Doug Katz's Katz Club Diner Misses the Mark

When I first moved into my home the infamous Diner Cars on Lee road sat vacant. A few years ago Clyde's Bistro and Barroom [see my post here] -- owned by the eponymous Clyde Mart. It was generally excellent, and Mr. Mart was a fantastic host but closed after a bit more than a year. Immediately succeeding was Favor Bistro -- a concept that Rachel and I tried once (unknowingly -- the sign outside was still of Clyde's) and "never again" (Service was less than stellar, the menu was questionable, and, well I'm a picky eater and to sum it up... alligator was on the menu). Favor deservedly closed after a short run and the space has stood vacant since.

Thus when I learned that restaurateur Doug Katz was taking over the space -- and planning a return to the diner concept I was excited and looking forward to once again having an Americanesque food establishment a short walk down the street from my house. Rachel suggested dining for my birthday about two weeks ago, but they had not yet opened.

Opening date having passed, tonight Rachel and I walked over figuring that we'd try Mr. Katz's new endeavor. The short version: The staff was friendly and competent, the food was reasonably good, but the concept execution was beyond disappointing.

Reservationless, we were met with a 30 minute wait (estimated at 15-20), but with nowhere to really lean, much less sit in the foyer (there was precisely one chair available) to pass the time it felt much longer.

Having been seated, Rachel and I both decided to order sodas -- Diet Coke for her, Coke for me. Under the heading of "Soda Fountain" on the menu, imagine our surprise when a glass bottle of (real sugar) Coke and a can of Diet Coke were brought to our table--decidedly not Fountain, and considering that I'm not a fan of "real sugar" Coke [it tends to give me headaches] had there been any warning I may have tried something else. Imagine our surprise when Rachel's request for a refill on her beverage brought with it an unannounced doubling of the price on the check (really $2.00 per 12oz can? Hotel vending machines don't even stick it to you that badly and they aren't making margin on food). I'm honestly not sure which I'm more surprised by -- that it's labeled as a soda fountain but its not soa from a fountain, or the pricing structure.

Walking back to my place after, Rachel and I discussed the evening and the best conclusion we can come to was a "sit-down restaurant" wrapped in a "diner" theme, with above-market pricing, and adequate food -- but food the didin't deserve the pricing.

Service speed was also severely disappointing -- for a "diner" a 20+ minute wait for food (after the 30+ seating time) is not what either of us expected, and at least one other table was becoming visibly agitated.

I had the "Creamy Mac and Cheese", covered in breading, and served in a mini crock it was good -- but the portion size didn't create value for the menu price. More troubling, Rachel tried the "Diner Cheeseburger and Paprika Onions" -- found under the category of "Sandwiches" with the notation "All sandwiches served with choice of fries or chips and Dr. Katz's pickle".

Well -- the food Rachel was actually served was good ("nice bun, good fries") but tiny ("it looks like a single slider" both of us commented nearly simultaneously). More notable, however, was what Rachel wasn't served:  Both "Dr. Katz's Pickle" and the Paprika Onions explicitly specified on the menu were absent without leave or explanation. Also missing were any semblance of other burger staples -- like tomato, onion (paprika or otherwise) or even lettuce: Essentially a thin 3" diameter patty with American cheese, ketchup, and a bun. Period. For $11. Fundamentally the same thing -- with faster service -- can be found at Wendy's for about $4 including the drink.

The service wasn't worth the price or the wait, the food wasn't worth the price or the wait, and the ambience [including an obnoxiously loud table behind us, seemingly related to Mr. Katz] certainly wasn't worth either.

Maybe Rachel and I will try again in a few weeks but given the premium pricing on mediocre execution, it will probably be a while.

Lincoln

Blossom Festival Orchestra: Bugs Bunny at the Symphony

(The full program can be found at the end of this post)
I'm once again in  the midst of a whirlwind travel schedule -- most of last week was spent at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, tomorrow I'm flying to a project in Southern California and there for a jam-packed few days, getting back just in time to drive to a project at Ohio State in Columbus...and then flying back to a different project in Northern California...and I might have a quick visit to Houston, and well... I'll let you know what time zone I land in when September is over.

Way back at the beginning of the summer, though, September was wide open. When Rachel saw Bugs Bunny on the schedule for Labor Day weekend, she was interested and  we marked our respective calendars.

Having not really spent time together for the better part of the week -- and anticipating a large crowd and the traffic attendant thereto we decided to picnic pre-concert.

Before the concert we stopped by the Sheetz on Steels Corners to grab sandwiches MTO (something about ordering using a touch screen eliminates the guilt associated with a BLT, hold the L and T, add Cheddar, Pepperoni, Olives, Pickles, and Mayo) and found a quiet corner of shaded grass just inside the Lot A gate to spread a blanket and chow down. We finished eating as the had-been trickle of concert goers turned into a full fledged stream of all ages: Some young, some old. Some empty handed, some toting a handful of foodstuffs, others looking as if they were prepared to survive for weeks.

