More patrons gathered in the cozy second level that overlooks the campus.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Tinsel

Hank Stuever's new book, Tinsel: A Search for America's Christmas Present, is an intriguing account of his time spent with three families in Frisco, Texas (an affluent exurb of Dallas). I listened to the audio book in my car and found that I had to wait in the car several times after reaching my destination because I wanted to find out what was to happen next. Mostly affectionate, sometimes mocking, Stuever documents the history and myth, consumerism, frenzy, and loyalty people have toward the winter holiday.

  • Tammie Parnell, a gated-community wife and supermom who runs her own Christmas decorating business. She charges her clients up to $1,000 a day to put up their artificial trees, garland and other trinkets, even as it distracts her from the cozy, perfect, family holiday she envisions.
  • Jeff and Bridgette Trykoski, who own that house every community has, the one with cars lined up around the block to see the lights display, which, at Jeff and Bridgette's place, dance in time to music. Now Jeff has been hired to create a display three times as big at Frisco's newly developed town square. But what's life like inside the brightest house in town?
  • Caroll Cavazos, a hardworking single mom who struggles stay upbeat during the production of her megachurch's Christmas pageant, focusing on the "reason for the season" even as she finds herself navigating the throngs at Best Buy at the Black Friday sales.

Saturday, January 09, 2010

Walnut Room - Chicago, IL

Get a classic dining experience at the Walnut Room in Macy's on State (111 N State). Open since 1907, this is one of Chicago's oldest restaurants. The restaurant is on the 7th floor; shoppers on the 8th floor can look down to the diners below.


Sit beside a 17-foot high marble fountain.

Saturday, January 02, 2010

Happy 2010!

News Highlights from the Past Decade (from wikipedia)

2000

2001



2002

  • Euro replaces the currencies of 12 of the EU's 15 members.
  • October 12, 2002 - 2002 Bali bombings - Islamist terrorists bomb nightclubs in Bali, killing 202 people



2003

  • February -March 2003 - A major SARS outbreak takes place in China and spreads through Russia, and Canada. Threats of SARS entering the United States were verified, but no SARS outbreak took place.
  • February 1, 2003 - Space Shuttle Columbia breaks up on re-entry to Earth on STS-107, killing all seven occupants.
  • April 9, 2003 - U.S. forces seize control of Baghdad, ending the regime of Saddam Hussein, during the Iraq War
  • December 14, 2003 - Saddam Hussein was captured.


2004


2005



2006

  • October 9, 2006 - North Korea performs its first successful nuclear test.
  • December 30, 2006 - Saddam Hussein is executed after 2 lengthy trials.


2007

  • December 27, 2007 - Benazir Bhutto is assassinated in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, approximately 2 weeks before a national election in which she was favored to be elected president of Pakistan.

2008


2009