Category: 00 Cookbook Adventures

The Old Hillvilla Restaurant, in Portland

12/28/2018

Now, A Chart House Restaurant

On Christmas Eve we had reservations for dinner, at one of the nearly 30 Chart House restaurants. I wish the lovely hilltop restaurant had its original name. It kind of makes me think of Hillbillies!

At around 7 pm, our Uber driver skillfully zipped up Terwilliger Boulevard, high above Portland. At the top of the hill, we hit a traffic jam of cars, waiting to valet park. Our family of 6, happily exited, before reaching the tangle of cars. The glowing restaurant was buzzing with Christmas Eve energy.

Photo From 1930

Don and I usually avoid chain restaurants, but the Chart House is always a safe choice. We didn't want to risk some lukewarm holiday buffet, when we were feeling ridiculously lucky to be spending Christmas with our kids and their new spouses. Plus this Chart House had some great history. The property, once named Hillvilla, opened in 1921. Owner, R Simmons boasted about The View of a Million Lights. Today, the building doesn't look nearly as quaint as it did 90+ years ago, but it still has the view of lights and Mount Hood!

Busy and Festive

We were told our table wasn't quite ready and that was sort of a relief. We were in no mood to rush. We were in a festive, happy place with our kids. No one had to cook!

Downstairs

When we found 6 open barstools in the downstairs lounge, we were extra ready to relax.

Behind us there was a wall of windows, looking over the twinkling lights of Oregon's biggest city.

In front of us, we watched numerous bartenders (some in Santa hats) dashing, dodging, splashing, shaking and pouring! I kind of liked the cheery, rushed vibe... at least for a while. We had a nice toast, with our French 75 cocktails.

Up We Go

We were called to our table shortly after getting drinks. As we headed up the stairs I glanced over at the cozy fireplace. I wonder if that was added in 1954, when Ed Palaske bought and modernized Hillvilla.

I wonder what Mr. Palakse would think of the modern decor today. He would probably like the circular art on the wall. I'm guessing that was added when in recent years when the Chart House bought the property.

Table at the Window

When the hostess seated us at a window-side table, I wanted to cheer. We couldn't exactly see Mount Hood and the sun had set hours before, but the city lights below were mighty festive.

Moon

The whole day had been cold and cloudy, so I hadn't hoped for any stargazing. We did however get a good glimpse of the moon, now and then!

Cole

Before we even met our server, I knew this was not the night to bother our waiter with a cookbook. But I did have the 1963 Ford Motor Cookbook in my bag... just in case.

Our server introduced himself as Cole. If he was feeling a little overwhelmed with the holiday crowds, he hid it fairly well. We ordered wine and asked a few menu questions.

The Fine Cookbook

At one point I did share my silly traveling book with others at the table and I managed to get a smile from Cole, who said he had actually seen that illustration before. I asked if they stilled served "Spareribs A La Hillvilla. He said they did serve spareribs, up until a year ago. I was relieved it was no longer on the menu, since I usually feel forced to at least try whatever the cookbook has featured.

Happy

Maybe it was the wine, or the anticipation of Santa, but our gang could not have been happier. There was something so comfy-cozy about our table, as we settled in with wine and a couple baskets of warm bread.

Dining on a holiday meant we shared a little something in common with all the other diners. We were all celebrating. But even the staff seemed to add to the fun mix of energy in the place!

So Many Helpers

On a journey to the restroom, I squeezed past a few large tray-servers and I paused to look at all the foods sizzling on the grill. There were so many people giving up their own family time, to make our night special. I have to stop and appreciate that sometimes.

Food!

I tried not to laugh when I ordered Mac Nut Mahi. I felt a little like I was ordering at the drive-thru. But thoughts of McDonald's disappeared when I tasted my fish with warm peanut sauce, mango relish, soy glaze, mango sticky rice and Asian green beans!

My chopped salad with hearts of palm, cucumber, red onion... balsamic vinaigrette was a meal in itself, so I'm glad I saved room. No room for dessert, though. We were all happy and full by the time our empty plates were taken away.

Family Pic

While waiting on our Uber, I took advantage of a brief moment when the area near the tree was empty. A very cheery hostess offered to take our pic. This turned out to be the only photo of the 6 of us during our holidays together. Yay for family photos!

Totem Pole

Before our ride arrived, I rushed out to get one more peek of the exterior. The 2 valet guys had a brief lull in activity, so I shared the cookbook with them. They seemed amused by the old watercolor image... or they pretended well. I dashed off to the side, to see if the shape of the of the building matched the illustration. It was too dark to tell, but I did see a 50-foot totem pole. If there had been a spotlight, I could have snapped a photo of the dramatic carving, that Palaske added in 1959!

We may have dined at a chain restaurant, but the yummy food and curious history, made for a dining adventure. Maybe next time we'll catch a sunset!

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Dan & Louis Oyster Bar in Portland, OR

12/6/2018

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Smiles & Oysters

When you get smiles this big, you know you've had a successful dining/cookbook adventure. I love this picture of Michelle holding our "traveling cookbook" while her son Kai, holds the oyster shucking tool!

Since 1906

Last August, Don and I visited the landmark seafood restaurant in Portland. We stayed at a downtown hotel, not far from the 132-year-old building, that houses the restaurant. It was before 11, when we walked over to Old Town, so we hung out on Ankeny Alley and pondered the past... until opening time.

Dan Louis Oyster Bar

Don and I knew about the Dan Louis Oyster Bar, because it was featured in our 1950's cookbook. We peeked at the vintage book while we waited.

I studied the super mod illustration of the restaurant's dining room. What a curious boat-like counter!