Though a sweltering evening, with a bit of time left before the concert started we walked the Blossom grounds...stopping to watch a swarm of bees busily pollinating flowers, making our way around the top of the bowl watching children at play and a densely-packed lawn, rivaling if not surpassing the 4th of July programs. Settling into our seats in the pavilion, we noted that it was comparatively empty.

The program -- now in it's 20th year (though the program note mentions that George Daugherty made his Blossom conducting debut in 1070 [sic]) -- mixes a live orchestra with classic Warner Brothers cartoon clips to reinforce the classical music that was so prevalent in those. Overall, it's a nice concept: I didn't really slip into critical listening mode and spent most of the evening smiling, though I question the value of the clips (indicated with a * below) where the orchestra was not used, instead relying upon the original--recorded--soundtrack. There were also a few places where it seemed that the overall balance, particularly orchestra-to-sound-effects-and-dialogue felt a bit wonky.

I'm not sure what my favorite from the evening was: Wiley Coyote and the Roadrunner are always fun with Zoom and Bored; Baton Bunny, Rhapsody Rabbit, and What's Opera, Doc were fun for the musical gags and in jokes. Scooby Doo's Hall of the Mountain King and The History of Warner Bros. Cartoons in Four-and-One-Half Minutes, of course featured iconic music. Rachel enjoyed but had hoped to hear the full Join Up With Me, So Joyous and Free (from Robin Hood Daffy) and Hello My Baby (from  One Froggy Evening) that were excerpted as part of a medley.

Lincoln

The Full Program
The Dance  of the Comedians (Overture) from The battered Bride. Music by Bedrich Smetana
The Warner Bros. Fanfare. Music by Max Steiner
Merrily We Roll Along (The Merrie Melodies Theme). Music by Charles Tobias, Murray Mencher, and Eddie Cantor; Arr. Carl W Stalling.
Baton Bunny. Based on Franz von Suppe's Overture to Morning Noon and Night In Vienna.
*Excerpt from What's Up Doc?
Rhapsody Rabbit. Music by Carl W. Stalling. Milt Franklyn, piano solo.
*I Love to Singa Medley, including: I Love to Singa, Music by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg; Would you Like to Take a Walk from Naughty Neighbors, Music by Harry Warren; Tiptoe Through The Tulips from A Scent of the Matterhorn, music by Joe Burke; Hello My Baby from One Froggy Evening, Music by Ida Emerson and Joseph E. Howard; A Cup of Arsenic....from Bewitched Bunny, based on Gertrude Lawrence A Cup of Coffee, a Sandwich, and You; Largo Al Factotum from Back Alley Oproar music by Carl Stalling after Gioacchino Rossini from The Barber of Seville;  Join up With Me, So Joyous and Free from Robin Hood Daffy, Music by Milt Franklyn; Square Dance (Skip To My Lou -- Turkey in the Straw), from Hillbilly Hare, music by Carl Stalling, based on American Flok Songs
Zoom and Bored, original score b y Carl W. Stalling and Milt Franklyn; based on The Dance of the Comedians from Bedrich Smetana's The Battered Bride.
*Home Tweet Home, Original Score by Milt Franklyn.
The Rabbit of Seville. Music by Gioacchino Rossini, Arr. Milt Franklyn, based on Overture to The Barber of Seville.
Overture to The Beautiful Galatea. Music by Franz von Suppe.
Tom and Jerry in the Hollywood Bowl. Music by Johann Strauss from the Overture to Die Fledermaus.
Scooby-Doo's Hall of the Mountain King. Music by Edvard Greig using Peer Gynt's In the Hall of the Mountain King.
Bedrock Ballet. Music by Jacques Offenbach: Can-Can from Orpheus in the Underworld.
A Corny Concerto. Music by Carl W. Stalling, Based on Johann Strauss's Tales of the Vienna Woods and The Blue Danube.
*Long-Hared Hare.
What's Opera, Doc?. Music b Milt Franklyn based on Richard Wagner's The Flying Dutchman, Die Walkure, Siegfried, Gotterdammerung, Rienzi and Tannhauser.
Merrie Melodies That's All Folks, Music arr. Carl W. Stalling.
The History of Warner Bros. Cartoons in Four-And-One-Half Minutes. Music by Gioacchino Rossini: William Tell Overture finale.

PlayhouseSquare: Next to Normal

On one of my trips to New York City last year I saw Next to Normal almost by accident; I chose it more or less by accident. Enjoyed the show, loved the music. But it wasn't until a week or two later that the actual significance of the show really hit me.

When I saw Next to Normal on PlayhouseSquare's 2010-11 season I was excited to have the opportunity to see the show again with that additional clarity -- and I've been looking forward to it all season. With all of my recent and upcoming travel, I've been more than a little afraid that I might miss the relatively quick stop (today through June 19th).

I invited my girlfriend to attend tonight's performance with me but I was intentionally vague about the subject matter. Before the performance we sat down for a quick bite -- she had a Chicken Salad with poppysead dressing, I had a Chicken Cesar with extra dressing -- at Acapella, just steps away from the Palace Theater's doors.


