One cannot escape one’s upbringing. I’m not exactly sure how the message was conveyed, but we simply never complained about food or beverage. Even if it was terrible.
It's 5:00AM on this Wednesday morning when I made coffee and turned on the desktop and am reading Garrison Keillor. I can actually hear this man's voice and all voice structure with inflections, and I can see facial gestures. I'm feeling privileged to have actually seen this person in person and spent countless hours listening to his humor and witnessing the extraordinary talent he shares. As Garrison did early in the piece, I'll only touch on the day's events in a small way. "Just what the heck are we thinking, those are newborns".
For breakfast I cooked vegan sausages and whole cranberries. My dog Andy wanted a taste and I believe he enjoyed the sausages, not so much the cranberries. I boiled water for my ginger lemon tea and was good to go. And then I laughed at the woman who could get no satisfaction from her brew/brews.
Two cannibals are taking a taste from the pot, and one says, “this is clown tastes funny!” Reviews are funny beasts ant best, rather make my own experience real…and thinking Marin, or nearby, the service industry builds in the prices for those disenchanted by the lack of perceived perfection. Percolator coffee is the best…let the hot water go through a ground a few times and really bring on the real coffee flavor! Of course the truly best is the hybrid of cowboy coffee, well boiled, which is then poured through a filter! Best buzz and takes the hair off too. My criteria is that it’s done before I get out of bed…set the timer. And roasted by Pete’s.
Your description of the waiters reminded me of dining at El Tovar, on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Not only were the waiters all men, but they seemed tremendously anxious to please! Of course, in those settings, the urge to leave an excessive tip was also strong – which, I’m pretty certain, they appreciated! For those of us who are “Ordinary Hicks,” having an eating experience where the staff are “Putting on the Dog!” can be memorable! And, to ask whether the pinon nuts were hand gathered by well-paid Native Americans would seem a bit “Over the Top!” As someone who occasionally enjoys the “ambiance” of a “Fine Dining Experience,” it seems to me that the whole package goes together. “Sit Back and Let It Happen!” is what I might suggest to your finicky companion!
Your mention of "fine dining" reminds me of a restaurant in a small town where my family used to live. The memory of a sign they had in their window on certain days still makes my family laugh; it said, "Fine dining not available today."
Please - Carefully ask for what you wish. Don't become enamored with the type of folks who are to snooty to be greatful when someone cares enough to feed them overpriced food. The jackass will eat when it gets hungry and not complain about the freshness of the oats. Folks like that should be experienced in small doses and infrequently. You should pity. the fool.
Keep it real and down to earth where humility originates.
Luckily, the lady wasn’t in Manhattan. When my wife told a waiter at Sarah Beth’s kitchen the coffee wasn’t hot enough , the next cup was excruciatingly hot. Nobody in NYC suffers fools at all, much less gladly.
That doesn't sound like a case of not "suffering fools" gladly (and are you calling your wife a fool for wanting her coffee to be hot?). That just sounds mean.
We two naive Minnesotans, when venturing into the Big Apple in the early 60s and not being heavy coffee drinkers, found NYC coffee too bitter (accused them of using chicory). Ordinarily we drank coffee black but NYC coffee needed some kind of whitener (no sugar!). After Princeton grad school, my first job was in Allentown PA, 75 miles west of NYC. We were up there house hunting on a weekend before my orals and had breakfast at the Woolworths counter. Ordered our coffee, reached for the cream pitcher, but paused and tasted our coffee. Quite decent, no cream needed. Evidently 75 miles away was enough to get good coffee.
Different experience when visiting France in '94. French butter and coffee is out of this world. Their coffee is rich but not bitter, they must use Arabic coffee.
You are coming to Burlington, VT and we have scored orchestra tickets using the code your notice provided!!! First, in your post to the host, you tell my wicked wit Yankee, quiet, gentle and sweet husband (Ed Dale) that he is a funny man -- and trust me he felt there is no higher praise he could have received ever -- and now we will again get to see you perform in person. Life is indeed good. Some suggestions regarding Burlington. Easy walking distance from the Flynn theater to pedestrian Church Street (go out the front door of the Flynn, turn right and Church St. is right there) are three restaurants we'd recommend: Istanbul Kabob House, declared authentic Turkish by our niece's Syrian husband and just delicious by the rest of us; Honey Road, Mediterranean tapas and wine; and Pascolo Ristorante, yummy Italian. If they have begun sailing trips out on Lake Champlain, go with Whistling Man, small boats that can hold a dozen people, handled by knowledgeable and fun sailors. The sunset sails are our favorite. And if you want a couple of locals to guide you about, we'd be honored. Warmly, Shirley Bergert (vtsaje@gmail.com).
One cannot escape one’s upbringing. I’m not exactly sure how the message was conveyed, but we simply never complained about food or beverage. Even if it was terrible.
Those of us who retired from the military thrive on simple fare without questions.
It's 5:00AM on this Wednesday morning when I made coffee and turned on the desktop and am reading Garrison Keillor. I can actually hear this man's voice and all voice structure with inflections, and I can see facial gestures. I'm feeling privileged to have actually seen this person in person and spent countless hours listening to his humor and witnessing the extraordinary talent he shares. As Garrison did early in the piece, I'll only touch on the day's events in a small way. "Just what the heck are we thinking, those are newborns".