I also looked over the recipe for oyster stew. As I studied the text, I wondered about the name. Who was Dan?The old cookbook made it looked like Dan, was Louis' first name. But today there is an AND, between the names.

Louis Building

The plaque on the building's corner, told us about Louis Wachsmuth. In 1906. Louis began selling gunnysacks of live oysters, for 50-cents a bag. Before long, Louis and his family were running a busy seafood business and restaurant inside the 2-story building.

We later learned that Dan was Louis' son, who died of influenza at the age of 27. Dan's name was added to the business, as a memorial. So there is a very sweet reason for the name Dan, in the restaurant's name. The Wachsmuth family still runs the business today.

Window Shopping

While Don and I waited, we peered in the window as the oyster display was being prepped. The visual was quite a sight! I tried to work up an appetite for oysters at 11 am, while I inhaled the sweet smells of Voodoo Doughnuts, a block away!

Open at 11

Young Kai (Louis Kai Wachsmuth) turned the sign and opened the door at 11. We entered the cozy space, where Kai's great, great grandfather sold seafood, over 100 years ago.

Walls Covered in History

There was a lot to absorb in the first room, with its nautical theme and collections of maritime objects. Michelle guided us to a table in a dining area, off to the right.

Oysters in the Morning

Don and I were the first diners that day. We settled in, with a sampling of Washington oysters. The Eld Inlet tasted mild and creamy. Kamamoto was buttery and Totten Inlet tasted more fishy and salty. I'm no oyster connoisseur, but I liked the Eld oysters best.

Digging In

As we dug into our oysters, Michelle came to check on us. When I found out she was part of the Wachsmuth family, I just had to pull out the old cookbook. Michelle grinned when she saw it. She said she had never seen the book, but recently someone had sent her a photo of that very page. "It's still the same ouster stew recipe that we use today!"

Soups

Don's smoked salmon chowder was rich and chunky, with a peppery flavor. Don loves his pepper. I of course had to give the original oyster stew a try. The broth was buttery smooth and the oysters were gigantic. I will admit, I'm a little timid about big plump oysters, but I was thrilled to eat the stew that has been served for over 100 years.

The Tour

Arriving early, meant Michelle was free to chat. She was also able to give us a tour. She walked us past Kai's oyster shucking station, towards some of the older dining rooms.

Oyster Cart

We turned the corner at one point and almost ran into a huge cart, carrying bags of oysters.

Michelle carried on a bit with the white haired man who was pushing the big load.

He was nice enough to pause for a photo, before he wheeled the fresh catch towards the kitchen.

Oyster Family

We continued through the maze of rooms and came upon a smiling group. "This is our oyster family!" Michelle laughed and the two boys giggled. I'm not sure how this all works and what their relation was, with the man pushing the cart. But I do know there was a wonderful rapport between Michelle and the folks we kept bumping into as we traveled through the numerous rooms.

The Big Dining Room

We moved into the large dining room, with cozy wood walls and a ceiling that looked like a ship's hull. The walls were covered in old plates and more nautical decor.

The Boat

I laughed when I saw the boat-like counter, with portholes on the side. I recognized the image from the kind of kooky illustration in the book. Michelle shook her head and chuckled, when I asked about the boat. "Half of that boat is in my garage right now."

Pine Walls and Round Plates

I couldn't get enough of all the wall decor! We didn't get a chance to meet Michelle's husband, Keoni. If we had, I would have asked about some of the memorabilia.

Keoni (Kai's dad) is 4th generation, so I'm guessing he must have spent a lot of his youth in these rooms. If I had grown up in that world, I would have wanted to play hide and seek in all those rooms. I would have probably spent a good amount of time counting all those plates, too!

The Kitchen

The kitchen area has been renovated and opened up, in recent years. It's always a good thing when a food business is happy to let customers see the food being prepared!

Cozy Dining

Next time, I think I'd like to sit in this tiny dining space, surrounded by painted, wood walls and ceiling.

Or maybe I'd like to sit beside the knotty pine and find out what MV Aspen means.

I believe this is the original dining room. This might be my favorite room. I can picture the Wachsmuth family gathering around this table.

Thanks!

Don and I had a whirlwind visit to Dan & Louis. We had a parking meter running back at the hotel and a drive to Seattle ahead of us. Next time we will come and rush less. We'll enjoy more of the menu and hopefully more of the family! What a fun place!

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Fairmont Chateau Laurier - Canada

11/20/2018

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Cookbook Adventure in Ottawa

In July, Don and I traveled to Ottawa for Canada Day. We weren't staying at the lovely Chateau Laurier, but we had a view from our hotel window.

Our Westin room was lovely, but I looked towards the grand hotel longingly. I've had the Chateau Laurier (now a Fairmont hotel) on my need to visit list, since spotting it in one of our old cookbooks.

Ford Motor Cookbook

We were of course traveling with our vintage Ford Motor cookbook. It's what we do. I wanted so badly to grab the old book and head over to the classy Laurier Dining Room, for a little adventure. I thought there might be a chance they would still serve the Seafood Cocktail that was a featured recipe in the book.

Short on Time

But, we were celebrating the weekend with my sister-in-law and her dear friend. The 4 of us had lots of celebrating to do, during our short stay in Ottawa. I was pretty pleased when Jane and Dick were game to head over for a drink at the French Gothic Hotel.

As we crossed Rideau Street, we could see how the hotel was build to compliment the adjacent Parliament buildings. Conical turrets, dormer windows and copper roofs! Beautiful!

Into the Cool

As we came through the revolving door, a whoosh of cool air greeted us.

