Sunday, October 31, 2021

'Tis the Season

 











“Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen,
Voices whisper in the trees, Tonight is Halloween!”  

Dexter Kozen

Friday, August 06, 2021

Florida Governor Ron Desantis

 


There is no other way to say this. Florida Governor Desantis is running for President and his primary platform is being build with the bodies of Florida citizens who have and will die of Covid-19. 

When schools open in Florida later this month, the bodies that pile up will begin to include more and more children.

This political behavior is criminal. However, as we learned during the Trump administration, such actions are not going to lead to justice, responsibility or retribution.

But aren't voters who stick with these criminals guilty of "after the fact" crimes.

We have heard every excuse, every flag-waving stupidity. But MAGA idolatry continues to warp the minds and souls of brain-washed followers.

Not a single reputable medical expert on the planet . . . oh, nevermind, you've heard it all before. Unfortunately, you are among those who don't need to hear and heed the truth. 

Remember, Jonestown.




Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Dystopia 2023

 


Today there are warning signs that literally no one in a position of authority is paying any attention to. Let's review today's news.

-The U.S. administration is prepared to require all federal workers to either be vaccinated or be subject to testing.

-The U.S. CDC has reversed policy on masking indoors and in schools.

-The U.S. vaccination rate has hit a wall of vaccine resistant ideology. 

-The Delta variant is now transmitting at levels not seen since the beginning of the pandemic.

                                                        ~

First, those 'facts' relate only to the richest country on the planet, a country with roughly a 50% vaccination coverage and an oversupply of available vaccine. But Covid is not a country by country disease. Medically, we are one planet.

Second, absolutely nothing that is being done today or has been done in the past is enough to prevent a worldwide disaster. The incremental policy reactions of individual national governments is an attempt to put out a raging fire with a dixie cup and a dripping faucet.

Here are my 'facts' and my predictions of what will transpire over the next two years.

First and foremost, Covid variants will accelerate because less than half of the world's population has received at least one dose of a vaccine. Each and every person who contracts Covid can be the host for a new variant. To this point the available vaccines have been mostly effective against variants. There is no reason to believe this will continue to be the case.

If we look continent by continent: Europe has administered 84 doses per 100 adults. Since many vaccines require two doses, this translates to less than 50% fully protected. North America is only slightly behind at 82 shots per 100 eligible adults. Africa, on the other hand, has a current vacc-rate of 4.6 per 100.

A mass Covid outbreak anywhere on the planet creates a human petri dish for new, more virulent variants. Variants get on planes and spread throughout the world. Plus variants spawn other variants, which will eventually outstrip the protection of the vaccines.

Governments are not doing enough. They can't. There is simply too much resistance both culturally and politically Just this morning, Speaker Nancy Pelosi reinstated the mask requirement for the floor of the U.S. Congress. Her republican counter part Kevin McCarthy claimed this has an attempt by "liberal officials who want us to live in a perpetual pandemic state." The Speaker then call McCarthy a moron. These are the people we expect to act sensibly regarding a deadly worldwide pandemic?

Okay, let's skip forward 24 months.

July 28, 2023

The U.S. Government today announced the completion of phase three of Operation Protect America. All U.S. military personnel have been successfully recalled from foreign bases. Those military members still in 60 day quarantine will be eligible for limited zone travel after their release. As of today, no travel will be allowed in or out of United States airports or ports. All international borders remain closed as well as the exclusion zones in the Southern continental U.S. 

Military aid to the conflicts in South America and Africa will remain suspended. Humanitarian aid by airdrop will continue from U.S. Naval ships stationed off the continental coast of those countries. Any U.S. citizens still in foreign countries will not be allowed to reenter the country after midnight tonight. All U.S. passports are suspended.

All medical facilities remain under federal authority per the December 2022 Federal Pandemic Act. Vaccinations for the Signa and Nova variants remain available to essential workers and those in classes A1 through A9. Boosters for all other vaccination groups are recommended and available to all citizens with vaccination security cards.

Marshall Law and curfews remain in effect on a county by county basis as mandated in the Travel and Movement Acts of April 2022.


Friday, July 16, 2021

Rest In Peace Gator


REPOST: This is a repost from June 2011.

July 16, 2021: A friend is attending a funeral today for her friend who "got a gun and took his life." I learned of this news while listening to an NPR interview from 2016 with Anthony Bourdain. Seems like a good time to repost this piece about our dear friend Randy.

