Play it again Sam

We watched Casablanca over the weekend and both enjoyed it very much.We watch closely waiting for the "famous" misquoted line "Play it Again Sam". Not there I say!. The closest and almost right-on phrase is "Play it, Sam". I am very happy to have watched it and doing a minimal amount of research on the Web. If you haven't seen Casablanca, i recommend you do -- it is one of the great old classics.


ATTENTION to my faithful readers:

My last post was a month ago tomorrow, March 17th. I have decided to take a sabbatical from the blog for a while. No reason other than the lack of inspiration.

Who knows, i may change my mind is a few days if something catches my interest or my pallet finds a meal or a restaurant worthy of a post.

Don't go too far - I will be back at some point.

Also, just to let everyone know - if you ask me to be your friend on Facebook, you probably will not get a response from me. While i joined Facebook a couple of years ago, I never got wrapped up in the social networking scene and seldom look at it.

I am always happy to here from you via email or a phone call (unique idea).

Keep smiling and stay positive.

Friends

Lucia and me relaxing on the couch, a daily occurrence. Although she is normally passed out on my lap taking a nap.

News Flash - 2/15/2013

METEOR STRIKE IN CENTRAL RUSSIA drove Lucia into hiding when she heard the TV news announcement about the meteor today. It took us a while to convince her we do not live in Russia and she did not need to be protected from objects falling from the sky.  

Lucia in hiding

Sunset from my Balcony

Living on the 5 floor of my apartment building and facing to the west, I have the opportunity to watch some beautiful Florida Sunsets. Last Friday, February 1, 2013 I happened to see a beautiful and colorful sunset while Frank and I were preparing dinner. I rushed to get the camera, stepped onto my balcony, and snapped a few shots. Of the bunch, I liked this one the best. Enjoy !

From Skyline 5th
February 1, 2013

Weekend Roundup

This weekend's activities (all food related) included two fixed-at-home dinners and a first try at a previously untasted/untested ice cream shop in downtown St. Petersburg.

Friday evening found us at my apartment preparing Penne alla Vodka preceded by a classic shrimp cocktail. Recipes will follow at the end of this post. The pasta dish was very tasty and easy to prepare, but I thought it called for too much prosciutto. Next time I will cut back on the quantity. Plus I have never had Penne alla Vodka prepared with prosciutto before, I think you could leave it out if so inclined. 

Saturday evening after a nice lunch at Alesia, and back at my apartment,  we started preparing Irish Butter-Poached Scallops with Leeks and Sweet Garden Peas from the St. Supery Winery newsletter, (included with Wine Club shipment and on their website. I made the gremolata a couple of hours ahead just to get it out of the way. Then I made the clarified butter (Irish Butter, of course). We used large sea scallops (U-10's; about 10 scallops to a pound). While this was more complex than the Penne alla Vodka, it was a winner, a keeper, and worth the effort to prepare.

Finally, on Sunday, after a nice lunch at 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House, we skipped our usual desert stop at Paciugo on Beach Drive and tried out a different Ice Cream and Chocolate shops on 4th Avenue North, about 1/2 block off Beach - Sweet Divas. I still love my gelato, but this was some excellent ice cream. I had their Butter Pecan and Madagascar Vanilla Bean, and Frank had the Chocolate Amaretto with the Madagascar Vanilla Bean. All were very good. 

Oink, and that is all I'm saying.

Penne Alla Vodka

as found on the Web

•                Prep Time: 5 mins

•                Total Time: 15 mins

•                Servings: 6

•                 

•              *tip* squeeze the tomatoes to drain them so the sauce isn't watery"

Ingredients

◦                                  3 tablespoons butter

◦                                  3 -4 cloves garlic, chopped finely

◦                                  1 cup thinly sliced prosciutto

◦                                  1 (28 ounce) cans whole tomatoes, drained and chopped

◦                                  1/2 cup heavy cream

◦                                  1/4 cup vodka ( only a kind you would drink)

◦                                  salt and pepper

◦                                  1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes

◦                                  1 lb penne pasta

◦                                  3/4 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Directions

1.            In a wide pot big enough to hold all the pasta and sauce, melt the butter.

2.            add the garlic and cook until golden brown.

3.            stir in the proscuitto and cook for a a minute or two.

4.            add the tomatoes, crushed pepper, pepper and salt.

5.            simmer for 5 minutes.