I'm not sure if they had air conditioning in 1912, when the hotel was built. We were grateful for it, that July day. We had come from Texas, expecting cool Canadian temps, but it was actually hotter in Ottawa than in Houston!

Marble, Tiffany and Chandeliers

I was a giddy tourist as we wandered through the lobby. I believe the chandeliers and hand moulded plaster decor were original.

Tiffany stained-glass... marble floors... I wanted to wander for hours.

Oh Canada!

We wandered a bit, while searching for Zoe's Lounge. The flags displayed from the mezzanine, were a continuation of what we'd seen on the streets earlier.

Hours Before

You could look any direction and see red maple leaves, hanging on poles and waving in hands.

Lounging

We walked into one of the lovely sitting areas in the lobby. I had to wonder how many of those seated, were actually hotel guests and not just overheated folks who had wandered in from the street celebration.

I imagine the lobby atmosphere was not quite so casual, back when King George and Queen Elizabeth visited in 1939! (Important cookbook trivia!)

Zoe's Lounge

Zoe's Lounge felt like a cool oasis, after a day of wandering. I was surprised there were no crowds gathered around the marble bar, at 6 pm.

Zoe's - a 1985 Addition

Zoe's Lounge was not around when the cookbook was printed in 1955. The glassed-in area was added in 1985, probably before our cocktail server was even born.

I failed to get a photo of our enthused young server, but she snapped a couple of us. She was surprisingly curious about the book and the the old recipe. (at least the book made it in the photo)

Dining?

As much as I would have loved to have had a complete dining adventure at the Chateau, we just had a liquid celebration. Since we weren't going all out with a meal, I went all our with a drink called, "Oh Canada!" For $17, I had a perfectly refreshing beverage with Ontario Vodka, Maple Syrup, Cranberries Peychaud's Bitters & Lemon Juice! Cheers!

A Good Start

The old cookbook may not have gotten a huge spotlight on our short visit to the Chateau, but it at least led us there. We enjoyed the clean, bright, historic atmosphere, with some refreshing drinks. Best of all, we celebrated the iconic hotel with Jane and Dick! Next time, I hope we can go back for a meal AND an overnight!

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The Homestead Resort in Utah

10/15/2018

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Midway, Utah

Don and I found ourselves in Midway, Utah in August. We didn't have time to stop for a meal at the old Homestead Resort. But, we did make time to grab our traveling cookbook and head inside for a peek.

The Cookbook

This is the crazy book, (put out by Ford Motor Company) that has led us to some curious places and some fun people encounters.

As we walked across the lawn, I studied the illustration in the 1963 cookbook. The columns were still there. The circle of grass was there, with a fountain in the middle... and the mountains were back there... somewhere.

The Property

To the right of the lawn, we could see the original 2-story building, that had been called, Schneitter's Hot Pot Resort. It housed the guests who first came to bathe in the hot springs in the late 1800's.

Behind the trees to the left, was the large "hot pot" or geo-thermal caldera.

This is how it looked, on a cold November day, when we visited, 5 years ago.

Back when the Schneitter's opened their Hot Pot Resort, there was only one way to enjoy the hot waters hidden inside the dome. Luckily there is now a tunnel opening, so Don and I didn't have to rappel from the opening at the top of the cone.

Exploring The Homestead

Don and I walked towards the main house and stepped inside. There was little vintage charm to the remodeled lobby, so we headed down a knotty pine hallway and found an interesting display of historic photos.

Chicken Livers!

It was about 5, when we headed for the restaurant. We weren't interested in eating, but we were a little curious to see if they still served this fine recipe for Chicken Livers with Bordelaise Sauce. Don and I both liked everything about the recipe, except the liver.

Dining Room & Bar

The dining room was quiet and the hostess was not all too welcoming. When we asked if the bar was open, she handed us menus. "Well, we're only licensed as a restaurant, so you'll have to eat something." She could tell we weren't from Utah.

Quiet at the Bar

There was no bartender on duty and the lovebirds seated at the end, pretended we weren't there. I could tell we were not going to have any fun with the cookbook.

When the hostess came to take our food and drink order, I told her I didn't see any chicken livers on the menu. I had already guessed that our hostess would not be a bit amused by the vintage book and recipe. I was right. I pointed to the cookbook page and grinned. "You used to!" Awkward pause. Then I asked if we could split a cup of soup.

Cookbook Failure

Don and I shared a cup of broccoli soup and it was actually delicious. We sipped our wine and beer and I laughed at my failed attempt with the cookbook.

The Chef Gets It!

Don and I quickly forgot about the book. We were happily chatting when I suddenly caught sight of the chef, passing by. In a quick moment I caught the chef's eye and grabbed the book off the bar.

"Do you still serve this?" I asked as I waved the book towards him. He stopped in his tracks and leaned over the page, then laughed. "How old is this!" He shook his head and studied the recipe.

"No, we don't make this." He said with another chuckle. "But we could!" He stood a while and mentioned a few ingredients that would make the recipe better. "Would you eat it if I made it?" I paused and admitted, "No." He grinned and took one last look at the book cover, before handing it back. "By the way," I said, pointing to the empty cup. "That soup is amazing!"

Good Bye

Maybe that wasn't top on our list of cookbook adventures. But our brief little soup dining adventure ended well. The chef's yummy soup and his genuine delight with the book, made us put The Homestead on the list, for next time!

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Deer's Head Inn - Upstate New York

7/16/2018

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Elizabethtown, New York

While on a road trip in June, Don and I shared a Cookbook Dining Adventure with Jennifer and Kate!