                                                                   ~

2011: A good friend died this week. He took his own life. We are all shocked and saddened by his passing and we are all asking ourselves - why? Which is to say, we are having the normal human reaction to such an unnecessary loss.

I am not going to praise him here, most of you did not know him. For those who did, we will find the time and place to share our memories. Today I am going to do something in his honor.

This is for our lost friend.

If you read this blog and you have my phone number then I ask should you ever feel so lost, so alone that you consider leaving us, I beg you to use that number and call me. If you read this blog and you don't have my phone number then I ask that you call that person today, the one who you talk to when times are darkest. Call them today and agree that should you ever walk too close to the edge, you will reach out to them. You make that promise in the light of day; promise you will cry out past the darkness. Make the promise, make it today.

My friend called me at times when he brushed against his demons and we would look at the world in ways only two friends in conversation could, I believe it helped. This time he didn't call and all of us are left to ask - why.

Rest in Peace Randy, we will miss you for a long, long time.

Monday, July 05, 2021

Rhabdomyolysis

 

                                

Warning: It may not be safe to go back into the gym.

Post Covid-19* some of us want or need to get back to an exercise regimen to regain our pre-pandemic svelte figures. This seems to be leading to an increase in what was a fairly rare syndrome - Rhabdo.

Rhabdomyolysis - a condition in which skeletal muscle tissue dies, releasing substances into the blood that cause kidney failure. Rhabdomyolysis is usually caused by a specific event. This is most commonly injury, overexertion, infection, drug use, or certain medications. 


Current cause of new Rhabdo cases - people rushing back to an exercise program after a year+ of pandemic lockdown. Slowly easing back into exercise is a much safer option.

                             


Here's a link to a Washington Post article on Rhabdomyolysis and post-Covid* exercise.

Bottom line, we all have a medically viable excuse to slowly merge back into our slothful lifestyles. A little exercise is good, a lot can kill you. However, I have been told that almond croissants for breakfast can cause other syndromes, so as with all things - moderation is the key.



                            

*and it needs to be said - we are not yet POST-Covid. Stay safe out there.

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Images of Me (7)

 


From the early 80s, Chris claims to still have that dress. I do not have the chapeau nor the tie.

Saturday, May 01, 2021

Ann Arbor @ Curbside (April)

 


Vestergaard Farms (4408 S. Wagner, Ann  Arbor)  This little retail outlet is a fantastic conglomeration of a good bakers dozen of food sources. They raise beef, pork and chicken organically and have all variations of cuts, mostly frozen. In addition, they have Maddy J's bread, barbeque sauce from both Firehouse 52 and Hotel Hickman, olive oil from  Stamatopolos and probably serveral other local food vendors. Plus, they have a new highly recommended addition of frozen quiches from The Bakewell Company. Take a look at the Bakewell website for a truly mouth-watering dozen offerings. Vestergaard's is the only local outlet for these tasty pies.  *We doubled down on Vestergaard Farms with another quiche, this time the Carmelized Onion, Potato and Smoked Gouda - just Yum!

El Harissa Market (1516 N. Maple Rd., Ann Arbor) No indoor dining but all the favorites and a few additions to the wide range of "flavors of North Africa" menu. The gelato is also available, as well as a wide range of condiments and staples for cooking at home. The menu is heavily but not completely vegetarian. The feta cheese dip is wonderful with their bag of pita bread.

Juicy Kitchen (1506 Maple Rd., Ann Arbor) Just a few doors down from El Harissa is Juicy Kitchen. Currently 9 am - 2 pm; online, phone or outdoor ordering with staff on the sidewalk. The Juicy menu is extensive, with both a breakfast and lunch menus. Some items vary day to day, like our favorite quiches, but you can call ahead for the flavor combination of the day. Juicy Kitchen items are also offered at Argus Farm Stop and White Lotus Farms.

Everest Sherpa (2803 Oak Valley Dr., Ann Arbor)  Another repeat, though it has been awhile, too long to be away from the Himalayan delights at Everest Sherpa. Their ordering and curbside pickup works efficiently. I went with a medium spice chicken curry, unlike other venues the mild, medium, hot levels here are accurate. The dishes are fairly priced and the Nan is cheap.

TMaz (2529 Dexter Ave., Ann Arbor) We tried the location closer to us and discovered really tasty Gorditas with a wide range of filling choices. The chorizo and or green chili pork are my choices, but there are at least six or eight other options. The guacamole side order is generous for five bucks.