“Comes from a factory in Hoboken” ?? I bet all of the factories there have been gentrified into high-class housing, with exposed brick walls.
There's a lot of outrageous going on but thankfully none from you GK. Your contribution is just what we need.
You give me a giggle every day--especially today! From one coffee drinking Minnesotan to another, keep it up!
For breakfast I cooked vegan sausages and whole cranberries. My dog Andy wanted a taste and I believe he enjoyed the sausages, not so much the cranberries. I boiled water for my ginger lemon tea and was good to go. And then I laughed at the woman who could get no satisfaction from her brew/brews.
Entitlement begins with e, as does easy does it.
I still admire her. Call it bravery, call it chutzpah, she said what she thought and did it politely.
Did she know you occasionally write? And that there are people who occasionally still read?
Your brand of humor, opinions, outlook is just what I like in the morning, even before the daily paper.
Two cannibals are taking a taste from the pot, and one says, “this is clown tastes funny!” Reviews are funny beasts ant best, rather make my own experience real…and thinking Marin, or nearby, the service industry builds in the prices for those disenchanted by the lack of perceived perfection. Percolator coffee is the best…let the hot water go through a ground a few times and really bring on the real coffee flavor! Of course the truly best is the hybrid of cowboy coffee, well boiled, which is then poured through a filter! Best buzz and takes the hair off too. My criteria is that it’s done before I get out of bed…set the timer. And roasted by Pete’s.
Got it. Thanks.
Your description of the waiters reminded me of dining at El Tovar, on the rim of the Grand Canyon. Not only were the waiters all men, but they seemed tremendously anxious to please! Of course, in those settings, the urge to leave an excessive tip was also strong – which, I’m pretty certain, they appreciated! For those of us who are “Ordinary Hicks,” having an eating experience where the staff are “Putting on the Dog!” can be memorable! And, to ask whether the pinon nuts were hand gathered by well-paid Native Americans would seem a bit “Over the Top!” As someone who occasionally enjoys the “ambiance” of a “Fine Dining Experience,” it seems to me that the whole package goes together. “Sit Back and Let It Happen!” is what I might suggest to your finicky companion!
Your mention of "fine dining" reminds me of a restaurant in a small town where my family used to live. The memory of a sign they had in their window on certain days still makes my family laugh; it said, "Fine dining not available today."
Well, I, for one, would like to know who this woman is. I'd settle for who she thinks she is.
She's very very funny, I'll say that.
Garrison,
Please - Carefully ask for what you wish. Don't become enamored with the type of folks who are to snooty to be greatful when someone cares enough to feed them overpriced food. The jackass will eat when it gets hungry and not complain about the freshness of the oats. Folks like that should be experienced in small doses and infrequently. You should pity. the fool.
Keep it real and down to earth where humility originates.
Sincerely,
ElGuapo Three Sticks
Owasso, Oklahoma
From the Land of Will Rogers,
The Bard Refreshing
One of your funniest columns. Loved it!
Bold, you say. I'm not sure. What will people think of me?
Luckily, the lady wasn’t in Manhattan. When my wife told a waiter at Sarah Beth’s kitchen the coffee wasn’t hot enough , the next cup was excruciatingly hot. Nobody in NYC suffers fools at all, much less gladly.
That doesn't sound like a case of not "suffering fools" gladly (and are you calling your wife a fool for wanting her coffee to be hot?). That just sounds mean.
At some point that hot cup of coffee will be just right.
We two naive Minnesotans, when venturing into the Big Apple in the early 60s and not being heavy coffee drinkers, found NYC coffee too bitter (accused them of using chicory). Ordinarily we drank coffee black but NYC coffee needed some kind of whitener (no sugar!). After Princeton grad school, my first job was in Allentown PA, 75 miles west of NYC. We were up there house hunting on a weekend before my orals and had breakfast at the Woolworths counter. Ordered our coffee, reached for the cream pitcher, but paused and tasted our coffee. Quite decent, no cream needed. Evidently 75 miles away was enough to get good coffee.
Different experience when visiting France in '94. French butter and coffee is out of this world. Their coffee is rich but not bitter, they must use Arabic coffee.
You are coming to Burlington, VT and we have scored orchestra tickets using the code your notice provided!!! First, in your post to the host, you tell my wicked wit Yankee, quiet, gentle and sweet husband (Ed Dale) that he is a funny man -- and trust me he felt there is no higher praise he could have received ever -- and now we will again get to see you perform in person. Life is indeed good. Some suggestions regarding Burlington. Easy walking distance from the Flynn theater to pedestrian Church Street (go out the front door of the Flynn, turn right and Church St. is right there) are three restaurants we'd recommend: Istanbul Kabob House, declared authentic Turkish by our niece's Syrian husband and just delicious by the rest of us; Honey Road, Mediterranean tapas and wine; and Pascolo Ristorante, yummy Italian. If they have begun sailing trips out on Lake Champlain, go with Whistling Man, small boats that can hold a dozen people, handled by knowledgeable and fun sailors. The sunset sails are our favorite. And if you want a couple of locals to guide you about, we'd be honored. Warmly, Shirley Bergert (vtsaje@gmail.com).
The mention of kabobs reminds me of an Ole and Lena joke but I don'tt think I'll try it in Burlington. I think of VT as an HQ of PC. No? Wrong?