The town had a beautiful name, which made the outing twice as fun!

The Book That Inspired the Stop

Before heading off to New York, I made sure to peek inside a couple of our old Ford Motor Cookbooks. I was excited to find a featured recipe, from an inn which was located in an area we planned to visit. The book was printed over 50 years ago, so I was excited to learn that the inn was still in business.

Closed on Sunday

Our route from Lake George to Saranac Lake, took us right through Elizabethtown!

Elizabethtown was a little sleepy when we arrived on a Sunday at noon. Don and I could tell the inn was closed before we even parked.

Posing in E-Town

Jennifer and Kate pulled up minutes later, when I was taking photos of the inn. We 4 wandered the town a bit. My sister and I had some fun taking pictures... and being in them.

I posed with the rusty sign that showed my name. Then we spotted another sign and posed. It turns out, we were standing in front of a shop that benefits a local organization, which reaches out to women experiencing domestic violence.

Meeting Greg

The shop was closed, but Greg saw us and stepped outside. He filled us in on the organization that he and his wife run. We learned about some of the struggles in the community.

We also learned some fun news. Greg's son was chef at Deer's Head Inn. "You need to come back!" Greg insisted. So we did.

2 Days Later

We returned on a Tuesday, after staying in Sarnac Lake. It was a lovely day when we arrived for lunch. It was tempting to dine on the porch. I love porches.

But first I had to take in the exterior, which had a homey, farmhouse look to it.

Side View

I had to study the side view too. The business reopened a couple of years ago, as a "tavern, inn and grocer". What fun it would be, to stay in one of their 4, second story rooms.

I looked at the flowers and cute window, the painted boards of different sizes. Then I began to wonder.

This looked nothing like the illustration of the inn, featured in the book.

We headed towards the front door on the porch, hoping to find some answers.

The Market

We entered the inn's hallway, with stairs leading up to the guest rooms. I peeked at the Market, to the right. The little food/coffee shop was where the old tavern used to be. The original bar was being used as the shop counter.

My eyes were drawn to the potted herbs absorbing the window light.

The Tavern/ Restaurant

We headed into the classy-comfy new dining room, where we were greeted by a deer head above the white brick fireplace. I'm not sure if he's been around since 1808, but the building has.

Only, the building we were in, was located elsewhere and was actually The Annex to the older and larger Deer's Head Inn.

History is confusing.

Photo in the Hall

This old photo shows the original Deer's Head Inn, which was torn down in 1968. It didn't exactly match my cookbook image either, but it is the building that was featured in the book. I'm guessing, after they moved The Annex to it's current location in the 1830's, they added more gingerbread and porches to the original old inn.

Charming Interior

It was fun having Jennifer and Kate join us for our cookbook dining adventure. They were just as excited as Don and me, hoping to show the book to Chef Josh. Funny that we had just chatted with his dad, 2 days earlier.

Where to Sit?

There were some cute little alcoves and bay windows for seating. There was even a great area with dartboard and pool table, if only we'd had the time.

The New Bar

Driving by, you would never have guessed there was such an inviting, modern, Sazerac serving bar, inside this old building... in a town of 1,000.

I love vintage bars, with antique or retro decor. Usually I cringe when things are modernized. But there was something fun about having this new fresh interior, inside a 210 year old building.

Courtney

Our server, Courtney was a total hoot. She handed us our clipboard menus, with a happy welcome, then rushed off.

When she returned, I asked if they served Maple Sponge Cake with Maple Icing. She looked at me as if I'd asked if they sold puppies. "No?" I responded. "Well, you used to." I handed her the cookbook. She took a quick glance at the page, then boomed with a grin, "Get Out!" Her reaction was perfect. "Where did you get this? I can't believe this! Can I show this to the chef?"

I knew they were getting busy and Courtney seemed to be the only waitstaff, but I begged. "We talked to the chef's dad the other day. We were hoping to meet him..." Courtney agreed to bring him out a little later, so I held onto the book.

Yummy Options

Jennifer ordered the House Maple Lemonade, which was pretty refreshing. We shared some locally picked and pickled Fried Dilly Beans with Ancho Chile Spiced Aioli. Yum!

I had the Eggplant and Pickled Beet Sandwich, with Feta, Olives, Capers and Herbs. Don got the Roast Chicken Breast Sandwich with Roasted Peppers and Sweet Basil Pesto. I stole his fries and he snitched my greens! All good!

Deer's Head Bamboo Rice Bowl

Kate's rice dish looked as garden fresh as her blouse. She was a brave one, ordering the dish that Courtney said was very yummy, with "furry" bamboo rice. We had to laugh at that description. It was interesting, with marinated tofu and miso ginger dressing. But I liked my eggplant better.

Waiting on Chef Josh

The cozy tavern at one point, was practically full. Courtney was rushing about, serving diners on the porch and even at the bar. She kept assuring us that Josh would try to make it out to meet us, but we had to get going.

Courtney Poses

It would have been a treat to have met the busy young chef, but we were happy that we had a fun people encounter with Courtney. She was young and she was busy, which usually means there's little interest in posing with a cookbook. But Courtney was game.

We did our pose in front of the deer. Hopefully we'll return someday and meet the chef AND stay at the inn.

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Half Way House, Near Richmond, VA

7/18/2016

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A Restaurant... Not a Group Home!

Don and I totally lucked out when we found ourselves dining at this 256 year old Manor House. It was built on a grant of land from George II of England, by a patent dated 1743. For many years it was a lodging stop for travelers halfway between Richmond and Petersburg.