4/28/2021: Taking a break from curbside write-ups, while one of us ventures South to Florida, back to Ann Arbor foodie reviews this summer.

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Images of Me (6)

 


Yes, that is me with one of my nieces or nephews. 

I'm sure the appropriate mother will ID the infant in the comment section. 

Thursday, April 01, 2021

Ann Arbor @ Curbside (March)



March reviews - Many more munchables to share as Michigan winter gives way to quickly warming spring.


JJ Crab House (2871 Carpenter Road, Ann Arbor)  Back in July the same folks ran Naked Burrito at this location. Clearly they have changed their food focus. We had the Shrimp Hibachi, with soup, salad and rice. And an outstanding Shrimp dinner off the seafood menu. The don't really explain that the seafood menu items are served as a boil but that is not a complaint. Lots of potatoes, corn, sausage and lots of shrimp bathed in garlic butter. The boil is easily two meals Also offered are a deep-fried menu and half a dozen family big feast options.

Star's Cafe (2375 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor) A repeat from just last month, we were and remain impressed by the menu at Star's Cafe. We went lighter this time with a Spinach Pie Plate and a Meat Pie Plate. Still a good value and really flavorful eats.

Cornman Farms (8540 Island Lake Road, Dexter) Another repeat, we had the fish fry back in September. This time we grabbed two yummy "Pie & Mash" options, the Wednesday weekly specials in March. Chickpea Tikka Masala and Chicken Tikka Masala. Both meals had outstanding, flaky crust on the pies, well season with truly memorable ginger/lemon carrots on the side. Look for more monthly popups at Cornman Farms. BTW, that's the pie&mash in the photo at the top of this month's post.

Monahan's Seafood (Kerrytown, Ann Arbor) Besides the best fresh fish in town, Monahan's has a great lunch menu (11-3). We went with the soup/chowder of the day, a saffron fish chowder and the deep-fried shrimp with fries, a standard menu item. On this day, we didn't stock up at the other shops, which is usually a good idea when venturing out to Kerrytown. We do suggest phoning in your order for easy pick-up in person or at curbside.

Leo's Coney Island (locations) Leo's is a local chain, though with nearly 70 stores, it ain't exactly Mom & Pop. I have an affinity for loose hamburgers with chili, onions and yellow mustard. Though I would rather be at the Lafayette Coney in Detroit, that's a long way to drive for nostalgia purposes and a ten minute lunch. The salmon burger, I know at a Coney restaurant with salmon? but it was good and the onion rings on the side were a large order for a standard price. 

We've decided to expand our coverage to include several stores/deli's/food-to-go options available to us here in the Ann Arbor food cornucopia. This was prompted by a bread discussion, which came down to there simply being so many, too many bakery options. We begin this exploration with shopping spree at Argus Farm Stop.

Argus Farm Stop (325 W. Liberty St. or 1200 Packard Rd., both Ann Arbor) First, the breads. Argus receives bread from at least five different bakeries on a rolling weekly schedule. Our only complaint in this review is that the bread schedule is not on the website. We picked up a truly wonderful Olive Levain loaf from White Lotus Farms and a Potato Rosemary selection from Crust Bakery. Then there was the Fruit & Quinoa salad with mixed greens, toasted walnuts, goat cheese, shaved fennel, red grapefruit, pineapple with a white baslamic dressing. The salad comes from Juicy Kitchen here in Ann Arbor another stop/review for later. Add to that two slices of quiche (roasted pepper & manchego and butternut/shishito) for lunch the next day and some Kim Chi from The Brinery, also in Ann Arbor. I did say this was a shopping spree: we added Greek olive oil from Stamatopoulis & Sons (they have an outlet in Dexter). And finally, a bit of Mindo's chocolate, also a Dexter by way of Equador product.

Zingerman's Deli (Kerrytown, Ann Arbor) Yes a repeat,perhaps a re-repeat; Zingerman's in all its extensions is seemingly everywhere in Ann Arbor. But we had to try the olive bread, which is not always on the bakery menu, along with another favorite at our house, the scrumptious English muffins. While I was there, it felt only right to lunch on a massive pastrami sandwich and pickup a bottle of olive oil. 

Monday, March 15, 2021

Images of Me (5)

 


One of many images of the Poker Boyz at Binion's in downtown Las Vegas. This one is circa 2010.

Monday, March 01, 2021

Ann Arbor @ Curbside (February)

 


A short cold month, needs more hot food . . .

