Veritas Supper Club

Earlier this week, the first ever Veritas Supper Club was held. I enjoyed it so much. Chef Randall Copeland of Restaurant Ava in Rockwall prepared the food at Veritas. Since Veritas does not have a kitchen, he prepared all of it on portable burners. And the food was amazing. Veritas offered by the glass and bottle discounts for the event. I opted for BTG. I am not sure I have the menu exactly right, but it's pretty close. I could go on and on about each course, but let me just say that every single bite of everything was lick-your-plate delicious - so much so that I am going out to Rockwall for dinner Tuesday night. (And I rarely break the 635 bubble.)
First Course
Granny Smith apple and Prairie Breeze white cheddar fritter with Tassione Farms mixed greens, apple fennel salad and house made apple butter. Bradley recommended the Kung Fu Girl Riesling, which was a good match.
Second Course
Scallop with malted butternut squash, lardons, mushrooms - I think there was some black truffle and some brussels sprouts leaves going on here too. I can't eat scallops, so Chef made me a plate with all the other stuff and it was great. I paired my standby Louis Perdrier Brut.
Third Course
Pan seared beef tenderloin that was unbelievably tender. I cannot believe I can recall the sauce. I had a French red with the beef.
Fourth Course
Lemon Honey Cake with berries and ginger ice cream, paired with a tawny port. I think it was Taylor Fladgate 10 year old. (If I am going to start blogging again, I guess I need to pay better attention.)
It was really, ridiculously good. I am so glad to have attended the inaugural event and look forward to future ones. I also highly recommend Chef Copeland's food. I look forward to checking it out at Restaurant Ava.

Gratitude Attitude (Flip It)

"Accentuate the positive."

"Turn that frown upside down."

The past couple of days I have been trying to turn my negative thoughts into something positive. More specifically, I am trying to find something to be thankful for every time I want to complain. For example, I was bummed by all the laundry I needed to do yesterday. I hate doing laundry. So I focused on how wonderful my huge, fluffy towels are and how fortunate I am to have soft, high-thread-count sheets. I am thankful I have a washer and dryer and don't have to go to a laundromat. On a grander scale, I am thankful that I have plenty to wear and that I have constant access to electricity and clean running water. The laundry went so quickly and was much less unpleasant than usual.

"I have so many errands to run." (FLIP IT) "I am thankful I have a car."

"This brief is so long." (FLIP IT) "I am thankful my parents really focused me on reading as a child."

You get the idea.

I think this effort stems from a couple of different sources. I was inspired by JK's post on facebook and have begun posting something I am thankful for each day. I also think this desire to be focused on the positive goes back to some of the things I said in my earlier post about Freddy. I really want to remain inspired and intentional.

Right now I am thankful to be laying on the loveseat by an open window, using my wireless Internet with my kitty Casey by my side. I have got it good and I don't want to forget it.

Dallas Arts District - First Impression

I took Mom to see A Midsummer Nights Dream at the Wyly Theater last night. We arrived in the area quite early because I was unsure of where to park. Mom needs handicapped parking, or at least very close parking, and the websites and the Dallas Theater Box office were no help whatsoever. Fortunately, we got there early enough to park on the street for free - woo hoo! Since I had read parking would be $15, that meant we had time and cash for some wine.

The first time I ate at One Arts Plaza, amidst the dust of construction, I knew that it would be a great scene on production nights. It was. We sat outside at Dali and each had a glass of wine (Chalone Chardonnay and J Cuvee). Folks were sitting outside all the restaurants and a band was playing outside near the entrance of the main building. The lighting was nice. The weather was perfect. They have a little shuttle - like a long golf cart - that runs folks among the venues for free. I'm not sure where all it goes, but one couple on the shuttle with us was going from One Arts Plaza to the Fairmont. That is a good addition in our city that does not lend itself to getting anywhere without a car. (But hopefully we that situation is improving.)

Then we got to the theater. Hm. Don't go if it is raining. The entrance is at the lowest level of the building, one floor below ground, down a slope of about 30 degrees or so. There are no descending stairs. The ramp is reportedly 167 feet wide at its widest point, yet the only hand rail in along the far west wall of the building. Can you imagine when we have the Dallas monsoon season such as we did much of last month? I will be shocked if the lobby does not flood and perhaps more shocked if no patrons are injured trying to get down the ramp. Speaking of injury, Mom's first comment was, "It's not very accessible". It's definitely barrier free, but if you have any limitations it's a tough place to get in and out of. If anyone loses control of a wheelchair at the top of that slope, they are probably going into the plate glass window of the lobby. Yikes.

Inside it's an intentionally stark place, but the performance certainly wasn't. MND was done with contemporary clothing and music. Along with the professional actors, some performers came from the Booker T. Washington Arts Magnet down the block. It was young and fun. Of course, Bottom can be tiresome no matter that setting. Most reviews I have heard thus far praised the portrayal of Bottom by Chamblee Ferguson. He wore us out, but I think that is an accurate portryal of Bottom. Seriously, Bottom is annoying! I personally fancied Helena - loved her performance! - and Oberon and Titiana - he was sexy and she was passionate. The cast interacted with the audience quite a bit. I even got to dance in the audience and onstage with Peter Quince! And Snug the joiner sat with Mom for a bit.

On a side note, we had dinner at Angelo's in Lakewood. I never would have picked it, but Mom really wanted to go there. I was pleasantly surprised - very cheerful service, good Caesar, good manicotti. I have always like their marinara. Mom loved exactly what she went there for Frutti di Mare. A few months back, Angleo's got a really poor score from the health department. Upon reinspection, it was tremendously improved. But I am leery of a place that lets things get bad in the first place. I hope they keep things up. It is a kitschy neighborhood spot.

All in all in was a good time.

Evaluating Mourning - Mourning a Friend

My friend Freddy died this week. I question myself even as I write "my friend". Perhaps he was simply a close acquaintance. But he felt like a friend. There isn't really anything I can say about him that has not been said in the past three days my many, many people. I am struck by how many people use the same words to describe him - beautiful, welcoming, polite, genuine, vibrant and friend. And everyone mentions that smile.

Someone posted on Facebook, "Freddie had a unique gift for making every other person feel quite special." That really says it all. That gift is why I call him friend. I miss him.

Reading what so many have said about Freddy and thinking about how special he always made me feel challenges me and inspires me. Thinking of Freddy inspires me to be better, happier and more intentional.

Peace and love to you Freddy. Please watch over me, and all of your friends, and continue to inspire me.

March 26 1985 - November 3 2009

Urbano Cafe

I almost never post here anymore, so there probably isn't anyone reading. But if you read this, go eat at Urbano on Fitzhugh in Old East Dallas, right behind Jimmy's. I have eaten dinner there twice and lunch once. Love it. It's BYOB. I have had a lovely server both times at dinner. If your reservation is late, prepare to wait, but be advised there isn't anywhere to wait inside. It can get noisy when busy because it is tiny (9 tables). It has a good vibe and good food. Make a reservation for dinner. They are open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday and for lunch on weekdays. Be sure to check out the chalk board which is jam packed with good stuff. Yummy yum yum.

Buon appetito!