Like the New York playbill, the PlayhouseSquare program provides no synopsis, no schedule of musical numbers, no scene list. Simply the proclamation "There will be one fifteen-minute intermission". When the house lights came up for that intermission, the din in the house was nearly deafening; at the curtain call the standing ovation was nearly unanimous and instantaneous. During the performance, though, the audience was pinned to their seats - I think it was the quietest and most transfixed audience I've seen in a long time.

Next To Normal, with rocking songs ("I'm Alive" is one of my favorites) is a gripping yet entertaining look at mental health -- no, it's a lot more entertaining than it sounds -- and how the mother's (played by Cleveland native Alice Ripley, reprising her Broadway role*) delusions of long-dead son affect the family around her, the imprecise nature of mental health care, and the stresses of suburban, romantic, and educational life in general.

Heavy stuff, right? Had anything been off, book, lyrics, or pacing, it could have easily felt like an academic journal... but with music that moves, witty lyrics, and rapidly perfect pacing it's easy to enjoy. The audience has the choice to attend superficially and be simply entertained, or look more deeply into any of the facets of this fascinating multifaceted musical. Ethical, medical, pharmaceutical, love... there's a little bit of everything to consider.

The set and blocking is (virtually?) identical to the Broadway production placing a large, three-tiered structure with pixelated graphics with the band on the ends of the 2nd and 3rd floors and action regularly taking place on two or more of the levels simultaneously. My date and I were in H319 and 318 which was nearly perfect, though I think there would have been minor vertical sight line issues had we been much closer. Ms. Ripley's voice, that was the only "I can't quite put my finger on it" item that bugged me throughout the evening.

Lincoln
*- Though an understudy was in the role the evening I saw the production in New York.

Restaurant Roundup

I'm hungry...but can't even begin to figure out what I'm actually hungry for. It's been a while since I blogged about food so...

Actually, when I started writing I was going to note the location of each, but then I realized they're all within walking distance of my house in Cleveland Heights so that would get a little redundant...

Clyde's Bistro and Bar Room (on Lee Road, about a 5 minute walk): Still my go-to restaurant for dinner when I can't decide what else to do. I love the food, the service is great (bonus points for being a place where I need no introduction), and they catered my little party with the cellist in my living room and were quite helpful even with non-catering advice in that regard.

Though typically a dinner-only establishment, and kicking them out of the running for my current state of hunger (aside from the fact that I've eaten there twice in the past week) Clyde's recently started offering brunch Sunday mornings and while I'm not a breakfast person I've enjoyed both waffles (with a few friends, a little crispy for my tastes) and pancakes (alone, fantastic).

On my last visit (also known as "Thursday") I got a little creative with the menu, ordering the cheeseburger without onions (I think I'm allergic, and in any event really don't care for them) but with the spicy mayo from another dish. OMG. It was one of the best things I've eaten in recent memory. Next time I might press my luck and try adding bacon. I'm sure that move would do everything to endear me to the waitstaff (one member in particular, I'd love to invite for post-shift food/drinks...but haven't figured out a professional/not completely awkward way to do so)

Fracas (on Euclid Heights at Coventry, about a 10 minute walk): A relatively new addition to Cleveland Heights' dining scene, two visits later, I 'm not sure how I feel about it: On my first visit with a friend for a casual dinner a couple months ago, we were alone in the dining room. The pretzel-stick-with-cheese appetizer was fantastic, my burger was good, but I wasn't that impressed by the value proposition (price vs. quality). Recently returned for a post-date glass of wine with a frist date. The wine was good, but the pretzel sticks were merely OK (a little on the cold side, actually). Not sure about the date yet.

Service is a little weird -- verging on overly attentive at the beginning of the meal (glass), but when it's time to ask for the check it seems like everyone disappears. Truly an odd phenomena. Hopefully the energy will build to the namesake fracas level, right now the name is unintentionally ironic.

Bodega (on Coventry, also about a 10 minute walk): Two relatively recent visits; one at the bar for drinks and tapas with a friend to commiserate on our lackluster dating lives. Impressive drink list; the martini list alone is a bit frightening. Great tapas -- I think I might have called them the best fries in Cleveland. Service at the bar was good; there when you needed something, not there until you did.

The next visit was a first date dinner. As much as I liked the tapas, I wasn't impressed by the dinner menu, either substance or pricing. As a matter of fact, for my tastes and the quantity of food, the menu lands on the wrong side of the borderline for being overpriced. Service at a table was distractingly overattentive-- annoying generally, and particularly annoying whne you're trying to learn about your date and you can't sucessfully ask an entire question and have that question answered between "Everything allright?" and "Can I get you anything elses?" visits.

Lopez on Lee (do I really need to tell you where this is? On Lee Road, about a 15 minute walk)... I've been here a few times over the years, actually. Though Mexican food is not at the top of my list (and I'm not entirely sure Lopez can be called Mexican, more Mexican-influenced) I love their margaritas and their cheese (I think) filled croutons on the Caesar salad are phenomenal. Not the kind of place I'm likely to find myself alone, but good for friends. Dinner menu, is diverse but has no strong winners for my both picky and gringo tastes -- but I've also never left hungry.