How We Found It

Once again, we owe it to one of our vintage Ford Cookbooks. While staying in Williamsburg, we flipped through this 1950 edition and found a page featuring the "Halfway House" restaurant. I Googled to see if it still existed, then called to make sure it was open! A couple hours later, we found the old building under some grand trees... right next to old US Route 1! I can't believe it's still there!

Facing the Highway

White boards and red shutters, faced the traffic. I saw curtains in the low windows, surrounded by brick. Sure enough, that's where we ended up dining, in the basement.

Cozy Space

We arrived at 11:30, since we were squeezing this in on the way to the airport. The hostess had been expecting us and let us choose where to dine. We picked a table right across from one of the 2 fireplaces. Our single candle was lit and a basket cinnamon rolls and poppyseed muffins arrived.

Comparing

I asked our server if they served Beets in Orange Sauce, since I always attempt to order whatever recipe is shared. Of course they didn't have it, but she was amused by the book and illustration.

The fireplace in the book looked similar to the one near our table. The brick floor and the painted door seemed to match. But who were the people in the picture?

The Rest of the Dining Area

On the other side of the dining room there was another fireplace. Hiding behind a beam, to the right, we found the actual framed watercolor image that appeared in the book.

We learned that the woman in the painting was the owner, at the time when the cookbook was put out. The boy was her son. The door and mantel haven't been changed, but the cabinet to the right was moved up stairs.

The Youngs

We learned this info from Sue and Rick, when they came downstairs from an office. The Youngs have owned the business for over 30 years and they graciously spent some time sharing some of their knowledge about the place.

So Much History

I loved looking out the tiny basement window and wondering who else had peered through, in the past. Union General, Benjamin Butler used this house as a headquarters during the Civil War. So you can be sure there was some peeking going on, then. And even before the Revolution, this basement space had been a tavern. The boots of many historic figures have evidently walked on these floors, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Food

I'm sort of glad they didn't have the beets, so I could get the Chicken Pie with flaky puff crust. It came with a twice baked potato and fruit. That seemed fitting for my Colonial Lunch!

Crab Cakes

Don had a crab cake which also came with a potato and green beans. For travelers who don't like hefty lunches, this was perfect.

Our Cozy Nook

The small table behind us was the only table that didn't fill during our stay. It was surprising to see so many business lunches going on. No one else seemed to stare at their surroundings the way we did. I can only imagine how the atmosphere must change at night, especially when fireplaces are lit.

Exploring

Rick and Sue invited us to wander around after our meal. Finding the bathroom was the first adventure. I'm not sure when plumbing was introduced, but the shed-like bathrooms with the whitewashed doors were a hoot. And for our trip upstairs, luckily there was a sturdy railing. I have no idea how many footsteps it took to make those stair-boards go from flat to wavy!

Meeting Room

The second floor had 2 rooms. Don posed in the Meeting Room, so you can see the ceiling is actually pretty high.

The Lady's Parlor

This had been a room for the Ladies at one point, so I did the posing. There was a third story that we didn't visit. That may have been where overnight guests stayed long ago.

The Kitchen

This was the part that made our meal feel most authentic. Our food was all prepared in this separate kitchen house! We could see in through the screen door where the chef was bustling around with various dishes. There's was lots of coordinating going on between the kitchen and the house, just to relay orders. Then our meals had been carried on trays from the cabin into the house. I can't imagine anything more

complicated, especially when weather was an issue! But everything ran smoothly and food was hot and delicious! What a memorable meal and a fun visit!

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Commander's Palace in New Orleans

6/8/2016

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Pre-Thanksgiving Feast 2015

It's taken me a half year to digest this delicious experience and put it in the blog.

Garden District Favorite Since 1893

This is the iconic landmark where I dined with family the night before Thanksgiving. It was dark when we arrived so I didn't see the "Commander's Blue" till I drove by the next day. That whimsical color didn't go on the old building until 1974 when the famous Brennan Family took over.

Party of 13

Our gang miraculously arrived and gathered on the sidewalk, just in time for our 5:30 reservation. What a thrill to walk in the entrance and see the entire wait staff lined up to greet as we passed by.

My brother and wife are frequent guests, so it was fun to see many of the waiters nodding politely and greeting them by name.

Upstairs

We were graciously guided upstairs to the Garden Room where our table awaited us. Since we were the first diners to arrive, I took advantage and slipped over to the window to take in the courtyard below, filled with white tables, trees and white lights.

The Garden Room
The head waiter greeted our table, then turned to my brother, " Welcome..." he said with a teasing smile, "It's been a while. I haven't seen you since... yesterday!" This of course cracked me up, because this was my baby brother who was being treated like a VIP. He used to ask for peanut butter and jelly in restaurants.

We were given menus and then napkins were placed in our laps. I was pretty impressed that we were given dark or light napkins, depending on our outfit. I took a quick snap of the table, then tucked my camera away, so the entering diners might think I was a regular, too!

Cell Phone Snaps

Luckily cell phones can be used to discretely capture a shot without being noticed. This pic reveals the impressive "Commander's Blue" ribbon, down the center of our table. I'm not sure what you have to do to pull off the high ranking blue ribbon, but we had one. The photo also captures a glass or the famous Nola cocktail, Sazerac. There was no camera ready when the waiter arrived with some special drink holders made of twisted iron, which served up our complimentary rum drinks. Oh my!

The Corner

This shot of the room, taken much later, shows the back corner. My brother explained the corner table was often booked for special guests. I kept an eye on the table, kind of hoping Sandra Bullock showed up. She lives just a few doors down, after all.

