DIShGo

39 minutes ago, DonRocks said:

DIShGo, I don't know whether you agree with me or not, but the town of Napa itself, while nice, isn't *that* nice, and if you're going to see the wineries, you shouldn't feel any special need to stay in Napa proper. I think Yountville is more charming, and in an old-fashioned, rural, sort-of way, Sonoma is just as charming (albeit perhaps a bit out of the way). What do you think? I think once you get into wine country, hotels become very poor values. 

Oh, and make sure you *don't* take the wine train.

Yes, I agree with you, Don. I think Yountville is the most desirable location, with both a charming town, and close proximity to good wineries, restaurants and shops. But you pay for that experience. You might want to check availability at the Silverado Resort and Spa. It is close to a lot of popular wineries and has different options ranging from traditional rooms to cottages. Napa is a better value and it is still very close to great restaurants and wineries. St. Helena is quite charming, and Sonoma has a delightful square. A friend stayed at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and liked it.

If you want to venture into Sonoma County, there is Healdsburg and Glen Ellen. My brother rented a beautiful home with several couples in a wooded area near Glen Ellen. But you are getting off of the beaten path up there, and away from what is traditionally thought of as a visit to the Napa Valley Wine Country.

Check out the Napa River Inn. It is a charming hotel in a great location in downtown Napa. Friends of mine who have stayed there have been pleased. There is a wonderful restaurant, Celadon, next door, and a lot of things to do and places to dine within walking distance. Andaz Napa is a downtown Hyatt. I don't know much about it, but it looks nice and is in a good location.

There are some really nice, high-end hotels in Yountville, but most of them are quite pricey. Villagio Inn and Spa is very nice, and it might be in your price range for that time of year.

In St. Helena you could try The Harvest Inn. St. Helena has a charming downtown and is close to a lot of good wineries. It is about a 30 minute drive from Napa. 

There are some movies that are so bad, they are good. "Five,  isn't one of them.  "Five" is simply bad. It is a low-budget film that looks like one. Writer, producer and director Arch Obolor used recent graduates from the University of Southern California film school as his crew, and it shows.

Oboler's own home, an unusual Frank Lloyd Wright design, is the setting for most of the film. This interesting house is the highlight of the movie, for me.

Five is the number of people remaining on earth following an atomic bomb disaster. It has been written that this film is the first to deal with a post-apocalyptic world, which makes watching it seem less like a complete waste of time.

There are huge holes in the implausible plot. The actors seem to have been given very little direction. There is one woman remaining at the end of the world, and four men. Two handsome guys fight for the hand of this mother-to-be, who is committed to learning if her husband survived. She has the personality of a rock, yet the men all want her. I suppose that is what happens when you are the last woman on earth.

The other characters are stereotypes. There is one funny scene--the only time "Five" crosses over into the so-bad-it-is-good category--where the evil Russian runs away, bumping into and nearly toppling a large, supposedly solid outdoor mailbox.

There is another scene, involving the mother and her child, that was almost good. But one scene a movie does not make. Unless you are interested in the evolution of post apocalyptic films, I would suggest skipping this one.

I really enjoyed "Peyton Place." I was expecting something more tawdry--a "Valley of the Dolls" meets "The Stepford Wives," or something along those lines. I was pleasantlly surprised by this film.

The cinematography was stunning. It made me want to know where the movie was filmed, and it made me want to go there. The story begins in the early 1940s, an era that I love. I found myself thinking of my mother, who was 20 years old in 1941, just two years older than the characters in the film. I have photographs of my mom dressed like Allison, wearing saddle shoes with her below-the-knee fitted dress.

"Peyton Place" reminds me of my hometown. I grew up in a small, Mayberry-like community in Southern Illinois. Everyone knew everyone else's business, and parents took it upon themselves to watch out for other people's kids, whether we liked it or not.

I suppose the subject matter of "Peyton Place" was quite racy for its day, but by today's standards, there's nothing shocking. It is like a soap opera in that it involves beautiful people, scandal and love. But the acting, the storyline and the character development put it in a different category. I can't speak for the "Peyton Place" television show, which may or may not have been more like a soap.