Knight's (2324 Dexter Ave., Ann Arbor) Well, we made it to one of the Knight's restaurants. Even though Michigan is back to limited indoor dining, we are not. Curbside pickup for a blackened, moist, thick slab of salmon dinner with super rich vegetable ravioli. Second meal - a stick-to-the-ribs meatloaf dinner, mashed potatoes and mixed steamed veggies. You can call Knight's half-an-hour before pickup, lunch and dinner menus available.

Tmaz Taqueria (3182 Packard, Ann Arbor) While we happened to be around and about the Southeast part of town, we remembered a previous visit to Tmaz. Standard Mexican-American faire at decent prices. To-go, curbside or delivery. Being in the neighborhood we stopped by, if you do visit be sure to peruse the most interesting sweet treats on the shelves while waiting. Strange what sweet tooths will consume to satisfy the urge. The enchiladas and tacos we ordered were well above average, both the black beans or refried and rice were excellent. A top notch variety of sauces are available.

DJ's Bakery (3031 Packard, Ann Arbor) Same road trip as the Tmaz review above. DJ's is often mentioned in reviews of best bakeries in the area. They are known for stuff pretzels, unstuffed pretzels, dozens of other sweet tasty treats and apple fritters. Everyone makes apple fritters, which means I cannot explain why they are better at DJ's, but they are.

Satchel's BBQ (3035 Washtenaw Ave. Ann Arbor) A Super Bowl feast. The smoked salmon was excellent as were the BBQ sausages. The sides were well above average with particular kudos to the cole slaw and the mac&cheese. Good quantities on all items with plenty left over for a Monday lunch.

Domino's (many locations) Hey, I had a coupon. Besides I like double cheese, pepperoni with lite sauce. Plus, the Pacific Veggie pie has a ton of veggies.

Star's Cafe (2575 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor) Big props to this new find. Well, new to us but from the crowd around dinner time, the word is already out. Star's is middle-eastern with a great selection and large portions. We tried the Chicken Shawerma and the Cauliflower Plate, both were excellent with enough food for a second meal; same goes for the large salad. Our only complaint is the website which is just a photograph of the menu with no way to enlarge it. Fix the website but don't change the food. Oh, and did I mention good prices too.


February 21-26 was Ann Arbor Restaurant Week. We sampled a few after several hours of menu perusal and mouth-watering debate. 

Zingerman's Roadhouse (2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor) Most of the participants in Restaurant Week have special menu items for dining in. This year many of the eateries also tweaked their take-out/curbside offerings. We had the Harvest Pasta and the Herbed Whitefish entrees. Both came with a Ricotta Bruschetta appetizer and a biscuit blueberry bread pudding dessert.

Palio (347 S. Main St., Ann Arbor) We went for the Date Night Dinner for Two. Nice salad followed by Capellini Di Gamberi Scampi and Salmon Piccati, we like salmon a lot. Dessert was Tiramisu, a large portion. I must say the curbside was fast and efficient even if the other curbside drivers were lacking in certain parking etiquette. Oh and the dinner included a bottle of wine, white or red.

We've been asked - "Why are all the reviews positive?" We made a decision early on to simply not review disappointing meals. This is not Yelp!

January 2021 reviews

December reviews

November reviews

October reviews

September reviews

August reviews

July 2020 reviews


Monday, February 15, 2021

Monday, February 01, 2021

Ann Arbor @ Curbside (January)

 


Chela's (693 S. Maple, Ann Arbor) I can't believe its been six months since we did a pick-up at Chela's. Head and shoulders our favorite Mexican menu in the area. The downtown location remains closed due to Covid. The Dexter location is open five days a week for pick-up, all seven days for the Ann Arbor store. Be sure to check the "daily special" link from the online menu, a great deal. I seem to gravitate to the 'build your own burrito' option. I suggest getting it loaded.

Knight's (locations) Knight's has three restaurant locations and a market. We have not, as yet, done a curbside with either of the Ann Arbor restaurants but just down the hill from us is the Knight's Market. We often drop by the Market for small items when we are cooking at home and we also take advantage of their pre-prepared dishes. This month we sampled a couple of the frozen pasties. Big, flaky crusts loaded with savor chicken and veggies or the full-on veggie option.

Metzger's (305 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor) I was surprised to discover the non-German side of the Metzger's menu. While I went for my standard Bratwurst with Spatzen and Red Cabbage, we also ordered the deep-fried perch and looked longingly at the Smoked Salmon Pasta. While we were at the strip mall, we couldn't help but stop two doors down at our old favorite Grand Traverse Pie for a couple of small pies (peach, strawberry & rhubarb). Who put those two luscious food options only 50 feet apart?