Time to Explore

After ordering our main course, I decided I needed to powder my nose. I headed down the stairs where I had a good view of the dining room and all the gentleman diners. I made sure they were following rules, since jackets were required. That's what you do when you are still angry since childhood about having to wear a swim cap when boys didn't.

The Powder Room

I had to check out the Ladies Room, since I didn't want to be accused of lying. I was mighty impressed with the padded upper walls and marble lower section. Those mounted sconces added a retro touch.

I really had no powder, so I moved on to explore.

Yes and No Doors

The place was busy at this point, so I didn't feel like I was too obvious as I peeked around a bit. I loved the doors into the kitchen with reminder signs telling you which to use. I wasn't trying to go further, but a gracious waiter recognized a nosy customer. Suddenly he was inviting me in to see the kitchen.

Hard at Work

I felt like I was snooping around backstage during a Broadway play. Surely I shouldn't be there. But he encouraged me to take a photo and when a couple busy chefs took notice, what could I do but grab my cook book from my purse?

Not Just Any Chef

Maybe my Sazerac gave me a little nerve, but I hadn't really intended on intruding! Suddenly though, I was showing my 1950's Ford Motor Cookbook to Chef Roby (I think that's his name) and he was laughing at the page featuring Commander's Palace in the 1950's. He got the attention of Chef Tory, who had his hands full but still had a good laugh as he looked and cooked. Ignorance is bliss, because I NEVER would have intruded if I'd known I was interrupting Executive Chef Tory PcPhail! I'm not sure if Emeril Lagasee or Paul Prudomme would have been so tolerant when they were Executive Chefs at Commander's!

The Head Table

Before leaving the kitchen I did notice The Chef's Table, set up with a view of the kitchen action. Yep, there were two ribbons on that table! The lovely blond woman at the table caught my eye and inquired about that book that was causing a commotion.

I Join the Chef's Table

She was curious, so I explained how the book from 1954, featured famous restaurants, most of which are gone now. Rachel, who had been celebrating her anniversary asked me to sit right down a moment. She seemed intrigued to hear how my husband and I often travel in search of these old dining gems. We laughed about the old Commander's recipe for Remoulade Sauce. The illustration shows the wonderful building before it turned Commander's Blue.

Lally and Todd

Then Rachel asked their waiter, Todd to take our picture. And then Lally Brennan who is Co-Proprieter of Commander's arrived on the scene. She had come to our table upstairs, earlier and my brother had introduced us to her. Then suddenly I was greeting her in the kitchen and she was having a look at the curious book.

One More Photo

Next, Lally, who has been working in the Brennan family biz since she was 13, was encouraged to join the gang for a photo. I promise you... at least I'm pretty sure... I was not obnoxiously inviting myself into all of this. Commander's is just a welcoming place and everyone was in an awfully good mood!

Back Upstairs

I returned to our family gathering and had to explain why I was gone so long. My relatives laughed and seemed amused that I'd been kitchen hopping. I'm guessing, my own kids might have been glad I did my restaurant socializing out of their sight!

The Food

This is a lot of chatter about everything but food. But the happy faces say it all. The food was indeed amazing, right down to the Creole Bread Pudding Soufflé finished table-side with warm whiskey cream. Before that, we devoured some turtle soup, gumbo, sea scallops, Autumn Mushroom Risotto and much more. There wasn't a dish or taste that wasn't perfect.

Lingering

We stood under the glow of the neon sign and lamps for a while after. The old cemetery across the street added some good ole New Orleans eeriness.

Planning and Sharing

It was a nice treat lingering on the sidewalk, sharing what we liked best about our meal... and making last minute plans for our Thanksgiving feast the next day.

The Palace

What a fitting name for a place that made us feel like Royalty. Maybe it was my brother's connection, or maybe the staff was all in the holiday spirit or maybe Commander's Palace is just an all around friendly place with decadent food.

Memorable and Delicious!

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La Placita, in Albuquerque

5/25/2016

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Food, History and a Fun People Encounter!

In the heart of Albuquerque's historic Old Town, sits a sweet little house with a bunch of dining rooms. Don and I visited last September and had a fine time!

The Cookbook Link

Once again, we came across a dining option by browsing through one of our vintage Ford Treasury cookbooks. This one from 1950, features cafes and dining rooms (with recipes) from 48 states.

On our 4-week road trip last fall, we made sure to pack all 4 books. It's always an adventure, tracking down a featured eatery that still exists!

Dating Back to the 1700's

The restaurant in our book was housed in what was once a hacienda belonging to Don Manuel Armijo and his family. The rambling, Pueblo-Spanish style building sits across from the Plaza that was once the bustling center of life in the 1700's.

1935

This is how the casa looked in 1935, long after the Armijo Family left. The second story was evidently added to the structure around 1872, when one of the daughters got married and needed a dramatic stairway.

Under the Portal

When we arrived last fall, the long portal was offering shade for the Native American vendors selling their crafts. We took a peek, but moved towards the door near the corner... hungry for lunch.

Memorable Features

The building was divided into 6 dining rooms, with hints of what the old home must have been like. I took a good look at the classic stairway that was imported from Spain, after the second floor was added. This allowed the young bride an impressive way to show off her 30-foot wedding train.

I asked if we could be seated in the dining room with the tree, since I'd seen it in the almost cartoonish cookbook illustration. The tree room had once been the courtyard. It was enclosed with a skylight back in the thirties when La Placita opened.

Windows and Doors

Our young waiter, Matt was happy to seat us at a table on the raised terrance beside the tree. The nearby window once gave a peek inside the house. Now the glass was covered in painted flower designs. The doorway into the next dining room revealed the 4-inch thick walls. I wonder how many coats of paint have gone on that wood trim.