Thanks, Don, for recommending this film. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.

Casey Affleck's opening monologue on last night's SNL where he jokes about how "Manchester by the Sea" is "a testament to how sad a movie can be."

2 hours ago, DonRocks said:

This is a vivid and very descriptive piece of criticism - I can picture *exactly* what this scene is like (not knowing anything about it), and I *hate* things like this - they are so obnoxious and manipulative, and they never work (at least not on me). This alone makes me not want to see the film.

This isn't something I usually notice. Generally, I allow myself to get swept up in the story, music and all, and find myself rummaging through my purse for some hankies. So for me to notice this, it had to be over the top. 

When I first heard that a film about David Foster Wallace was being made, I was thrilled. Then I began reading articles about how his widow did not support "The End of the Tour." In the articles, she speculated that Wallace, who disliked the spotlight, would not have wanted a film to be made about him. That made sense to me, so, on principle, I avoided seeing it.

Several months later, when the movie came out on video, a friend who is a Wallace fan and one of the few people I know who has also read "Infinite Jest," urged me to see it. Curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to look for it online. It was available to stream for free, so I decided, why not?

I enjoyed "The End of the Tour" very much. At first, I was put off by Jason Segel playing Wallace. The actor, well known for such comedies as "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "I Love You, Man," seemed oddly cast to me. As I watched the film, however, my impression changed. I think Segel did an excellent job capturing Wallace's quiet spirit. He became the author to me, and I found his portrayal touching and believable. 

The film is the story of the five-day interview between Rolling Stone reporter and novelist David Lipsky, played by Jesse Eisenberg, and Wallace, which takes place right after the 1996 publication of "Infinite Jest." The article was never published, but is based on Lipsky's memoir, "Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself: A Road Trip with David Foster Wallace," written after Wallace's suicide in 2008.

The relationship between the interviewer and the interviewee is fun to watch. Lipsky is in awe of Wallace, perhaps a bit intimidated and jealous, and Wallace is guarded at first, but also refreshingly candid when answering Lipsky's questions. I feel like I have a better understanding of one of my favorite authors after watching this film. Who knew Wallace had a secret crush on Alanis Morissette, and why? There is a scene at the very end of the film that shows Wallace doing something I never in a million years would have imagined him doing. Seeing this endeared him to me even more.

If you are a fan of big films with explosions and car chases, this is not the movie for you. If you like quiet films about ideas and relationships, you probably will enjoy "The End of the Tour." If you are a Wallace fan, and particularly a lover of "Infinite Jest," this film, I believe, is a worthy investment of your time and attention.

I went to see "Manchester by the Sea" with a group of friends, not knowing anything about it. I didn't even know what film we would be seeing as I stepped up to the booth to order my ticket. I was just along for the ride with a group of women who usually choose good films.

I am sure there will be Oscar buzz about this film, as it is the type of movie the Academy adores. It deals with very serious issues, and the actors, for nearly all of the film, are allowed to display their chops, portraying unfortunate souls filled with anguish and angst.

Grief, and the inability to move on after death, are the major themes in this film. Casey Affleck (Ben's younger brother) gives a wonderful performance as a man who cannot move on. Affleck's character, Lee Chandler, is the most depressed person I have ever seen on film. His gloom wears on you as you watch the movie. I saw this film on a day when I was feeling blue. I do not recommend anyone else do the same.

There are touches of humor in the film, particularly in scenes where Chandler is interacting with his 16-year-old nephew. Patrick, brilliantly portrayed by Lucas Hedges. The dialogue between these two is touching and real and occassionaly laugh-out-loud funny. But these light moments are few and far between, and are overwhelmed by the tragedy in the film.

Affleck and Michelle Williams, who plays Lee Chandler's ex-wife, Randi, give moving performances as a couple badly damaged by the tragic twists and turns of life. But I fully expect the major buzz this award season to be focused on Hedges. This talented young man is a gifted actor who gave an award-worthy performance, scene after scene, in this film.