Lopez was another first date choice, and, ugh. While I haven't been on any real promising dates lately I think this may have been the most disappointing. She may have been the most physically attractive, but despite initial indications that we had things in common when we actually met it couldn't have been more clear that we're at two completely different places in life. Based on that distraction, my impression of the service is a little fuzzy, but I'm going to say it wasn't particularly memorable -- pretty average.

Ok, as I'm typing I'm realizing that there are more local restaurants within my definition of walking distance (about 45 minute walk, or University Circle) that I haven't commented on--- but I could go on for pages... but those are the ones I've tried so far in 2011.

Lincoln

Heights Arts: New Years Day Brunch

For the past 10 years Tommy's on Coventry has hosted a New Years Day brunch to with all proceeds and tips benefiting Heights Arts. For the past two or three years I've been peripherally aware of the brunch but in the past that awareness didn't come until January 2nd or so.

This year I the Heights Arts newsletter in mid December and promptly marked my calendar. Despite being generally neither a morning nor breakfast person* and last night being, obviously, a late night I was awake bright and early this morning.

Not sure what to expect and with temperatures in the mid-50s and a a light rain I decided to take advantage of the wonderful day and I took the 10-minute walk to Tommy's shortly after the 10am start time... [two of the things I love about Cleveland Heights are Heights Arts and the walkability] when I arrived, I found a line that already stretched out the door and down the sidewalk with conversation buzzing up and down the line, spirits in no way diminished by the occasional droplets of water plopping down on the not-so-huddled masses.

Working that line, it was easy to spot Peggy Spaeth, Heights Arts' bubbly and tireless executive director -- this morning donning an apron and handing out numbers to those waiting. It seems groups of one weren't terribly common and the suggestion was made that I might join another Heights Arts supporter slightly further up the line who was dining also for one. Under the heading of "no harm in meeting new people", it was a suggestion I took up at once.

From that point we were seated relatively quickly -- the groups in front of us needing larger tables -- and our $10 per person admission was taken. The menu is simple: All you can eat pancakes, bacon, eggs, and sausage with coffee, orange juice or several other beverages [Tommy's trademark milkshakes were not, however, on the menu]. Service, by an entirely volunteer waitstaff, was exceedingly prompt, and the food -- my order consisting of pancakes and bacon -- was delightful.

Conversation with the random stranger I was paired with added an additional layer of interest and enjoyment to the meal; I've recently realized I enjoy learning about people and what brings them to where they are -- physically and metaphorically -- at that particular moment. In my case, the lady across the table was a recently retired school librarian and mother of two who relocated to Cleveland Heights in the mid 80s because of the great environment it offered her children, an environment she says has stayed pretty consistent over the past 25 years.

After our meal was over I caught Ms. Spaeth still working the ever-growing line of local arts supporters -- now stretching not only the length of Tommy's facade, but the entire length of Mac's Backs bookstore next next door. Mac's was also open and donating proceeds to Heights Arts, and while standing in front of that storefront my eye caught the cover of The Severances: An American Odyssey. Living in close proximity to the former Severance family estate (now Severance Town Center) and a frequent benefactor of the families philanthropy (The Cleveland Orchestra's Severance Hall home, and the Severance Purchase Fund at the Cleveland Museum of Art being the two most visible legs of that giving) I was curious, and purchased a copy

I realized walking home from that meal -- and after stopping by Phoenix Coffee for a latte to warm the hands -- that that would be a cool way to do a meal: Just get a random collection of single (not necessarily in the relationship sense -- in the sense of "not with anyone else at that particular meal") and seat them at tables of two for lunch or the like. Of course some conversations would be better than others, but it would be an interesting experiment, and better than passing a meal in silence.

Lincoln
*- When weighing the options between "more sleep" and "breakfast" sleep wins virtually every time.

Classical Revolution Cleveland @ Prosperity Social Club (9/12)

"The kids are disco dancing / They're tired of rock and roll / I try to tell them 'hey, that drum machine ain't got no soul'" -- The Limosuines, Internet Killed The Video Star*

Classical Revolution should be required reading for anyone who thinks that classical is stuffy, dull, or expensive.

I actually hadn't thought that I was going to be able to attend tonight's edition -- I had a violin lesson scheduled for tonight, and aside from that when I woke up this, um, very late morning I was more sore than I've been in a while and I may, possibly, have been feeling other after effects** from Pandemonium at Cleveland Public Theatre... but as fate would have it my teacher had to reschedule our lesson, and I decided I didn't want to miss this installment.

Held at the same venue as last time, Prosperity Social Club in Tremont. I can't really imagine a better description of the venue than I used in that post, so...

To paint the setting in one word: Bar. To use slightly more words: A narrow, old-school bar in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. The door is flanked with "Thank You" and "Call Again" neon signs; the paneled walls--looking slightly older than the 1940-70s vintage to which I typically attribute that architectural detail--hold advertisements for karaoke, happy hour, and other such events. A lone and strangely out of place disco ball spins in the front corner. The bar itself is well-worn, with the finish giving way to bare wood at places... behind the bar is the standard assortment of alcoholic beverages. Tables are scattered throughout, and a couple pool tables fill a back corner.

Yet in the front corner is something atypical for a bar: A collection of music stands and musical instrument cases.