6.            stir in the cream and cook for 2 minutes stirring alot.

7.            add the vodka and cook until it no longer smells strongly of vodka (about 3-5 minutes).

8.            cook the pasta as directed on box but al dente.

9.            add the pasta to the pot with the sauce and mix until it is all coated over the pasta.

toss with the cheese and serve immediately.

Irish Butter-Poached Scallops with Leeks and Sweet Garden Peas (from the St. Supery Winery newsletter)

Makes 6 servings

For gremolata:

·      1 cup coarsely shredded dried breadcrumbs (We used Panko in lieu of breadcrumbs and it worked out fine)

·      2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil

·      Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

·      1 clove garlic, finely minced

·      Grated zest of 1 lemon

·      ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley or chives, (we opted for the chives – good)

·      For leeks and peas:

·      1 large leek, white and light green parts only, outer layers discarded and thinly sliced (3 to 3 ½ cups)

·      2 tablespoons unsalted butter

·      3 tablespoons crème fraîche or heavy cream

·      ¼ cup water

·      ½ teaspoon sea salt

·      7 grinds of black pepper

·      1¾ to 2 cups shelled fresh or frozen English peas

·      12 to 18 jumbo scallops, depending on everyone's appetite

·      Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

·      1 cup clarified Irish butter (see note below)

·      Grated zest and juice of 2 lemons

·      Watercress sprigs, for garnish

To make the gremolata: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the breadcrumbs in a small bowl, drizzle with the olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat evenly. Spread in a pie pan or small baking sheet and toast for 7 to 8 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Just before serving stir in the garlic, lemon zest, and parsley.

To prepare the leeks and peas: In a saucepan, combine the leek, butter, crème fraîche, water, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the leeks are a little tender and the sauce is reducing. Use your best judgment as to when to add the peas. If they are fresh but starchy they may take some time, so add them as soon as the leeks start to soften. If they are frozen, they may take just 2 to 3 minutes, so add them at the end. Shake the pan occasionally during cooking to change what is on the bottom of the pan with what is on the top. Cook until the vegetables are tender.

Once the vegetables are cooking, season the scallops on both sides with salt and pepper. In a big sauté pan (large enough to hold all of the scallops in a single layer), melt the butter (I think here is where you add the clarified butter which may not need to be melted if you just prepared it - my comments) over medium heat. When the butter is hot and foamy, add the scallops and poach gently for 3 to 5 minutes, basting as needed, until just done. They are ready when they feel just firm to the touch.

To serve, spoon the vegetables into individual deep plates or shallow soup bowls and top with the scallops. Add the lemon zest and juice to the butter from the scallop pan, then drizzle over the scallops. Sprinkle with some of the gremolata and garnish with the watercress.

Note on clarified butter: To make clarified butter, melt butter over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden but not browned. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve or a coffee filter into a heatproof container, leaving the milk solids behind in the sieve or filter.

Kudos to Bob

Our friend, Bob G., in his quest for 15 minutes of fame, snagged a big block of fame last Friday night. He was the driving force behind the "Windows on Broadway" review, performed at King of Peace church in St. Petersburg. Bob is an accomplished pianist responsible for much of the creativity for this production. The review included selections from Cabaret, Les Miserables, The Wiz, and My Fair Lady to name only a few. The singers were all great and entertaining as they performed to an almost sold out house. 


Thanks Bob, for all of the effort you put in to make this a memorable evening. 

New Apartment

I know you have seen this shot before, but if you click on it, you will be taken to the Picasa album with all (11) pictures from the new apartment - all in one spot.

Skyline Fifth

One More Photograph

This may be the last photograph of the apartment interior. This one is of the study/red room/guest room with Paul Tuten's painting which he did just for this room (at the condo)

Study
"Untitled" by Paul Tuten

A few thoughts on the move.
1. While I was not looking forward to the move as I had become very comfortable at the rental condo, I feel very comfortable here after just a week. One thing that helped was being able to get all my stuff in  this new space.
2. I think the space is actually cozier.
3. Paolo and Lucia adjusted relatively quickly to the change.
4. The move went well and relatively easy. The movers were good, but a little slower than expected. I'll take good and careful over speed.
5 I have a nice 5th floor view of West St. Petersburg, not quite to the beach.
6. I still have BrightHouse  Cable and Internet service, which is good, considering the option
7. There are trash chutes at either end of the hall on each floor.
8. The complex has a nice pool area, workout room, and social room with a full kitchen.
9. The dish washer is next to the sink, instead of across the kitchen like the old place. Notice it only too a week to be the "old" place.
10. Have I mentioned I like the new space.
11. We have dry cleaning and laundry pick up and delivery service

A few negative;
1. There is no covered parking. I do miss the garage, especially when it rains and the heat index is 103F like today
2. The washer and drier are apartment-sized. Smaller that normal capacity.
3. Carpet, no hardwood floors but I can live with that.