If you love to watch good actors act, you probably will enjoy this film. I can't say that I recommend it, however. It was depressing and dragged in spots. The score is over the top. There is one particular scene, intended to tug on your heartstrings, where the soaring violins are so obnoxious, the music took my mind completely away from the story. Instead of being moved to tears, I was annoyed by the music and the producers' overwrought attempt to manipulate my emotions with it. 

I recently watched this film and I liked it, but I did not love it, either. Several times I found my mind wandering, and I had to rewind to see what I missed. My overall impression was the film was too "Hollywood." It felt slick, overproduced and a little bit dull. I think the moviemakers wanted to make a complicated subject more accessible to the masses, and consequently watered down what should have been a more interesting tale.

I have never seen "Shine" or the "English Patient," so I cannot compare them to this film. I have, however, been a fan of Dev Patel ever since I saw him in "Slumdog Millionaire," and I think he gave a fine performance as Ramanujan in this film. 

I am glad I saw "The Man Who Knew Infinity" because I knew nothing beforehand about this incredible human being who, despite nearly impossible odds, made a major contribution to mathematics and the world.

"I think I'll have the hamburger with peanut butter, marshmallow fluff and fancy sauce." These words came out of my mouth--but not to our waitress. I said this to my dinner companion, who immediately tossed a big, soggy blanket onto my sense of adventure.

We were dining at The Refinery,  a casual, comfort food restaurant in Tampa. We chose this place because it and its chef, Greg Baker, have garnered much acclaim. The James Beard Foundation named The Refinery as a semi-finalist for Best New Restaurant in 2011, and named Baker as a semi-finalist for Best Chef South in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. 

The atmosphere was fun and laid back, our waitress was delightful, and the local beer selection was good. Sipping a smooth, cold brown ale, I read each burger description, doing a double take on the peanut butter one.

When I first saw this dish, called "The Refined," I thought, "that can't be good." But when it comes to dining out, I love to try new and different things. This menu item fit my criteria for ordering things I have never seen before and likely won't see again.

So when our charming waitress came by, I asked her what she thought of the dish. She highly recommended it, as well as "The House" burger, which was the only other thing I was considering. "Is fancy sauce ketcup and mayo?" I asked. She seemed surprised that I knew, not realizing that "Step Brothers" is the favorite film of my two adult children, and that I have seen Will Ferrell and John C. Riley try to make their own bunk beds at least a half a dozen times.

My eyes lit up. "She says it is good!" I told my friend. He gave me a knowing look that said, "go ahead, but you will regret this." With my wild hair plucked, I ordered "The House," a burger with tomato jam, house bacon and white cheddar. I got the garlic aioli on the side. For an additional charge, I upgraded to organic, grassfed beef.

There was nothing wrong with "The House." It was a perfectly acceptable burger. There also was nothing about the dish that stands out in my mind. The bacon was good, the beef was average, the tomato jam was okay, and the brioche bun was subpar.

My dinner companion ordered the stuffed roasted pork shoulder. He enjoyed it, and offered me a taste. It was better than the burger, but still nothing that I would remember long after the meal.

Before our main courses, we split an order of little neck clams. This was an inventive dish, and it worked on some levels. There was bok choy, smoked tahini, butternut squash, mustard greens, salsa verde, a poached egg and six small clams. The flavors were okay, but oddly matched. For me, there was too much going on in the dish and not enough clams.

As our meal continued, more diners arrived. There were several large groups celebrating together. "The Refinery" seems like a fun place to gather with friends for drinks, and perhaps a casual meal. It is not a place I would seek out for a wonderful dining experience. I likely would stop by for a drink and then dine elsewhere.

But if you go to "The Refinery" and you are feeling overwhelmed with a sense of adventure, please try the marshmallow and peanut butter burger with fancy sauce and report back here. I am dying to know how it tastes.

You know you love a restaurant when you decide to dine there on two consecutive nights, and you are only in town for two. Without a reservation, and with very little knowledge about Indigeneous (except the fact that Chef Steve Phelps earned a James Beard Foundation semi-finalist nomination for Best Chef South in 2014 and 2015) we headed to this charming restaurant in an historic part of downtown Sarasota.