Menu and Book

I loved the vintage photos on the menu. It could have been the same menu cover given to the writer/ illustrator who visited the restaurant over 65 years ago, for the Ford cookbook. The book's recipe for Sopapillas called for lard and the illustration showed a smaller tree. But at least I found sopapillas on the menu. Often restaurants no longer serve the recipes that are featured.

Hidden Fireplace

The illustration showed a fireplace covering half the wall. I had to hunt a bit for that fireplace, but I found it.

Corner Fireplace

There were corner fireplaces in many of the rooms. These had once been used for "top of the stove" cooking, while the baking had been done outside in cone-shaped, mud ovens. This fireplace behind the bar was used for stacking wine carafes.

Dining With a Tree

For a while no one else was in our dining room. I had expected tons of tourists in this festive part of town. But eventually some others diner arrived and became interested in the cookbook they saw on our table.

Cottonwood Tree

The bricks surrounding the tree trunk were beginning to buckle. We laughed with our dining neighbors about how small the tree looked in the book.

The trunk today, looked to be about 4 feet in diameter. The branches lifted up through a metal portion of the skylight. The branches above the roof, swayed in the breeze and cast odd shadows in the room. A leaf or two had managed to drop onto the brick floor.

Food

I had to save room for sopapillas, so I had a salad and shared Don's enchilada plate. The plate was piping hot and spilling over with flavorful sauces, rice, beans and cheese. The most fun part of the

meal was hearing from Matt that many recipes are still used from the day when La Placita first opened in 1931. The same family still runs the restaurant.

Dessert!

I obviously was dressed for my dining adventure on this day. Luckily I didn't burn myself on the scalding little pillows off goodness. And I also managed to keep the drippy honey off my embroidered blouse... bought 20 years ago at a thrift shop and used for very special occasions. What a yummy and sticky treat!

Our Waiter, Matt

I was delighted when Matt saw our cookbook and laughed. He actually recognized it! He said he had been working at La Placita for 10 years, starting in high school. He was sad that his days with the La Placita family might be coming to an end soon. He had just graduated from college

He couldn't rave enough about the family who owns the restaurant. His favorite working memories revolved around Christmas and the festive decorations and the families who came every year on Christmas Eve and posed beside the tree. It made me want to come back in December.

Best Server on Trip

Matt showed us around a little before we left. We told him that we were reaching the end of our 4-week road trip and he was being highly considered as our favorite server of all the places where we'd dined. He disappeared and came back with a great little book that included La Placita history and recipes. He chuckled as he handed it to us. "Not that I'm trying to sway you with your decision!" He grinned as we read where he had signed the inside of the book...

"From: Matt (Top Candidate for Best Server Award) September 24, 2105

Yep, Matt won!

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Parry's Lodge in Kanab, Utah

2/24/2016

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Can't Miss It!

Our drive from the North Rim to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, took us right through Kanab.

Don and I couldn't have missed the Parry Lodge or its towering sign if we'd tried. We pulled past the colorful words and parked underneath the equally awesome Coffee Shop sign.

Cute Little House Motel

What a fun looking motel sitting in the shade of the trees, with an almost fake-looking mountain range just beyond. It looked inviting enough with the porch and rocking chairs, but what really had me excited was that we had spotted this place in our old retro cookbook. Here was a chance for yet another dining/cookbook adventure!

A Late Lunch

We entered the cozy lobby and were pleased to know lunch was still being served. We spoke with a young man at the old desk who said his grandmother had managed the hotel & restaurant for years.

Hollywood Stars

He pointed to the framed photos on the wall and told us his grandmother had some great stories about some of those movie stars. Kanab had evidently been nicknamed Little Hollywood long ago. Over 100 movies and TV episodes had been filmed in the area.

Curious History

In 1924, local brothers got some temporary work when a Hollywood movie was shot for the first time in Southern Utah. The brothers helped with transporting some of the crew who came to film a "picture" starring Tom Mix. Within a few years, the area was swarming with Hollywood folks. The Parry Brothers built their motel in 1931 to accommodate the stars and crew members. At one time, the lodge itself became part of a movie set for the film, "The Girl in the Black Stockings".

Built Around an Old Farmhouse

The Parry brothers built their motel/lodge around what was then a farm house. They provided lodging, food and transportation for Western film stars like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, as well as more serious actors like Gregory Peck and Sidney Poitier. I imagine some of those big trees were there when the lodge was built. Too bad they lost their sprawling lawn in front, when the highway cut through. But that was the highway that helped us discover the place.

The Restaurant

We were invited into the sunny dining room with flowery wallpaper, ruffled curtains and more Hollywood photos. I was sorry that the hostess was fairly new and didn't have much more input for us.

Pot Roast?

It's always fun to see what kind of reaction we get when we share one of these old Ford Cookbooks with a server or cook. Often the recipes are outdated and no longer used. Often the illustration gets a good laugh or gasp.

But I held the book back a while and studied the menu. No pot roast offerings, so I went for the salad bar.

Salad Bar

I took my time piling my plate with greens and crispy bacon and chopped egg. I scooped up some chili that turned out to be pretty tasty. And I chatted with a nearby couple at the only other occupied table.

Daily Special

Don ordered the Special of the Day for $7. 95. Beef patty with onions, mashed potatoes & gravy...and of course some good old peas, corn and carrots.

It kind of looked like a meal they might have served in the 1940's or '50's.