That's All I'm Saying (for now)

More Photographs from New Apartment

Here are 4 more photographs from the new abode.

The Buffet

Tuscan Sun Descending by Peter Stilton

Peter's Poem to Accompany the Painting

The Study (aka Guest Room or Red Room)

No More Boxes

Yes, it is true, all the boxes are unpacked and furniture is in place. The next major project is to arrange the kitchen drawers and cabinets. All items are placed "somewhere" in the kitchen, but I have to make sure I am comfortable where everything is placed. 

Here are a couple of photographs ( not great shots, but there will be more), of the living room. I think my furniture in this smaller space is working out very well and I am very comfortable living here. 

New Colors and the bookcases have been separated. 

Paolo on the couch, and Peter Stilton's "Tuscan Sun Descending"

Unpacking

The move on Friday was successful and the place is looking good thanks to Frank's organizational and decorating talents and his very hard work. I only have a couple more boxes to unpack; working on it a little at a time as I still get very fatigued quickly. I need to also thank Biff and Butch for their packing and unpacking help. All three were responsible for making this a successful move. 


I am already comfortable in the new digs, and I think Paolo and Lucia are slowly adjusting. In a few more days everything should be put away and ready for some photographs. So stay tuned.

Boxes, Boxes, Everywhere

Moving day is Friday

That's All I'm Saying

Time for a Change

Almost 3 years ago, I move to downtown St. Petersburg and fell in love with the urban experience almost immediately. I still enjoy the downtown life with all the restaurants and bay front close by. A couple of months after I moved in I found out that my leased condo unit had been on the market since February 2008. This spring I learned that the unit was listed for a short sale. Although the sale is still pending I cannot renew the lease, as the potential owners want to live in the unit, and not lease it out. So I started looking for another place to live. Finding a place in the downtown area proved to be more difficult that I ever expected. Availability in my acceptable price range was almost non-existent. 


So, I will be moving to a new apartment in the next couple of weeks. It is an older 11-story apartment building, which just reopened after a 30 - million renovation. While it is 3 miles from downtown, it had the space to hold my furniture and was in my price range. It will work out just fine, and I will be the first tenant in this unit, so that is good. I will post another blog after I get moved in.


Those who need my new address, will receive a separate email in a few days. I will be in the new location around August 1.

At Last

The Fresh Market finally opened in St. Petersburg last week. While it is not downtown, it is only a few miles up 4th Street North. It is probably a little too close for my own good. I already stopped there Friday evening to pick up some pate and cheeses. Wonderful stuff, I say.

A New Market in Town

We have a new gourmet market in downtown St. Petersburg, Messineo's, which opened in late June. I have visited twice and like it, although it isn't as extensive as Mazzaro's, the large Italian market I have mentioned in the past.  But Messineo's is more convenient since it is downtown. They have a wonderful fresh meat and seafood selection. The meat is hormone and antibiotic free. The seafood is delivered six times a week. The bakery selection looks very tasty, although I haven't tried anything yet. We have tried a couple of their made-to-order sandwiches which were very good. I really hope they do well in this difficult economy. It is a nice addition to St. Petersburg.