We sat at a high-top table on the patio, the perfect spot on a balmy Florida night. Sipping a glass of champagne, I glanced around at the lovely setting. Our table was surrounded by lush greenery, with soft music playing in the background. White lights twinkled above us, enhancing the exterior of the building, which appears to have been someone's home at one time.

Everything on the menu looked delicious, so it was difficult to decide. Wanting to sample a local fish, I opted for the Hook to Fork selection, one of two fish specials available that night. The dish was heavenly--a perfectly cooked, generous portion of local red grouper in a light cream sauce. This sauce was divine, not heavy at all, and enhanced the rich flavor of the fresh fish.

The other fish special was cobia on a soba noodle salad topped with Sriracha cream. I was tempted, because I like fresh cobia, but the Sriracha scared me away, as I often find it overpowering.

My dinner companion chose the Shrimp Bolognese, with wild caught Gulf shrimp, pappardelle, carmelized fennel and arugula pesto. This dish was interesting in that the pasta was in a Bolognese sauce and the shrimp was lightly covered in the pesto. It sounds like these flavors might compete, but they did not. Instead, they perfectly complemented each other and the fresh, al dente noodles.

Another highlight of the meal was our salad. For starters, we split a cobia tartare and a cress salad. Both dishes were outstanding, but the cress salad, for me, was one of the highlights of our meal. This generous salad featured Dakin Dairy mozzarella, upland cress, proscuitto and broccoli, lightly dressed with basil, lemon and olive oil. If this is on the menu when you visit, I highly recommend ordering it.

The second night we tried an entirely different selection of starters, all delicious, and my dinner companion ordered the red grouper for his main course, because he loved the sample I offered him the night before. To be honest, I wanted to order it again, too, but I did not, opting instead for the fish with soba noodles. Unfortunately, there was no cobia the second night, and an artic char was substituted. There was nothing wrong with this dish. The char was perfectly cooked, but not nearly as moist and delicious as the red grouper. That, combined with my overall lack of enthusiasm for Sriracha sauce, made me wish I'd ordered the grouper again.

We sat inside the second night, which was cozy on an evening that wasn't quite so warm. If the weather cooperates, however, I recommend asking for a table on the patio.

Chef Stevens is a talented man who knows how to balance flavors and create memorable dishes. Both of my meals at Indigenous were lovely and relaxing, and I can't wait to go back the next time I am on the Gulf side of Florida.   

On a recent trip to Sarasota, my friend and I stumbled across Lila, a delightful, downtown lunch spot featuring fresh, healthy and delicious food.

I have relatives who live in Sarasota, and my parents bought a tiny winter home in nearby Venice when I was in high school (many years ago!) so I am familiar with the area. But my 90-year-old dad's idea of a perfect meal is anyplace that serves fried shrimp, so most of my restaurant meals here have been repeat visits to his two favorite spots near the Englewood beaches.

I enjoy a fried grouper sandwich as much as anyone, but on this particular day, I had had my fill of fried anything and just wanted something light, fresh and satisfying. Lila was the perfect spot for this.

I ordered the Macro Bowl: chickpeas, sweet potatoes, avocado, seaweed and brown rice with a   turmeric-tahini vinaigrette. It was delicious, and the colors were beautiful, served in a large, white bowl. It came with a side of carrot and ginger mash, which, when added to the bowl, enhanced the color and flavor.

Main dishes were divided on the menu into Cool/Cold and Warm/Hot categories. My friend ordered the Winter Bowl from the Warm/Hot section. His bowl contained roasted root vegetables, potatoes, kale, falafel and pistachios, with a tahini-lemon sauce.

The menu is mostly vegan, but non-vegetable sides were offered, including house-made bacon, a smoked poached egg and sausage. Salmon cake or chicken could be added to any main plate for an additional charge of $5 or $6. 

My friend opted for the poached egg, and had it served on top of his bowl. His dish was exceptional. As much as I loved mine, I think his was even better. The egg tasted great with the roasted vegetables, and the fresh tahini-lemon sauce tied all of the flavors together. 

