Random Discoveries

Thanks to the do it (outside) exhibit at Socrates Sculpture Park...

Sun, 19 May 2013 17:24:23 -0400

Thanks to the do it (outside) exhibit at Socrates Sculpture Park I was recently introduced to Brazilian Iced Chocolate Coca-Cola. Who knew that performance art could be so tasty? :)

Snapshots from a Caribbean Food & Culture Adventure via...

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:13:56 -0400

Shirt? Check. Water? Check. Time for a "Brooklyn Unplugged" Tour of Flatbush!

Our tour started at Flatbush Caton Market where we explored the many offerings and got a souvenir flag at "Flagathon".

Looking up at Flatbush Reformed Dutch Church - http://www.nycago.org/Organs/Bkln/html/FlatbushRef.html. The site is noted for it's longest continuous use for religious purposes in the city.

Our Tour Leader near the entrance of the Flatbush Reformed Dutch Church Cemetery.

Across the street is Erasmus Hall High School. Notable alumni include Barbra Streisand, May West and Barbara Stanwyck. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erasmus_Hall_High_School

The Flatbush Reformed Dutch Church Complex leads to the Albemarle-Kenmore Terraces Historic District.

Looking down the historic street - http://fortheloveofbrooklyn.com/2012/01/05/albemarle-and-kenmore-terrace-charm/

Loew's Kings Theatre awaiting restoration. http://www.nycedc.com/project/loews-kings-theatre

Our tour ended with a meal of authentic Jamaican cuisine at Golden Krust. http://www.goldenkrustbakery.com/

Snapshots from a Caribbean Food & Culture Adventure via Brooklyn Unplugged tours.

Pete’s Tavern - “The Tavern O.Henry Made...

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:56:11 -0400

Pete's Tavern. During Prohibition, it posed as a Flower Shop.

DYK?

Budgeting advice.

The busy bar w/ March Madness Bracket.

Pete's 1864 Ale.

Pete’s Tavern - “The Tavern O.Henry Made Famous” and claims to be the oldest continuously operating restaurant & bar in NYC.

I visited the National Arts Club for the first time to see The...

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:42:02 -0400

I visited the National Arts Club for the first time to see The Milliners Guild Installation. While I was there I did a bit of meandering through the building and found this item on the wall hidden by a large plant.

The sign reads:

The Metropolitan Opera Guild has prepared this sample of the Metropolitan Opera House CURTAIN to commemorate the golden days of OPERA from the night of it’s premiere, Caruso’s Debut in Rigolleto, November 23, 1903 to its final appearance for the benefit of The Metropolitan Opera Campaign Fund II Barbiere di Siviglia with an All-Star Cast March 23, 1940

Odds are likely that you’ve seen this poster somewhere...

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:21:49 -0400

Image of original "Little Farmer" Poster.

The story behind the poster. I'm guessing this is a bit dated though and that they are older than 20 now.

The photo and number tally referenced in the text photo.

Odds are likely that you’ve seen this poster somewhere before. Well, on a recent visit to the Reiman Publications Visitors Center in Greendale, WI I found out where it got started!

DYK? Racine, WI is America’s Kringle Capital! But be sure...

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:34:06 -0500

Larsen's Bakery - http://larsenskringle.com/. They ARE open on Sunday and even provided Kringle Samples for the audience to enjoy at the Sixth Street Theatre.

O&H Bakery. This location was closed but another location was open and full of a friendly work staff. http://www.ohdanishbakery.com/ohdb/HOME

I read positive reviews about Bendtsen's but alas only got to peek in the windows. https://bendtsensbakery.com/

DYK? Racine, WI is America’s Kringle Capital! But be sure to plan ahead as Bendtsen’s and some O&H Locations aren’t open on Sunday. But Larsen’s is!

While visiting the Racine Art Musuem, I discovered that the...

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:26:58 -0500

While visiting the Racine Art Musuem, I discovered that the location is where the American Bank & Trust used to stand. The same American Bank & Trust that John Dillinger & his gang robbed on Nov 20, 1933. (The robbery was recently recreated on film in “Public Enemies”.) Parts of the bank still exist within the museum structure, but for a better idea of what it looked like back then, you can look at the b/w pic - the bank was on the corner, across the same side of the street from the Venetian.

Orson Welles’ Birthplace in Kenosha, WI. (May 6th, 1915.)...

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:48:00 -0500

Orson Welles’ Birthplace in Kenosha, WI. (May 6th, 1915.) Since it is a private residence, I didn’t want to get too up close and personal with the house but I see others have, so a closer view can be looked at here. The house is located in the Historic Library Park District.

I’ve never dined in Keen’s Steakhouse but at least...

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:45:01 -0500

Keen's Bar (or Pub) entrance w/ Lion Head.

In case you look down instead of up.

Clay pipes displayed in the pub entryway.

A closer view to see signatures of Charles Kuralt and Lily Tomlin.

The joint was jumpin! The nude painting on the right is labeled "Miss Keen".

The Nuts are $5. The Ribs? Free! Keen's Ale is center.

I’ve never dined in Keen’s Steakhouse but at least now I can say I’ve been to their pub! Keen’s has an interesting history and much of it is displayed on the walls. They had a crowd the night I visited so it was a bit harder to see everything they have on display (including the famed churchwarden pipes) but I’d definitely like to go back and do just that - and maybe sample some more free ribs! :)

First time seeing the Lunar New Year Parade! Year of the Snake!

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:12:00 -0500

Verizon float.