Once again, the majority of the participants seemed to be CIM students. Where last time the majority of the participants were string players today the winds were well represented. The variety of music throughout the 3 hours of performance I attended***. This is not an environment for critical listening; conversations and clinking glassware developed, progressed, and faded. I had a Gouda Burger which was fantastic and gigantic.

I couldn't make out many of the composers or titles of the pieces as they were announced, but that's not really relevant: All of the music was enjoyable to listen to, and the selections were pleasantly short, so like the Cleveland weather, should you not be fully engaged in a work you needn't wait long before something else came along.

While I've certainly heard string ensembles in intimate settings -- and I'm not sure I'll ever get tired of that vibrancy -- the same can not be said for many of the instruments making an appearance tonight. (It was jokingly suggested, among those at my table, that for additional variety someone may wish to perform hip hop or Chinese techno at a future event)

Starting with a collection of works for solo and duo flute it was an exciting foray into new sounds in an intimate setting: I've only heard solo flute once previously -- in a more formal recital context; and I've not heard duo flute previously -- so it was nice to have the instrument in a more relaxed and intimate environment. Also interesting was duet for flute and bassoon--an unusual pairing of instruments.

Following that was a lively piece played with quartet including baroque violin and baroque cello, though I didn't catch the title of the piece or the composer (such is the peril of being caught with a burger in both hands while a work is being announced) though if I recall correctly it would have originally been played during the intermission of a comedia.

Brass made an appearance in the form of a tuba, trombone, an trumpet playing decidedly more modern music -- including an impressive, toe-tapping head bobbing work that one of the musicians had composed during a required course (Untitled at the Moment).

Strings came back for at collection of Stravinsky string quartets and a concertino before a pair of wind instruments -- that I've never seen or heard before -- appeared. Described as the "medieval oboe" and having a form that remained essentially unchanged from 1200-1500 the two Shawms made lively work out of dance music originally heard in the 1400s

Finally--before my heavy eyelids (through no fault of the music) forced my departure--we have Dvorak's American Quartet. Dvorak's Symphony 9, From the New World, is one of my favorite symphonic works, and that piece borrowed heavily from and built upon sounds that Dvorak found during a trip to America in the late 1800s. The American Quartet shares the foundations of From the New World, and if Wikipedia is to be trusted finished around the same time. To my ear, From The New World gives a very bold and confident extrospective air, while the American Quartet has a much more introspective and soulful -- though lively and not depressing -- feeling.

If you haven't tried Classical Revolution I certainly encourage it -- and bring a friend who thinks they don't like classical with you. Next time will be at the Barking Spider Tavern (University Circle), Sunday, October 24th starting at 3:30.


Lincoln
*- Yeah, I try to avoid quoting the same piece of music in consecutive quotes but it seems appropriate. Plus I'm really digging this song right now.
** - I still can't agree with myself about what to call it. Really, I only had 3 glasses of wine and 'enough' food over 6 hours.
*** - I excused myself befor the evening was completely finished... I think Pandemonium took more out of me than I realized.

Cleveland Public Theatre: Pandemonium

"I don't need your umbrella, that's OK, I like the rain" - No More Kings, Umbrella

"Well, I'm a horrible dancer, I ain't going to lie, but I'll be damned if that means I ain't going to try / Yeah, I'm a sh---y romancer, baby I ain't gonna lie, but I'll be damned if I ain't going to try" - The Limousines, Internet Killed the Video Star

"No time for cameras, we'll use our eyes instead, I see flashes of gold" - Matt and Kim, Cameras

So... I'm confronted with a conundrum: I had planned on attending Cleveland Public Theatre's Pandemonium with someone who I would have been meeting for the first time and who had a rather pressing personal matter come up. Despite the best efforts of myself, friends, and even a few random strangers I couldn't come up with someone to use the ticket. Thus, if I'm evaluating value at $125 per person Pandemonium was a fantastic hit; if I'm evaluating value at $250 per person, effectively what I paid, eh...it's a bit steep.

The event, covering nearly the entire CPT campus, including parts that I had never before realized were parts of the CPT campus defies easy description: With performances ranging from stand up comedy to interpretive dance on 20-odd stages throughout the complex, mingled with food from an equally diverse selection of providers, all without being nickle-and-dimmed-- admission is truly all-inclusive.

Early in the evening I decided not to ask questions, but before we get there... I helped to build a bridge. Literally. And it may have been the single most memorable part of the night for me. As the event began it was raining, and a small river formed between the main entrance and half of the stages. Several CPT volunteers and staffers looking quite nice in their evening wear were shuttling bricks in to form a dry walkway and it seemed like it would have been most ungentlemanly of myself to not lend a hand while they were wading through the water...so that's exactly what I did. Eventually a 8' table also appeared, and between the table and bricks we solved a problem. Boom.