A quick Google search revealed that this is a new restaurant, and that the chef proprietors own another place called Pomona Bistro in nearby Citrus Square.

If you are looking for something fresh and filling in downtown Sarasota, I recommend Lila. I plan to go back and see what they offer for dinner, and I would like to try Pomona Bistro as well.

Pictured here, is the Macro Bowl.

49 minutes ago, SilverBullitt said:

At first I thought it unlikely that scientists had crossed some more russet in the potato.  I thought it more likely you had bought a mislabelled, starchier yellow potato.

But I asked the good people of Google and they pointed me to the writings of Dr. Potato of the Idaho Potato Commission.  In the doctor's answer (https://idahopotato.com/dr-potato/yukon-gold ), he said a couple of things that may confirm your suspicion.  He wrote, " While known for our russets, the Idaho climate produces a little drier (higher solids) yellow potato, often favored by chefs and restaurant owners."  He also wrote, "Over the years, manufacturers have found ways to have potato farmers grow a Yukon Gold variety with more solids or starch, and now these can be successfully promoted." 

Impressive palate, Don! Your tongue should be insured for a million dollars.

"Cold Fever" is a charming film. I was a little lost in the beginning, as there are no subtitiles and the dialogue is in Japanese, but Don's synopsis of the events leading up to the trip to Iceland are all one needs to figure out what is going on.

The opening scenes in Tokyo, as well as the beautiful panoramic shots of Iceland throughout the rest of the film, reminded me of Koyaanisqatsi. The films are quite different in style and substance, but the cinematography in "Cold Fever" brought that visually stunning movie to my mind.

Masatoshi Nagase is perfectly cast as the young man who begrudgingly sets out on a journey to find the spot where his parents died. The looks of disdain on his face are priceless as he faces challenge after challenge on his trip, encountering an array of colorful characters along the way. 

The film pokes fun at Icelandic traditions, but it is made by Icelandic filmmakers, so the jokes are endearing and never mean-spirited.

This film is funny, uplifting and beautifully shot. I am glad I saw "Cold Fever" and I highly recommend it.

On 11/3/2016 at 2:07 PM, farmer john said:

I am a pretty good cook and I feel like my appreciation of eating out has actually increased as I have become more skillful in the kitchen. I am more capable of recognizing the difference between a good meal and a great meal due to having at least a modicum of skill myself. My rule for eating out for the most part is that i don't order dishes which I can prepare well myself. 

...and heck yes you boil the noodles first!

I agree completely. I think being a pretty good cook with some knowledge of the time and effort involved in making a great meal increases my appreciation of what a chef prepares for me.

When I look at a menu, my first thought is always, can I make this well myself, and if the answer is "yes," I don't order it. There are a exceptions to this rule, however. For example, I was hesitant to order the roasted chicken at Kinship because I can roast a pretty good chicken myself, but I absolutely loved their version and I would order it again. I even tried to mimic the flavors the next time I roasted a chicken at home.

And no no-bake lasagna noodles for me! Always boil them!

***SPOILERS FOLLOW***

I loved this film. I thought I had seen it before, but I must have been thinking of Sid and Nancy. Despite their flaws, or more likely because of them, I found the characters (with the exception of Begbie) surprisingly endearing. The scene with the baby in the crib was one of the most harrowing things I have ever seen. 

They are trying too hard. That's what I thought watching "The Well," Season 7, Episode 2, of the Walking Dead. The dialogue was awkward and the humor felt forced. Coming off of last week's dark and violent premiere, the writers tried to lighten things up. But the result was a cartoonish mess.

The actual Patty Reed's Doll is on display at Sutter's Fort in Sacramento (visitor information):

11/13/12 - "Sutter's Fort Offers Visitor Enhancements and Return of Patty Reed Doll" by Tracie Rockefeller Cusack on sacramentopress.com

Patty Reed's Doll, on display at Sutter's Fort in Sacramento.

