DIShGo

It was the perfect place to visit during the holidays. Even the church bells were playing Christmas tunes. When we were there, the shopkeepers were giving out cookies and cocktails. It’s a fun and festive town with a Victorian Christmas feel.

On 1/2/2019 at 9:22 PM, PhillyGrub said:

Thank you for posting this! I grew up near Jim Thorpe (in neighboring Schuylkill County) but I haven't ever spent much time in Jim Thorpe, so I wanted to go up there in the fall. We didn't make it in 2018; hoping to go this coming autumn.

I would like to go back in autumn as well. I would imagine it is beautiful that time of year, with delicious apple-related things to do.

Much like Nolan’s “Inception,” this is a film you want to ponder after watching, and discuss with someone who has seen it.

It strikes me as odd that Nolan also directed “Dunkirk.” That film, to me, seems quite different than “Memento” and “Inception.”

Talk about getting lucky. After driving from Jim Thorpe to Philadelphia, and touring the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we checked into Cambria Hotel with plans to go out to dinner in a couple of hours. Two hours later--not wanting to get up, get dressed up, or get in the car--I began looking online for carry-out. I found the Nomad Roman website, where I saw photos of delicious-looking, thin-crust pizzas. 

We ordered four pies: Spicy Soppressata, Spicy Sausage, Trenton Tomato Pie, and Marinara. All were fabulous, with thin, wood-fired crust and fresh, organic toppings. The standout, for me,  was the Trenton Tomato. My second favorite was the Spicy Sausage, which was sweetened with caramelized onions. All of the pizzas were nearly as good the next day, when we enjoyed the leftovers for both lunch and dinner.

"Orlando" is a witty and sumptuous delight. It is a thought-provoking film that is both visually stunning and fun to watch. Tilda Swinton's androgynous beauty and understated charm make her perfect for the role of Orlando, a gender-fluid aristocrat who never grows old.

The film is loosely based on Virginia Woolf's 1928 novel, "Orlando, A Biography," a book inspired by her lover and good friend, Vita Sackville-West. "Orlando" honors the author's ideas and style, but is not a direct interpretation of the book. The film, which begins in the Elizabethan era and ends in its present day (1992), feels fresh and relevant, as it takes a look at the role gender plays throughout Orlando's never-ending life.

Stylishly shot, with gorgeous costumes and clever dialogue, "Orlando" is a treat for the senses. It is a fun film that I won't forget. 

34 minutes ago, reedm said:

My daughter and one of her friends will be in Amsterdam beginning tomorrow for a few days. (Both are 21) If anyone cares to recommend very good/great and inexpensive places, please let me know. Thanks!

Definitely go to Vondelpark and the Rijksmuseum. The Van Gogh Museum and the Moco (a modern art museum) are also nearby and worth a visit. My 24-year-old daughter enjoyed the Anne Frank House.I was unable to go because we didn't get reservations in advance. 

My daughter and her friends went out in the Squares at night, and she recommended taking a canal with a smaller company, where they let you bring on your own food and drinks.

Amsterdam is such a fun city. She will have a wonderful time!

1 hour ago, Pat said:

This is basically rice pilaf.  I don't really think of that as Asian, but I guess it depends on the seasonings you use.

Apparently the inspiration for Rice A Roni came from Pailadzo Captanian, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide and an author.

I walked by tonight, and it appears Mazagan has closed, and is being replaced by a restaurant called, "Caspi."

The '72 election was the first and only time my parents didn't vote for President. They couldn't stomach either option. 

I was 10 and vacationing with my family in DC on the day Nixon resigned. TV reporters were everywhere, getting reactions from people on the street. Nixon's helicopter flew over us and we drove out of town.

Last week I stumbled across,  "They'll Love Me When I'm Dead," a Netflix documentary about Orson Welles' unfinished final film,  "The Other Side of the Wind."  Netlix released, "The Other Side of the Wind" on Nov. 2. It was fascinating to watch both films, back to back. I highly recommend them, especially if you are interested in Orson Welles.

To fully appreciate both films, I suggest watching, "They'll Love Me When I'm Dead," first. Watching the documentary first gave me a better understanding of the film, which is free-spirited and ahead of its time.

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Well, the "obvious solution" happened - with a twist to the twist, of course. I was getting ready to say this was, at best, an average picture, and certainly a sub-average picture for Hitchcock. After having watched the entire film, I still think it's a sub-par Hitchcock film, but I think "Marnie" is a decent motion picture, worth seeing if you're a Hitchcock fan; not necessarily worth seeing if you're looking for true greatness.

I think this is a weak Hitchcock film. The "twist to the twist" elevated it from below average to decent. I'm glad I saw it, but I wouldn't rave about it to anyone.

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And the final question tonight on Jeopardy: What attracted Sean Connery to Marnie, especially given the thefts? I can see a physical attraction, but to take it as far as he did simply doesn't make any sense at all.

(*) This unanswered question remains one of the great unanswered mysteries of this film.

Sean Connery is the best thing about this film. The love affair between his character and Marie is implausible, and there was no chemistry between the stars. His sister-in-law, though conniving, was more interesting, and seemed like a better match for him.

Speaking of the sister-in-law, Lil, the quote about killing that you refer to is about Lil's love of the fox hunt, which repulsed Marnie once the dogs attacked the fox.