Then we get to the not asking questions part: Those who know me know I'm probably one of the pickiest non-itarian eaters you'll encounter in the wild. Tonight I made a conscious effort not to ask what I was eating, or to examine it too closely: I took a small portion, tasted, and moved on. While all of the food was reasonably good, I have to say that Bourbon Bakeshop's plate was delicious: A wild mushroom risotto with dates, thyme, and toasted almonds, basil gougers, and summer vegetable compote with goat cheese was fantastic. I don't generally like mushrooms, and I've had mixed luck with vegetables and almonds but the combination was tasty, and I probably could have eaten the basil gougers (I'm still not entirely sure what a gouger actually is) all night.

Entertainment wise, I took a similar approach wandering from stage to stage without paying particular attention to the schedule. I didn't make it to all of the stages -- and the evening's entertainment was over before I could really blink -- but I saw some funny stuff (stage 20), some disturbing stuff (stage I-can't-remember), some thought provoking stuff (stage 18, The Petition Box -- a project that when I first walked in I didn't get, but reading submissions I felt compelled to add my own note to the wall).

Approaching random strangers is not something that comes easily to me but I did initiate a few conversations on my own; unfortunately none really went anywhere (One: "If I ever get married for a third time, I'm keeping it simple. I gotta pee. Nice talking to you.") and it was exceptionally difficult to tell who was with whom, but, anyway.

Once the entertainment was finished, dessert came out in the form of tables with people in the middle roving through stage 1. I've never had to chase dessert before.

Following that, I caught up with a friend from CPT who made some easy introductions and several hours of good conversation flowed. I'm glad. Taking to other humans has a distinct stress-relieving component to it.

Ok, and now I'm going to fall asleep.

Lincoln

Cleveland Play House: Happy Hour (August 16th)

For those not 'in the know', the Cleveland Play House has been hosting Happy Hours around Cleveland for a little while now. It seems, however, my schedule has conspired against me -- and I've made excuses for not attending one as yet. Not to mention several of the venues have struck me as West Side and as an Eastsider, the West Side scares me.

People outside Cleveland may not recognize the significance, particularly given the relatively small and subtle geographic distance, but to a Clevelander -- even a Clevelander who has only lived in this* beautiful city for five years -- the difference is vast (New Yorkers who detest, even fear, venturing to a distant borough may recognize the feeling); it's not unlike crossing a state line, perhaps even a national border.

This border, however, is unclear: I personally lump anything West of Ontario St. as West Side, with the occasional 'Near West Side'** and 'Far West Side'*** when needed -- however, I have debated the subject with friends who argue that Tremont is "downtown" and not "West Side". I disagree, and I digress.

Anyway, last night was the Play House's first Happy Hour of the 10-11 season and I resolved to stop making excuses; though the Tremont/West Side location had me a little concerned, the only "must do" on my schedule for Monday was driving to Pittsburgh at some point before midnight. It was a great event and I encourage anyone who may be interested to stop by for the next one - 10/4 at Uptowne Grill (I think I actually know where this one is... it's East Side, and walking distanceish**** from my house!)

Obviously, having to drive to Pittsburgh limited my alcohol intake to about 3/4 of a drink upon arrival followed by two non-alcoholic beverages over the course of the next two hours. The lack of alcohol didn't diminish the enjoyment: There was a quick verbal blurb from artistic director Michael Bloom on the upcoming season -- perhaps the only time I've ever thought an Artistic Director didn't speak long enough -- but there was ample conversation among the artistically inclined.

Between the din from the fantastic turnout and the conversation--once I finally had to excuse myself (a full half-hour after the official end of the 2-hour Happy Hour, and about an hour and a half longer than I had planned on "trying it out" for) I found that for the first time I can recall, and certainly the first time in my adult life, my voice was hoarse... considering that I didn't 'know' anyone going into it, I'd call that a success (and a welcoming group).

For the record, I consider myself, living in Cleveland Heights, to live on the "Near East Side" and the office in Mayfield Village to be "Far East Side". When the office was in Chesterland, I wasn't sure what to call it. I'm glad we moved. (Most Westsiders I've met recognize Cleveland Heights as East Side but exhibit geographic confusion when presented with Mayfield Village)

Lincoln
* - Full disclosure: I'm in a Pittsburgh suburb tonight, but I'll be back home tomorrow.
** Anything between Ontario and West 25th or so, still relitively comfortable but a little exotic.
*** Anything further than West 25th, where the locals might as well be speaking a different language.
**** 2.5 milesish... I walk past it on a weekly basis, but other people may not consider that "walking distance"

Cleveland Orchestra: Brahms Symphony No. 2

Ives: From the Steeples and the Mountains
Berg: Symphonic Suite from Lulu
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
One Unannounced Encore
Franz Welser-Most, conductor.

I was accompanied at tonight's concert by a friend who was experiencing both Blossom and The Cleveland Orchestra for the first time.

Before the concert we met at the Blossom Grille for dinner -- haven never eaten a proper meal on the Blossom grounds, this was a first for me as well. As for food, the grilled 'sandwiches' (in a pita-like shell) served on the patio were reasonably good, though the intended method of consumption--hand to mouth or fork and (table) knife--was a bit unclear (As we were finishing our meal, the next table over had their sandwiches delivered with a steak knife sticking out of the middle, making things a bit more clear). As for value, "real world" pricing is a bit steep; "captive market" pricing wasn't too bad.