I went to Lazy Bear three years ago, and I loved it. It was before they had a permanent location, when they were considered "underground," and we had to be part of a lottery to get a ticket. The evening was fun, and the food was tasty and creative. We got to go into the kitchen and watch and ask any questions we wanted while the food was being prepared. The portions were very small, but there were a lot of courses. We sat at a huge, communal table and enjoyed conversation with the other guests.

The most unusual thing we had was the monkeyface eel (pictured below). Apparently there is quite an art to catching them. It wasn't the best thing we had, but it was something I hadn't had before and I haven't had since.  

22 hours ago, DonRocks said:

"What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" is one of "those" movies that I never saw because I'm the youngest child - I've seen small clips of the film, and heard it mentioned enough when I was young, to the point where I honestly thought that I had seen it, but I hadn't, and I had, and I hadn't.

I thought the same thing! I almost didn't watch it because I was sure I had already seen it. Two minutes into it, however, I was sure that I hadn't. 

I really enjoyed this film, and I liked Maidie Norman's performance so much I paused the movie to Google her, as I was sure I had recently watched her play Olivia de Haviland's maid in the dreadful Airport 77. (She did). She was a talented actress who brought a great deal of dignity to the role of Elvira.

This is a very enjoyable, psychological thriller. It was the perfect pre-Halloween movie for me, as I am not a fan of the true horror genre. Even though I had seen clips and heard a great deal about this film growing up, I am glad I watched it in its entirety.

On 10/25/2016 at 6:09 AM, schulju said:

Such cuties!

Thank you! Here they are inspecting the pumpkins! Happy Halloween!

This hotel was very nice and our room was quirky and cool, but I would not describe it as "delightful."

The light fixtures were my favorite things in our modern, orange space. Both hanging and on the nightstands, the plastic orbs looked like globes cut out of origami paper. When turned on, the light coming through the cutouts made intricate patterns on the walls.

The beds were quite comfortable, and I appreciated the honor bar in the lobby and the 24-hour, complimentary coffee service on each floor. While fetching coffee one morning, I tried to peer into a room that was being cleaned to see another decor scheme. This one was also orange, but striped. From the hallway, it looked less inspired than our decor.

Speaking of decor, the lobby, while quite small, was bright and colorful (pictured below).

6 hours ago, DonRocks said:

A much better review:

"'The Walking Dead' Just Isn't Fun Anymore" by Melissa Leon on thedailybeast.com

Every time I see a young person write an article of this quality, I have hope for this world.

PS - Look at the picture I chose to represent Season 6, Episode 16, "Last Day on Earth" (and no, I didn't guess).

...

I'll miss Abraham and Glenn; I'm glad Carl didn't have to suffer any more than he has, although at this point, I see no happier ending for anyone than death itself - the only people I remember dying with smiles on their faces are Edwin Jenner and Jacqui in Season 1, Episode 6: TS-19 - they died completely at peace, and with a sense of tranquility I don't believe we've seen since.

Melissa Leon's excellent review sums up exactly how I feel about the show after Season 6 and last night's episode. I will keep watching for a while, and I heard next week's episode is supposed to be "funny," but I have lost a great deal of enthusiasm for the series. 

***SPOILERS FOLLOW***

While waiting for last night's premiere to begin, I rewatched Season 6, Episode 16. I thought Abraham might be Negan's victim because of the foreshadowing in that episode. Glenn, however, took me by complete surprise.

I had nightmares last night, about Glenn and his altered face, specifically. As I watched last night's episode, all I could think about was how, if I were a character on the show, suicide would feel like the only option. Back in Season 1, Episode 6, this decision seemed like a cop-out to me. The overwhelming sense of hopelessness in the current story arc is mind numbing, and has made the show difficult for me to enjoy.

Christian Etienne

I enjoyed an unforgettable meal recently at Christian Etienne, a beautiful restaurant next to the Papal Palace of Avignon. The restaurant, perched atop a steep set of stairs, was built between 1190 ad 1220 AD, before the papal residence was built in 1335. The house became the first town hall of the city of Avignon in 1791, when the papal properties became a part of the French territory.

Stone walls and archways in the lovely dining room evoke a rich feeling of history, while contemporary artwork and lighting create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It was a wonderful place to spend three hours savoring a delicious menu based around tomatoes.