Seva (2541 Jackson Ave. Westgate Center, Ann Arbor) Gouda Puff appetizer, Beyond Burger and Fries finished with a dense slice of Chocolate Olive Oil cake. Oh and Pad Thai for the other diner. All of this on a generous holiday gift card. Seva is clearly our choice for veggie, vegan dining options.

No Thai (locations) Yes, another appearance by No Thai. We are averaging about once a month from there, which might be all you need to know. The Drunken Noodles remain my go-to order and the Spring Rolls. The various veggie choices have been tried and we begin a second time around those options. The online ordering allows the customer to select protein and spice level in most selections, so you can customize most dishes into veggie or vegan. I must add that we had a problem with our order, due to no fault of No Thai, but they went above and beyond to fix the problem and comped our order.

Avalon (120 E. Liberty St.) To the question: 'where would you like to go to brunch?' We would answer Avalon. Also a good answer for breakfast or lunch. Alas, the truly unique menu from Avalon does not travel well, either for curbside or delivery. But we missed it, so we had one of the burgers (hoping it would travel well) and one of the interesting grain/green bowls. All I can say about Avalon is that we miss it a lot and will be there as soon as Covid breaks. Come to think of it, there are at least three more of our dining favorites that we just can't bring ourselves to try take-out, some dishes just need to be whisked in front of a seated patron.

It has been pointed out to me that my reviews are seriously oriented to the curbside necessities of the pandemic, but perhaps lack sufficient commentary on the actual food. I have attempted this month to expand my words to include more menu directed commentary.

December Reviews

Thursday, January 28, 2021

A Modest Question

 


 "Can you impeach someone who is no longer in office?"


First, set aside that Trump has already been impeached by the House. Yes, technically, the question is - can he be convicted. 

My thoughts go to the Republicans and apparently at least one Democrat who will vote to acquit based on the logic that you can't impeach someone who is out of office. It would seem that as it stands there are reasonable though twisted legal arguments from both sides. The Constitution does not speak to this circumstance.

"Republican senators and some legal scholars have said that Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate cannot proceed now that he is once again a private citizen. But many scholars have said that Trump's return to private life poses no impediment to an impeachment trial." -Yahoo News

So, here is my question.

I believe we have these institutions we called courts. And I believe, some of them are courts of appeal. And one of them, the Supreme one, makes all of its rulings based on what they interpret the constitution to allow or not.

Why not ask first before tying up the Senate with a potentially non-event?

Before going through all the machinations of a trial and with this glaring loophole for those senators seeking to duck and cover. Why not ask the Supreme Court to rule on whether or not a former President can indeed be tried in the Senate for high crimes and misdemeanors committed while in office but now out of office.

This gives the Senate time to consider the Biden appointments. And, it means, if the court says yes, the big dodge will be removed from any cowardly senator who wants to vote none of the above. If they say no, then move on, the court has spoken. Let's get those vaccines in arms, fix the bridges and save the polar bears.

Really, why not just ask first?

Monday, January 25, 2021

Flashbacks

 


Last month, I mentioned to several friends (in bcc'd email) that I had a 40 year flashback to the last few days of 1980. I was making a landing on the Cape Hope at the Southern tip of Chile on 12/30/80, after spending the previous three weeks expedition touring Antarctica. At midnight the following night [12/31/80-1/1/81], we were somewhere over the Caribbean Sea on the way to Miami.

I asked if anyone else had year-end memories from 40 or 50 or 17 or any years ago. I received some very interesting responses, I offer a selection here.

"Fifty-three years ago this week, sharing a very cheap hotel room in cold, rainy Rome."

" . . . a day off, vegging out at the apartment very likely watching a bowl game."

"Five years ago, I was on a dinner cruise of Lake Como, Italy; before heading to a wedding the Switzerland."

"I spent 1944 New Year's evening looking forward my marriage the following day."

"In recent years, I have come to like nothing better than to mark the midnight hour with a glass of champagne - in bed!"

"40 years ago we were just back from bicycling across North America, Vancouver to Boston."

"New Year's Day 30 years ago, taking my first husband to rehab; New Year's Eve 19 years ago, welcoming my first son with my second husband."

"A little over 40 years ago we lived on the cable car line and met you."

"40 years ago, I was -8 years old, living in the Great Before."

"I'm typically asleep to ring in the new year."