The title of Charles Ives' From the Steeples and The Mountains most attracted me to tonight's program. From the title I had expected something bold, perhaps declaratory, and melodic. I was 0 for 3, and the best I can say is that it was only 4 minutes long. With three musicians on chimes, a trumpet and trombone, the dissonance between the instruments left me unclear on the statement.

When last I heard Berg's Symphonic Suite from Lulu, I described it as "a strong contender for my least favorite piece". I've softened slightly, especially given the piece it followed but many of my original sentiments hold true. Interestingly, this time I noticed the program note that the opera from which the excerpts were taken was based on two of Frank Wedekind's plays; my all-time favorite musical, Spring Awakening was also based on a Wedekind play, with pop musician Duncan Sheik as the composer: It's quite interesting how one playwright can serve as the inspiration for two different composers at two different times with wildly different results)

Brahms's Second Symphony was, by contrast, quite enjoyable, particularly the texture of the third and fourth movements dipping into shadows and emerging into a bright, triumphant landscape.

There was one encore, title and composer unannounced, to which I was ambivalent.

Lincoln

I'm going to be sore tom..., er, right now.

My raging case of cabin fever couldn't take it any more. The sun was out and I decided to use this first day of spring to begin my season of semi-weekly walks and Cleveland Museum of Art contemplation sessions:

The map above, courtesy of Google Earth gives me claim to nearly 10 miles (9.99 miles to be precise), and I must have fallen further out of shape than I thought: Forget feeling sore the next day, truly my favorite part of the first few walks of the year in that I feel like I've actually done something; I was feeling sore at about the 6 mile mark, while staring at Picasso's Harlequin with Violin (Si Tu Veux).

I'm also seriously pissed that I felt the need to use a belt with my "slim fit" 30x32 jeans. Come on, I know I'm a toothpick but is it asking too much for jeans to stay where I put them without external assistance?

I started out aimed generally at Shaker Lakes but quickly decided I needed a warm beverage because jeans and a long-sleeve shirt weren't quite cutting it in the 45 degree-with-wind morning: Detour to Phoenix Coffee on Coventry for a caramel latte to go, and down Coventry for a lap of the lower lake, then generally down Fairmount to Cedar Hill, through the CWRU South Residential Village, past University Hospitals and to the Cleveland Museum of Art.

I'm generally a very acoustically-oriented person; rarely will you find me without music playing, or the TV on, primarily as a white noise. My weekly visits to the Museum of Art are my respite from the week, my place where my thoughts are generally the loudest thing in the room, and where something different catches my eye every week. Generally, I spend most of my time with the works in a different gallery; Sometimes my reactions are deeply philosophical, others I'm lucky if I get "It's Green!" -- then, days like today it's "Why is there never a frigging bench where you really want to sit? My thighs are killing me."

My visit to the museum completed, I found myself hungry. I had considered "real food" but I am also sucker for sidewalk hot dog vendors. I very nearly choose the later based on sheer convenience, but having a favorable impression of L'Albatros from the wine and cheese following the Cleveland Orchestra's Meetup event on Thursday, I found my feet moving me in that direction.

Quickly seated at the bar I decided to try the Watercress "Caesar" (with Anchovies) and the Hanger Steak with Pommes Frites. Heed the warning of the quotation marks and don't be deceived by the inclusion of the word Caesar: A fan of the traditional Caesar, neither the salad or dressing really gave me what I was looking for. On the upside of that dish, it was laden with items that I didn't recognize--including the Anchovy. Generally a picky eater, I took the opportunity of being in a solitary corner of the bar to try a little bit of everything: No new loves, but nothing invoked my hair-trigger gag reflex either.

The Hanger Steak and accompanying Pommes Frites, on the other hand, was amazingly good in every way. Despite knowing that I had at least another 2 miles or so to make it home, I nearly cleaned the plate. Service was prompt, and I think set a record for time between placing the order and appearance of the salad.

Waked through Little Italy, up Mayfield, hung a right on Lee, hiked up the stairs to my living room and collapsed on my very comfortable couch where I am typing this blog entry now.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love living in Cleveland?

Lincoln

Clyde's Bistro and Barroom, Cleveland Heights, an Addendum

A few weeks ago I wrote favorably about my initial experience with Clyde's Bistro and Barroom in Cleveland Heights. Last night I returned and had another fantastic experience.

This time I was on the bar side of the restaurant which as a distinct, yet equally enjoyable, atmosphere compared to the dining room. The evening of my visit you could feel the energy and bartender Angie was on her toes every moment of my visit ("It keeps me thin," she commented). While I'm not normally one for "courses", I added a house salad, substituting Cesar dressing. It was one of the best salads I've had in a very long time. The Delmonico Steak was as good as my previous fillet.

You can tell a lot about a restaurant by the check: A so-so restaurant you invariably find yourself begging for the check; a place that's in a hurry to get rid of you will drop the check before you've dropped your fork. A good restaurant, though, the check comes at precisely the right moment; such was my experience on Thursday.