I must admit, I wasn't all that enthused about a tomato tasting menu. I enjoy a nice, ripe tomato in summer, but the idea of an entire menu based around the fruit didn't excite me. I couldn't have been more wrong. The meal was fabulous, and while the tomato was the star, each dish was outstanding it its own right, and, had I not known it, I might not have noticed until dessert that everything was tomato themed.

Now owned and run by Guilhem and Corinne Sevin, this restaurant is a must-do for anyone visiting this manificent city.

Our first course was a smoked mackerel ceviche with corn and Noire de Crimee tomato. This dish was heavenly and the flavors were perfectly balanced. This was followed by a trio of tomato tartar with basil. Green Zebra, Beefsteak and Pineapple tomatoes were the stars of this beautful molded dish. Left mostly in their natural state, we were able to enjoy the three very different flavors of these heirloom varieties. 

The third course was my favorite: red mullet and brandade (a salty paste commonly made with cod), plum and cherry tomatoes, tomato water and garlic cream. I couldn't get enough of this delicious dish. It had the pefect balance of salt, acid from the tomatoes, garlic and cream. If you get a chance to try this dish, you should.

Next we enjoyed a tomato falafel with Greek sauce, fresh mint, tomato quarters and multicolored cherry tomatoes. While I enjoyed this dish, I at this point I was still obsessing over the red mullet.

I was starting to feel full when they brought out a duo of lamb from Provence in its own juice, with smashed tomatoes, eggplant caviar and a rosemary crumble. The lamb was braised to perfection, and enhanced by the tomatoes, vegetables and herbs.

I must pause here to mention the bread. Several types were offered to us, all made in house and quite delicious. I absolutely loved the tomato bread. One might think tomato bread with a tomato menu would be overkill, but this was not the case. This bread was wonderful, and went extremely well with each dish.

Course number six featured Cornue des Andes crackers and fresh Drome goat cheese with chives. This dish was tasty, and despite feeling quite full at this point, I ate every bite.

We capped off a perfect meal with a tomato-based dessert: Love Apples, pistachio mousse and crispy rice, Marmande Tomato sorbet, topped with broken pieces of caramelized pistachio. It might not sound like it, but tomato sorbet and caramelized pistachios are a match made in heaven.

This lovely meal lasted three hours, but it certainly didn't feel long. The service was impeccable, the ambiance was lovely and the pace of the meal was just right. The wine pairings were extremely well done, with each wine enhancing the flavors of the food. My wonderful evening at Christian Etienne is one I will never forget. 

I just returned home from a lovely visit to the south of France which included a day in Aix. We stayed at the Hotel Cezanne. Tired from traveling and wanting to eat in that night, I ventured out in search of takeout pizza for dinner.

I eagerly volunteered for this task, thinking I would stop at a little eatery adjadent to the hotel that I spotted earlier that day. On closer inspection, however, the photos posted of their cheese pizza looked like something one would find at a child's birthday party, so I kept walking.

I came across a lovely Italian restaurant about a block up the street, and while they offered carryout, pizza was not on the menu. With no table or utensils in the room, I figured pizza was still our best bet, so I kept walking. There are plenty of charming restaurants lining the streets of Aix, but carryout pizza was not to be had.

About to give up, I smelled the wonderful aroma of garlic. La Piazza PaPa came to my rescue. For just under 18 euros I got a good-sized jambon parmigiano pizza, a calzonetto au salmon fume, and a salad. The waitress was friendly and the service was quick. I was back in a flash with dinner. Two groups of people stopped me on my way back and asked where I got the pizza, so I was not the only one in search of it that night.

The meal hit the spot, and the salmon calzonetto went particularly well with the rose wine from the honor bar in the lobby. Having eaten a lot of fish and not much meat during the first week of our trip, I almost didn't get the calzonetto. I am glad I did. The crust was tasty, and the smoked salmon and goat cheese filling went well together. I preferred it to the pizza, which was topped with fresh Italian ham and parmesan cheese, but the crust was not as crispy as I like.