A Lovely Day in the Neighborhood

Today was one of those rare, near perfect fall days, with the temperature in the low to mid 60s; blue sky, and a light (OK, sometimes strong) breeze off the bay. By last Thursday, I was feeling almost back to normal, a week after my treatment. While it took longer than I expected, at least I have a better idea what to expect after the next treatment. With encouragement from Frank, I returned to the gym yesterday for some cardio and light weight work. It felt good. We then hit the Saturday Morning Market for lunch. Dinner was a wonderful fruit and arugula salad, followed by pan seared grouper with a lemon butter sauce and green beans and grape tomatoes. Today, feeling ready to venture out on a nice walk, considering the fall weather, I headed down toward the Vinoy Hotel, about a 15 block walk, listening to "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams. I made my first visit to the recently opened 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House. I ordered a Shock Top on draught, not realizing that I was ordering a (heaven forbid) "domestic" beer. Well, my euro-snobbishness was minimized by this decent tasting Belgium style white beer by Michelob. For lunch, I ordered the New England Lobster Roll which was filled with a large quantity of lobster meat in a small amount of mayonnaise. The portion size, served with a side of plank fries (think steak fries), and celery root slaw, was more that adequate, although a little pricey at $14.95 (but it was fresh lobster). However, the sandwich was a little bland. I am not sure what it needed, but it lacked some zing. And it wasn't up to the Lobster roll at Legal Seafood. 400 Beach is owned by the same person who owns Parkshore Grill, just down the street. Parkshore is, in my opinion, one of the best overall dining experiences in downtown. I will return to 400 Beach sometime for dinner, to see how it compares at dinner to its sister restaurant. 
Next stop was the Museum of Fine Arts, to renew my membership and check out the latest special exhibit, "I Heard a Voice" by Leslie Dill. The exhibit was interesting, but far from a high point in my museum experiences. OK, let's be honest here, Simpson, I didn't like it all that much. Although, this is the first time I have been encouraged to use my cell phone in a museum. The special exhibit had a associated audio program available via cell phone, narrated by the artist. Just like the audio tours you pay for, you press a number and # on your cell phone when you arrive at designated works of art to hear more about the piece. 
Well, I think I have rambled on enough for one post. It was a good day; I felt good; the weather was lovely, and I spent a few hours enjoying my city
That's All I'm Saying.

Weekend Wrap-up

It was another busy weekend in Saint Petersburg. My good friends, Carol and John from Mt. Dora, FL, and Georgiann and Jim from Orlando, arrived Saturday mid-day. After a lunch of Tilapia El Greco and Endive with Blue Cheese at Bistro 523 (i.e. my place), we headed to American Stage for their production of August Wilson's "Fences". It was an amazing play; very moving and thought provoking. The acting was superb, with the Oscar going to, in my opinion, Evander Duck Jr. as Troy Maxson, the lead character. If you live in the area and have an opportunity, go see Fences, now through Oct 11. 
Our post-theatre dinner was as Primi Urban Cafe, one of my favorite restaurants in downtown, and mentioned in prior posts. We shared three appetizers; sweet potato fried, antipasti platter, and crispy polenta triangles with prosciutto and tomatoes. For the entree, Jim and John each ordered Lamb Shanks. The lamb looked great, and it they are as tasty as the no-longer-available Chianti Braised Short Ribs, they had to taste great too. Carol and Georgiann each ordered the Wild Mushroom Ravioli served in browned sage butter. I have tried that before, and it too is a tasty item. I opted for the special of the evening, a South African Bobotie. Say what? This was a ground beef dish, loaded with flavorful spices. It is served in a slice, like a meatloaf, but that is where the comparison ends. There was a hint of curry, turmeric, and other ingredients which I could not identify, but all blended together to make a very unique and wonderful entree. Served in three separate small containers on the side were a mango chutney, a tomato relish, and sliced bananas with shaved coconut. Our server, Ken, said that these are traditionally mixed on the plate with the Bobotie, so I followed his suggestion. This added more levels of flavor to an already great dish. 
So, there you have it... go see Fences, then go to Primi Urban Cafe for a nice meal after the play. 


That's all I'm Saying !

525,600 Minutes

60 minutes in an hour; 24 hours in a day; 365 days in a year = 525,600 minutes in a year.

There is a song in "Rent" called "Seasons of Love" which asks " How do you measure a year in the life?". Their answer is, "How about Love?" That works for me.

So where am I going with this... well, I love living in downtown St. Petersburg. And I am very please to announce that I have just signed a renewal of my lease for another 525,600 minutes. The saga continues.

That's all I'm saying.

One Street in the Road to Recovery

I decided to test my limits a little today before Carol headed back to Mount Dora. So, we headed down 4th Ave S to 3rd St. and one more block to the Barnes & Noble bookstore at USF- St. Petersburg campus. While that is only a 3.5 block trek one way, it was a major accomplishment for me. And I did it without any support equipment. It was great to be outside for a while, and walking. We had a light lunch, and coffee at B&N before heading back to the condo. While I was slightly tired, (OK, ready for a short nap) I was not winded nor fatigued. All good things.

Every day gets a little easier.

That's all I'm saying!