I also had the privilege of meeting Vivian, and Brian and chatting with Clyde. You can tell that he's a restaurateur who knows and enjoys what he's doing... and who also knows the importance of having staff who enjoy their work and atmosphere -- the atmosphere is real, not manufactured chain-restaurant kitsch.

Lincoln

New York: Day 4, Part 1: Moving Downtown

Today was a very lazy day for me... for some reason my ankles were making their discomfort known and that combined with the brutally cold temperatures (a high of 20 according to the newscast I'm viewing while I type this) generally discouraged me from doing much. But that's not to say I did nothing:

Changing Hotels. The three night stay I booked at the Waldorf was finished and it was time to move to my hotel for the last night of my stay: The Hilton Times Square. Thanks to an extremely accommodating desk staff, for a about 3 hours this morning I was technically checked in to two hotels simultaneously.

I have a total of three bags including my laptop. I decided to do two trips: The first trip I carried my laptop and overnight bag (now the swag bag) onto the 6 train, then the 42nd street shuttle to the Hilton. I took MTA back to the Waldorf but decided to hail a cab for my roll aboard (I didn't feel like throwing it over a turnstile and based on the headways I encountered on the first trip I didn't really want to waste any more of the morning).

I had watched other tourists try to hail a cab without much luck and was expecting some difficulty for my first time. Such was not the case. Literally, I got to the curb on Lexington, had my arm out for no more than 2 seconds before a cab was in front of me.

Based on what I've seen so far, I actually much prefer this property-- it's much more my style, the location is far more convenient (Both the Hilton and Waldorf are within about a 3 minute walk of a subway station... but Times Square/42nd has more lines and generally goes more of the places I want to go without needing to transfer). In addition there is a huge amount of contemporary art around the property... including a collection of Tom Otterness's very cute sculptures-with-a-story*

The service is also much more "we're being hospitable because we want to be hospitable" than "we're being hospitable, damn it, because you expect us to"

The Empire State Building. Tourist trap, pure an simple. At $20 it's overpriced and they try to get you to buy extras at every turn. Decent view, but I have pretty much the same view from my hotel room window. Add a security detail that's more aggressive than any airport I've transited** It's not something I ever need to do again.

Lunch. My violin teacher suggested -- actually the only suggestion I got -- eating at Veselka in Manhattan's East Village. Fantastic atmosphere, and amazingly crowded at 2pm. The place is a mix of Ukranian and American Diner; based on my aforementioned picky eating tendencies once I fought my way to an empty bar stool I stuck to the diner side of the menu with Mac & Cheese and a side of fries.

The Rest Of The Afternoon. I sat quietly and relaxed. Until the time came to head to Carnegie Hall, the subject of the next post.

More Photos over at Flickr

Lincoln

*- Mr. Otterness' work The Gates can be found at the Cleveland Public Library. A photo of one of the little people is the centerpiece of my living room's south wall. If I could afford one of the sculptures, I would love to have the real thing.
** - The buttons on my jeans set off the metal detector. Seriously. Then the gaurd made pull up my pant legs to double check.

Clyde's Bistro and Barroom, Cleveland Heights

It's a sure sign I've been spending too much time in my native California when I can look at my thermostat (to the right) and go "Oh, 39 degrees. It's warm enough for a walk!"

There are two diner cars on Lee, mere footsteps from my home, that were home to one failed diner-style restaurant after another, and have sat vacant more or less the entire time I've owned my home. Late last year, I heard that something new would be attempted... that something new would be Clyde's Bistro and Barroom, 1975 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-321-7100. I'm not exactly sure when they opened, but for the past few weeks I've been wanting to give them a try.

They do not (appear to) have a website, which instantly makes me somewhat suspicious, and them somewhat enigmatic: How does one figure out what their hours are? What's their menu? The first time I tried dropping in they appeared to be closed; then every subsequent time I've driven by the parking lot has been overflowing, which caused me to bail [for the record they do offer a complimentary valet, I just feel valeting my hunkajunk is a little too ostentatious].

Tonight, the mild temperature combined with my hunger and bachelor's refrigerator* I decided to walk over there -- probably about 7 minutes on the high side-- and it really wasn't too bad, though the sidewalks were a bit treacherous.

I was instantly greeted and seated; the atmosphere inside the cars belies the exterior. To be sure, if you were lead in blindfolded you would not think that you were inside two classic 1950s diners. The service was among the most courteous I can remember. While the furnishings are sturdy and the lighting is dim, the atmosphere is light, airy, and genuinely relaxed.

I am quite possibly the pickiest eater you will ever meet, though that has been softening recently. With that in mind nearly everything on the menu sounded fantastic, eventually narrowing the choice to between the 10oz Delmonico Steak and the 7oz Fliet Mignon.

I took the filet with a side, or rather two, of french fries. I'm honestly not sure which was better. The fries were among the best I've consumed, and the filet was phenomenal in every respect.

I do believe that at $19 the filet was the most expensive item on Clyde's menu which includes salads, a diverse set of entrees, and some sandwiches that don't break the $10 mark.

Lincoln
* - Complete inventory: Tons of bottled water, Mountain Dew, Coke, three sticks of butter, a lone slice of pizza well past its prime, some milk firmly in the "questionable" category. An empty freezer.