Month: January 2008

Happy 2008 — upgrade & new look

Happy 2008 — upgrade & new look

Happy New Year, everyone! 2008 started quietly for Wendy & me. We attended a party at our friend Tracy’s house to ring in the new year with our closest friends. Then, for the next couple days, we laid low hanging around the house and enjoying…

Iron Horse Inn closed

Iron Horse Inn closed

I learned recently that the IRON HORSE INN, long a fixture in the Glendale restaurant scene, has closed its doors. I’ve got mixed feelings about this closure. We’ve spent many enjoyable evenings at the Iron Horse over the last 5+ years, from the time we…

System Downtime — January 9, 2008

System Downtime — January 9, 2008

Some time during the day on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, the webserver’s power supply stopped functioning and the site was unavailable.

Fortunately, I had a spare power supply at the house and was able to quickly repair the system and get us back online.

I apologize for the unexpected downtime!

READING: The Book of Revelation

READING: The Book of Revelation

I am currently reading The Book of Revelation by Rupert Thomson. The jacket and reviews on Amazon.COM make it sound like an interesting, off-beat book, so I am curious to see how it develops. The first several chapters have captured my attention already. I hope…

01/08/2008 Wine Dinner at Midwest Culinary Institute

01/08/2008 Wine Dinner at Midwest Culinary Institute

The Summit Room at Midwest Culinary Institute Sensational Wine Dinner January 8, 2008 Chef Alan Neace Wine pairings by Chef Neace & Laura Landoll, Vintage Wine Distributors. Wine commentary, below, provided by Laura Landoll. Champagne Welcome Smoke-Roasted Corn Chowder with Petite Blue Crab and Shrimp-filled…

HAPPY MOUTH — January, 2008

HAPPY MOUTH — January, 2008

On January 19, 2008, members of the Happy Mouth Supper Club met (our first meeting of 2008!) for dinner at Bouquet in Covington Kentucky, which was Angel’s pick. Bouquet is a nice little wine bar and restaurant that opened December 1, 2007 and is developing their big ideas for what the place should be as time and money allows. Chef/owner Stephen Williams, formerly sous chef at Otto’s next door, has opened the intimate space to focus on wine and food, and does well on both counts.

Holly, Jay, Wendy, and I arrived at Bouquet early (after catching an Omnimax showing of SEA MONSTERS at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal) for a glass of wine and an appetizer of crab cakes. Slowly, the rest of our large party (13 of us) arrived, and our evening kicked off with soup (excellent butternut squash soup, served with fresh crusty bread), salads, then entrees such as their salmon, lamb, and various steak selections. Everything was well-prepared and served appropriately seasoned. The service staff was knowledgable and present without being overbearing. Water glasses were filled (and re-filled (we’re a thirsty bunch!)) as necessary, and it was no problem at all for our check to be split (we told them ahead of ordering, for which they seemed grateful). The music was appropriate and played at a suitable volume that made conversation easy. The room, which was empty when we arrived, was filled by the time our dinner was in full swing. Bouquet accepts reservations, and it seems like a good idea to secure them before heading down there.

Stephen Williams is a recent graduate of the Midwest Culinary Institute, so my wishes for his success are doubled (at least!).

Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

“Whatever there is of God and goodness in the Universe, it must work itself out and express itself through us. We cannot stand aside and let God do it.” — Albert Einstein