The Parade came down the street AND sidewalk!

Staredown.

Sunny day with frigid windchill.

First time seeing the Lunar New Year Parade! Year of the Snake!

DYK? The Bellini was created by Harry Cipriani. Thus, the drink...

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:04:46 -0500

DYK? The Bellini was created by Harry Cipriani. Thus, the drink is a great way to toast Restaurant Week at Cipriani. :)

The last time I visited The Monkey Bar was for cocktails at the...

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:11:00 -0500

The Monkey Bar, 1936

Entryway has the old phone numbers painted on the glass. A payphone is there, too.

Monkey BAR area, Dining area is in back. This area features Charlie Wala's Monkey Murals

A Tisket, A Tasket

Roundtable Regulars

The Babe

One of a variety of Monkey Lamps perched throughout dining area

The Menu

Bread 'n' Monkey Butter

Malted Mints in a Monkey Dish with the bill

The last time I visited The Monkey Bar was for cocktails at the bar a little over a year ago for my birthday. Although it was crowded, I loved the atmosphere and hoped to actually get back to explore the space beyond the bar for a meal! Yesterday, I finally accomplished that by enjoying lunch there during Restaurant Week and got to fully appreciate the Ed Sorel Mural and Monkey accents. :)

Per the Dublin House website: “The Dublin House is a real,...

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 11:34:00 -0500

The neon announces you've found Dublin House

Now entering...

The art deco bar's circular mirrors are obscured by flat screens

Their website says they have the best Guinness this side of the pond. Period.

Per the Dublin House website: “The Dublin House is a real, New York City, Irish, neighborhood bar. Been around since before Prohibition, and located on the Upper West Side, 79th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam, it is literally and figuratively a historical landmark. It was the first thing sailors saw after docking at the 79th Street boat basin.”

dispatchomaha: Dispatch:OMAHA There are a few names that will...

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:07:00 -0500

dispatchomaha:

Dispatch:OMAHA There are a few names that will pop up among Omahans on a regular basis, including Johnny Carson, Marlon Brando, Henry Fonda, Warren Buffett, and, as with the subject of this photo, dancing legend Fred Astaire. This house on 10th street is Fred and Adele Astaire’s childhood home.

If you go to Bridge Cafe, go for the drinks and sit at the bar....

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:19:54 -0500

The name comes from it's proximity to the BK Bridge

Happy Hour!

Pineapple Martini - Note the Pinepple soaking in vodka on the bar

If you go to Bridge Cafe, go for the drinks and sit at the bar. Then see if the bartenders will share any of their ghost stories. :)

DYK the Bloody Mary was created at the St Regis in NYC? However,...

Sun, 06 Jan 2013 20:40:48 -0500

Step inside to visit the King Cole Bar

The infamous painting behind the bar

The Red Snapper aka Bloody Mary

DYK the Bloody Mary was created at the St Regis in NYC? However, the name was deemed too vulgar for the clientele of the King Cole Bar so they called it the “Red Snapper” instead. Today, the bar tucked inside the St. Regis has several types of “Red Snappers” to choose from and while you’re there, be sure to take notice of the painting behind the bar and see if the bartender will reveal it’s rumored secret…

Harold Lloyd’s Birthplace in Burchard, NE.

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 17:38:38 -0500

Burchard, NE birthplace of Harold Lloyd

Future Site of Harold Lloyd Silent Film Museum

Harold Lloyd's Birthplace

Our Tourguide used to live in the Harold Lloyd House prior to it's remodel.

Young Harold and his family

Harold Lloyd was a Christmas Tree Enthusiast

Harold Lloyd’s Birthplace in Burchard, NE.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Jeannie’s Place...

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:20:28 -0500

"Jeannie"

The restaurant is on the bottom floor of the house.

Chili point of view of the dining and kitchen area.

Berry Pie ala mode w/ coffee and fixin's.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Jeannie’s Place in Lewiston, NE. And I think the Lewiston website sums the place up best with their description:

“If you stop in Lewiston around noon on most days, you can’t beat lunch at Jeannie’s Place, a homestyle cafe that specializes in made-from-scratch “farm fare.” The proprietor, a former music teacher, serves meals family style in a charmingly eclectic dining room. A grand piano graces the room, and a working woodstove provides a warm welcome in winter months. There’s always plenty of good food at Jeannie’s, including a selection of her mouthwatering homemade pies.”

If you are in the area outside business hours (and it’s not in the wee hours of the morning), give her a call…she may just have a slice of pie waiting for you. :)

Robert Taylor (aka Spangler Arlington Brugh), Native Nebraskan...

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:48:49 -0500

This plague can be found on the bank in Filley, NE.

A display of Robert Taylor memorobilia at the Gage County Museum in Beatrice.

Robert Taylor (aka Spangler Arlington Brugh), Native Nebraskan and “…one of the more underestimated actors of the golden age of Hollywood.”

Barrymore’s is a bar tucked away in an alley of downtown...

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 13:03:00 -0500

Sign in the alley way pointing you in the right direction.

The entrance.

Entryway

Looking up

The bar

Holiday Martinis

Christmas Tree up high

Looking down from a perch that leads you to the restrooms

Barrymore’s is a bar tucked away in an alley of downtown Lincoln, NE. The space was formerly a backstage for the theatre next door but was converted into a bar. It had been many years since I’ve been there but on a recent visit I was happy to see not a whole lot has changed - and that’s a good thing! This unique bar is a good reason NOT to fly over flyover country. ;)