ORIGINAL AMERICAN ACRYLIC PAINTING: A PEACEFUL BEACH CAN CONVEY COMFORT
...painting is like cooking or making soup: both require creative applications and the recipes may require adjustments and alterations...
When I paint I do not cook. My brain requires a single highway these days when it comes to creative pursuits. When it was being used to make daily decisions as an 11-7 shift Charge RN in a very busy Intensive Care Unit... many moons ago...it could compartmentalize and switch gears at lightening speed...no more.
...but that is okay...today taking more time to be methodical in problem solving is necessary when pursuing the business of teaching myself to paint these many years...alone.
So if cooking is left to others to feed the stomach and the soul...much experimentation is needed in finding fab restaurants with fab healthy food to enjoy on site and bring the rest home to make new meals!
As a winter germophobe who never dines out during flu and cold season, I lose weight in winter - to be joyfully re-gained during the delightful dining out May - September summer season! Yay! What with good apps, a fab dinner, two marvelous martinis and yummy dessert, how can one not gain some weight!? Thankfully...lost again in winter.
Here are a few places - not in any particular order - that we enjoy in late spring through late summer dining out season:
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Hanover Street Chophouse - Manchester NH
After visiting the Currier Museum of Art - another favorite for the last 8 or so years - as it transitioned 6 years ago from the original owner Chuck Rolecek to the current owner Steven Clutter, both running a very successful business...with nary a miss on the quality and service. Hanover Street is always very busy no matter the time or day of the week and reservations are a must! Valet parking available. They have a huge wine cellar and their own bourbon along with the most well known bourbons...although Pappy...has taken a long nap and has not been available for a very long time...
For me, it has just about the best crab cake app, while hubs likes the bacon wrapped sea scallops or the prime meatballs app. My husband has tried all the steaks, and I have stayed faithful to the flavorful hanger steak - eating just a bit to make room for...their mini dessert plate that includes the Howie named after Howie Carr, who although has since had a lap band...still indulges in smaller amounts.
In the past we have sat at the Governor's Table booth, but in recent years with my phobias and the need to take standing breaks... have preferred to dine at their cozy granite bar higher up and closer to the door...I know...I know...something about being closer to the door...
There, you can still enjoy the full menu - raw bar and all. You will be met by the very able, friendly and experienced bar tender Karen with a yummy basket of breads and olive oil, while Dan can be seen just as busy...both have been there at least 6 years...
Will write more about this later...
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Joseph's Tattoria & Bakery Cafe - Haverhill MA
Mamma Mia what a place! ...been there a long time but new to us up untill summer 16...wait till I tell you about this gem! ..in a couple of months will write...maybe in the winter during my germophobic non dining out season...
Ithaki in Ipswich see the "Seeking Serenity...." blog below...
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Amalfi in Salem NH...an Italian ristorante we've enjoyed for many years...owned by the husband and wife partners Gerald and Sandra from the old country. Table cloths are present...and from time to time young high school age...extremely talented classical violinists...in the main dining room to the right. To the left is their very busy horse shoe marble bar and half a dozen cozy alcoves!
Oh the sauce! The best traditonal rollatini evah! Delicious lightly breaded eggplant with the best red sauce around...although they have "white" selections too. Warm bread and balsamic olive oil... I always get my fave Chicken Danielle with artichoke hearts and pasta. Hubs likes to try the whole menu and specials...always very pleased with our choices. Good wine and martini selections made by the very apt Erin who is always aware of the busy guests' needs and Adrienne, both of which have been there for years.. After apps and dinner, you should see their huge dessert tray brought to you to tantalize and take the guessing out of your selections. A delightful dining experience!
They are always extremely busy with their frequent loyal diners enjoying a full menu. You will be greeted by the expertly coiffed Sandra...who always wears beautiful floor length gowns. ...haven't seen that since sadly missed Hedda at the once open Boston's long closed and missed old world restaurant...Cafe Budapest...
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Samuel's at historic Andover Inn...Jackie O stayed there when she visited John...at Phillips Academy...offers an impeccably crafted menu, marvy martinis and courteous service. The Brisket Slider or Crab Cakes apps are always good and the Pomegranate Short Ribs (beef of course) are toe curling. Bob's French Martini to die for...while the fellas may like the Dark N' Stormy...finish the meal off by sharing the Peanut Butter Cup Croissant Bread Pudding...oh my.... Even though bread pudding has always been a no-no in my book...bread pudding is starting to "make good" at certain foodie restaurants these days... A must for us after spending a couple of hours at my favorite museum: The Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy.