There's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark out, and we're wearing sunglasses.

I had a wonderful meal at Seven Hills when I visited San Francisco a few months ago. Everything was fresh and fabulous. The pastas were particularly good, and the meatballs were the best I have ever tasted. 

If you drive there, heed the advice on their website and park at the nearby Jug Shop.

5 minutes ago, naxos said:

I saw them at Costco but not sure what I would do with so many.

Yes, the extras are currently serving as seasonal decorations in my house. Won't get around the eating them all, I'm afraid. 

I bought pomegranates at the Pentagon City Costco last week. They also had Fuyu persimmons.

This is a well-made documentary. I found it riveting and thought-provoking--even after a friend revealed the entire storyline to me before I had the chance to see it! I highly recommend watching it (and reading as little as possible about it beforehand). 

On 10/10/2018 at 7:58 AM, curiouskitkatt said:

Has anyone dined recently at the Vernick? If so what do you recommend? I may plan an outing in Philly to include both breakfast at Vernick Coffee, then a dinner later at Vernick.

I had dinner at Vernick last weekend. Everything was fabulous, but the one dish I wouldn't miss is the sea scallop and black truffle butter toast.

3 minutes ago, dcandohio said:

Lol! Everyone is different!  I thought that perhaps I might be able to use the cucumber in a sort of Pimm’s cup concoction.  But I don’t have any Pimm’s. 

The cucumber works well as a mixer, I think. I also love the grapefruit.

3 hours ago, dcandohio said:

The cucumber is disgusting. Grapefruit is nice. 

Cucumber is one of my favorites! I always buy it when I see it.

They're back! I enjoyed a wonderful meal at 2 Amys tonight. Everything was fabulous, but the highlight was the lemon poundcake. It was one of the best desserts I have had in ages. Get it. You won't be disappointed. 

On 2/25/2014 at 11:47 AM, Steve R. said:

With the caveat that I left over 30 years ago:

God I hated Imo's pizza.  Crackers topped with a made up cheese and canned industrial sauce

Kemoll's (especially when it was on the North Side) & Ted Drewes.  Absolutely Amighetti's.  Crown Candy Kitchen?

Imo's pizza was the worse (particularly the cheese). 

On 1/27/2014 at 6:32 PM, bookluvingbabe said:

Amighetti's and Imo's in St. Louis.  And Tony's for high end dining there.  

Everyone went to Tony's for special occasions. I was never a fan of Ted Drewes, but it certainly has a following in St. Louis. During my first week at St. Louis University, the upperclassmen in my dorm kidnapped the freshman while we were in our pjs, blindfolded us, gave us shots of tequila, and then took us to White Castles and Ted Drewes. Maybe the tequila shooters are why I never liked Ted Drewes or White Castles...

2 hours ago, DaveO said:

That is an episode I should re watch.  I recall it, but in only vague terms.   Paulie and Christopher were pathetic in the woods.  Completely out of their element and with a formidable foe.  Also I know that Annabella Sciorra showed up in that episode as Gloria.  I don't recall if she was introduced in that episode or not.  Her character captivated me that season.   OMG:  She reminded me of some of the alluring young women I knew while growing up.   Jeeez Louise.   Her character had me strolling down memory lane.  Jeeeez.  Too much of that show was too close for comfort. 

I found Annabella Sciorra captivating as well. The episodes with Gloria and Tony were fun to watch. Unfortunately, she was one of the many women who was sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein. 

22 hours ago, DaveO said:

The Pine Barrens was a creative episode.  Though I haven’t seen it in years it was one I watched more than once.  Paulie and Christopher were engagingly humorous and pathetic.  Additionally Gloria became a great character over time.  She reminded me of alluring women of that time and place

Pine Barrens is my favorite episode so far. Paulie always makes me laugh.

"Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte," was supposed to be a follow-up to Robert Aldrich's successful film, "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane." Though not a sequel, Charlotte was to feature the former film's stars--Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, and fall into the "psycho biddy" sub-genre of horror popularized by Baby Jane.

While the film does mimic Baby Jane in style, there is no reunion of the feuding costars. Crawford, who was cast opposite Davis' Charlotte as her cousin, Miriam, began shooting the film, but left before it was finished, and was replaced by Olivia de Havilland.

I liked this film more than I thought I would. Agnes Moorehead is a hoot as Velma, the housekeeper, and Bette Davis is delightfully over-the-top as Charlotte. De Havilland gives a fine performance as well, although some scenes are tailor-made for the Crawford/Davis pairing that the we never got to see. The film also features the final performance by legendary actress Mary Astor.

The cinematography is lovely, as well, with picturesque shots of a tree-lined Southern estate. The final scene with Davis is one of her finest. Without saying a word, much is revealed through those luminous eyes and her expressive face.

On 4/17/2017 at 8:04 AM, DonRocks said:

Note that this-past February, a decision was made to renew "Feud" for a second season, which will be called "Feud: Charles and Diana," so it looks like they're going for the all-time-famous dirty-laundry motif. I'm looking forward to watching season one (season two won't debut until 2018).

According to this August 3 article from "Town and Country Magazine," the Charles and Diana season has been scrapped.