"On NYE, I was 11 months into being a widow, and very surprised to find myself leaving the year of my husband's death with great reluctance."

"Forty-seven years ago, newly married and moving to Rapid City, South Dakota."

"Pregnant and . . . well just about covers it."

and I got a photo from a friend of her with her father in Central Park, New York on New Year's Eve 50 years ago.

and and no, that picture above is not from Antarctica, but it is of another long ago memory . . . 


Monday, January 18, 2021

Images of Me (3)

 


Let's call this the "up-north" January edition from a few Michigan winters ago. Me and my buddy Opus, before my cataract surgery and apparently after his shower. The red jacket is from a 1980 trip to Antarctica (picture of that adventure to follow).

This is the "down-south" January photo, also from several winters ago.





Friday, January 15, 2021

In Praise of Sloth

 


They told me to stay home - I can do that.

They said to have others deliver my food - that works.

No more movie theaters or concerts, binge only - no please not Netflix and my sofa.

No large gatherings - I wasn't really that fond of all those people anyway.

Work from home - what and avoid all that freeway time?
Zoom it - wait, I only have to dress from the waist up? [and put important book titles on the shelf behind me]

You see, I take easily to sloth. All those societal niceties and formalities are on hold, here's hoping some of them never come back. 

Online food ordering has gotten better and better. 
Smart restaurant websites are tweaked for all kinds of consumer friendly reasons. 
No plastic utensils - make that a checkbox.
Give reasonable options for the tip - 10% 15% 20%. Though in these times 20% is the right choice.

Grocery pickup and/or delivery; this may forever change how we shop. By the way, a delivery fee is understandable, but a pickup fee is not. And, if you are offering a note-leaving option for my order - read the damn note!

That being said - I take easily to sloth. I do not understand cabin fever, after all there are multiple commercial entities begging to bring me a wide variety of food and all the chocolate I need.



Monday, January 11, 2021

Some Post Holiday Thoughts

 


Not to flout the holiday season, I delayed this post for over a month but its been an interesting year all around and I've been reflecting on some long ago times with some old friends and distant memories. This lyric stanza from John Prine has crystalized my thoughts.


Your flag decal won't get you

Into Heaven any more.

They're already overcrowded

From you dirty little war.

Now Jesus don't like killin' 

No matter what the reason for,

And your flag decal won't get you

Into Heaven any more.



R.I.P. John Prine





Monday, January 04, 2021

Ann Arbor @ Curbside (December)

 



Five reviews with a double dip this month.

Pilar's Tamales (2261 West Liberty St. Ann Arbor) A new one for us and a menu that will need several more tries to get a full sampling of their alluring victuals. We recommend the Perfect Pair Special, chose one tamale and one pupusa from the great variety of each. [curbside pickup]

Cottage Inn (multiple locations) Although one of us is very fond of certain of their toasted sandwiches, we order two pizzas: a veggie with a pesto swirl and a double pepperoni for me. With four locations in Ann Arbor, one in Saline and another in Ypsilanti; Cottage Inn covers our area. Delivery can get backed up in these curbside & delivery days but they make a really good pie. [delivery]

Ann Arbor Farmer's Market (@Kerrytown) The winter months are tricky at the local Farmer's Market. Some food trucks appear or not. Of course, the vendors vary a bit based on weather and availability of product. We grabbed some soup fixin's and a lunch snack at one of the trucks. And maybe some raw honey, a loaf of fresh bread and some lovely looking chard for a homemade soup. [pickup]

Monahan's Seafood Market (in Kerrytown) Expect more appearances by Monahan's in our future. Round One: The various parchment wrapped fish options can be pre-ordered. We grabbed a pint of the really full-bodied clam chowder, we got there too late (this week) for the lobster chowder. Round Two: we picked up two parchment wrapped entries (Tilapia & Salmon) A+ for both. Warning with the busy holiday season they are now taking orders a day in advance for these items. Daily lunch service runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. if you are after the chowder or the ever tempting fish-and-chips plus many other prepared yummies. [pickup]

Aroma (221 W. Liberty) Aroma is a new Indian restaurant, one of three we will be trying over the next several weeks (or months). The menu is extensive with over 80 selections not including appetizers, drinks or desserts. We will definitely be trying Aroma again. One complaint, the "mild" level on the spices is not mild by any stretch of the taste buds. Its at least medium and if you are not a spice fan (we are) you should go with no spice at all. Still, a new taste treat, well worth a visit. [curbside pickup]

November Reviews