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Allora Ristorante in Marlboro MA, although an 85+ mile round trip for us...is a Spring and Summer must. The Crab Cakes app with lemon aioli is my most fave and their Rollatini is not the usual: no fried eggplant...instead, a thinly sliced eggplant piece is delicately wrapped around the Ricotta and sauce... The Braised Beef Shortribs...must be feeling a bit anemic craving all this lean beef lately...and Lamb dishes to perfection. The arugula salad is the best! With crumbled feta cheese, reduced fig glaze, figs... oh myyyy.....!
...And then there is Tom...yes...Tall Tanned Tom... who has owned a few restaurants...has an eidetic memory when it comes to his guests' martini faves... at the bi level Allora horseshoe bar..where he holds court. His creation the Killer Bees martini is "molto buon" or as he would say "shad habor" (misspelled here - no doubt)... while the fellas may like a briny manly martini with three blue cheese hand stuffed queen olives...yum... You can watch Tom infuse vodka with various fruits...simultaneously take multiple dinner orders... craft any martini or invent any combination by request...as long as it does not include St. Germain...triple sigh... Mama mia...what talent!
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For many years, in Portsmouth NH - The Library Restaurant at the Rockingham - a historic mansion built in 1785 turned hotel - now private residences...where Presidents George Washington, Teddy Rosevelt, John Kennedy, et al once slept...has been another favorite 80 mile round trip...and is always worth the drive for lunch or dinner. At one point the renovations cost more than the entire Portsmouth Naval Yard! Holy moly!
While the historic dining room with its hand painted panels is a must...the Library Lounge...yes...beaucoup books to read on the walls... with the nine stool cozy historic bar which is always full. Not to worry,...there are tables against the walled bookcases, a varied menu and courteous service to enjoy. I have sketched my hubby sitting across from me in years past. The martini menu is contained in a small bound notebook to make your head spin with decisions...alas...although quite capable of consuming more without a wobble...two and only two is my choice consumptiom for the evening....calories...calories...calories.
It is still the only place to eat Artichoke-not-too-cheesy-Dip in that fabulous glorious delicious bread bowl...calories...calories...calories...extra hour on the bike...extra hour on the bike...extra hour on the bike... How fun to own a condo upstairs and come downstairs to this historic restaurant... Some residents do.
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Venetian Moon Ristorante and Martini Bar in Reading MA has been another favorite these past 12 years owned by Lisa, et al. The Sauteed Artichoke Hearts and Boneless Filet Mignon never disappoint. Praising Prociutto is not my usual, but the Venetian Carozza app with the Prociutto blanketing the artichoke hearts sitting on a bed of arugula and other baby greens accompanied by the yummy delicate drizzle of fig balsamic...yum... Hubs liked the Fusilli Ultimo and we shared a small Salt Carmel Crunch Cake slice.
...But before all this is to be enjoyed a delectable martini starts the "date". At times it's good to look to the bartender for menu and martini suggestions... Paul, in one of his dozens of classic Hawaiian shirts, presides over a very long well stocked bar to shake any martini the heart desires. More than 70---yikes! There is a lot of shaking to be heard amidst the happy dining guests. Paul makes the best Union of Crowns, and yes with St. Germaine...yay... or Lemon Gimlet Martini and his professional attention to all this guests peppered with interesting tidbits of the day, makes for a most enjoyable evening. The food is always delish, the owner and staff have always been most professional. Walking distance from the Reading Art Association Spring and Fall Art Shows.
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Take out only:
Now for the down to the salt of the earth food: Living up here in New England, there are not a lot of cattle running around to make for real Texas BBQ. After a few decades of searching, only to be disappointed year...after year... after decade...even enjoying the pleasure of the Neiman Marcus mail order food catalog to provide good Texas brisket...ah yes...one can indulge in lots of delights from Neiman's Gourmet Foods Catalog...still one just craves the "smoke" in person.
No...not grilled...not over cooked...errr charred to cancer causing proportions with propane nor noxious starter fluid... which is the usual in these parts...just the real wood smoked thing! Brisket must be cooked low and slow with real wood...if not in a real brick smoke house out back...at least in a huge genuine Texas smoker! It is so good that it should NOT need "a rub" nor any sauce...that is how good smoked slow cooked brisket shoud be! No bbq pig or chicken for this gal...NEVER!
...there is a place...might share that with you later...
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All the left over food from our fave places comes home and finds its way in small amounts over beds of bountiful beautiful vegetables drizzled with extra virgin oilve oil when topped with tidbits of these left overs.
This is what feeds the stomach in small amounts...and then back to painting...
All images design concept content text are original and solely owned by Mimi Dee and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. August 17, 2015