Cary and the Cookbook

While finishing our meal, this fellow came out from the kitchen and asked playfully, "How was your food today... because I cooked it!" I ended up showing him the book and he was thrilled. He said he'd been experimenting with old lodge recipes, like one for dinner rolls and another for Chicken and Dumplings. He chuckled that customers had complained about too much salt in that one.

Darla and the Book

Someone got word to Darla, the manager that there was a vintage cookbook in the dining room. She came in and joined us and shared some old postcard images of the lodge. She was eager to copy the Pot Roast recipe for their records and then she showed me around outside. She studied the book's illustration and we imagined how nice the porch sitting would have been with no highway and parking lot. She pointed to some rose bushes and told me they'd been there since the place opened.

A Peek at the Pool

Darla pointed towards the pool and said Frank Sinatra had some influence in getting that put in, when he and the Rat Pack stayed. Sinatra must have had his wife with him at least some of the time, since he made a special request to the Parry Brothers.

Darla said he talked the brothers into building a suite for his mother-in-law... at the opposite end of the complex!

Next Time

Our dining adventure was more about the Hollywood history than the food. I hope next time we come, we can stay over, for a Notable Night experience. Then we'll have a little more time to enjoy dining and lingering in the Coffee Shop.

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Wild West Dining in Cody, Wyoming

11/21/2015

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Following Our Cookbook

On recent travels, Don and I had one night in Cody. We were pretty darn delighted to learn that Cassie's Supper Club was still a happening place after many, many years. How did we find out about Cassie's? Once again, we were traveling with a few vintage cookbooks, put out by Ford Motor Company. Whenever we're lucky enough to find a restaurant that is still in operation, we stop!

Cassie's Supper Club

We headed west of downtown Cody and spotted the snazzy sign! It looked pretty much the same! In the cookbook illustration you can see the showgirl, tipping her top hat and the parrot perched on top. I read later that the owners, Ole and Mabel Nelson (in 1963 when the book was published) had a pair of parrots that were well known to customers.

Today?

The facade had changed from stucco to an Old West Saloon look, but it was still set far back from the road, like the picture. We were just a mile and a half from downtown, so I had expected to see the place squished in between shopping centers. That's one big parking lot and I believe it actually gets filled up.

4 PM

There were quite a few cars, considering the time of day. We headed towards the door near the Buffalo Bar sign.

Hungry, Curious, Thirsty?

The "Howdy Folks" above the door was welcoming enough, but I kind of liked the other words... especially the word "curious".

Greeted by Beasts

Just inside the door, we met up with lot of stuffed fellows. They were keeping a good eye on the huge space. Over the years, Cassie's has expanded to 20,000 square feet, with numerous levels and rooms.

Rustic Bar

We stepped in to get a look at the first bar, which wasn't open, yet. There were some rustic stools around a curved cedar bar and lots of goodies you'd expect in western bar, like mounted longhorns and cow skulls.

Greeted by Melody

Then we met Mel who filled us in on some more history after she had a good laugh at the book. She tole us about Cassie, who opened the Supper Club in 1933.

Cassie had already spent a number of years running a house for "Ladies of the Night" in Cody. She and another madam were encouraged to close their establishments, so they opened Cassie's for dancing, liquor and later dining. Mel was kind enough to pose with the fine cookbook, right in front of Cassie's original "cabin", which is behind the Restrooms sign. I'm still a little unclear about what this "cabin" was all about. But I know the rest of the building is built up around it.

Yummy Reicipe

Mel was pretty amused by the recipe for Chicken Cream Salad. "No, I'm afraid we don't serve this." She laughed as she studied the ingredients with minced chicken, gelatin, mayo and heavy whipped cream... Mmmm. Not to mention, celery, stuffed olives, shredded lettuce and tomato!

Saved for Later!

Mel made sure she got some pictures of the colorful page with her cell phone. The old cookbook claimed that the creamy chicken dish was a favorite of the diners! I don't picture the loyal customers today begging for this salad. Most come in for the huge steaks!

Dancing!

Mel told us to feel free to look around and there was plenty to see. We heard the dance floor gets pretty crowded, especially on rodeo nights. We could barely make out the letters that spelled Cassie's, engraved into the wood floor. The room was surrounded with western art scenes. The painted wood panels were spotlighted high on the walls. Just past the first piano, were a couple levels of dining areas with white tablecloths and some very early (or late lunch) diners quietly eating. Every room seemed to have its own flavor.

Another Bar

Towards the rear, we found a completely different style of bar. Smooth, polished wood, stained glass, Victorian style wallpaper. I would have loved to have lingered till the place was filled with customers, to see if the two bars attracted different kinds of crowds.

And the Lounge!

The only bar that was open before 5 was a lounge that took me to a completely different era. There were painted western murals and some knotty pine... slick orange booths with branded wood trim. We so wished it had been dinner time or later!

Sharing with Steve

As Don and I headed to the car we heard a voice coming around the side of the building. "Is that the cookbook?" We stopped and had the best time chatting with Steve Singer, who grew up a couple houses down from Cassie's. His parents knew the Nelsons and sometimes on weekends, he and a few other kids (sibs or friends?) would get to pretty much have a sleepover in the old "Cassie's Cabin" area.

Preserving Cassie's

Steve studied the book illustration and pointed where the big trees in the picture once stood. He also remembered how the place looked before the 1980's, when new owners gave the rambling building a wooden facelift and covered all the bumps and warped features. He clearly had an appreciation for preserving the past.

Steve had fond memories of Cassie's, not just from childhood, but from performing there as a young man. His band West The Band, entertained regularly for 20 years and then he bought the place in the late 1990's. He and Mel have continued to serve up great meals and provide almost nightly live entertainment, but they've also spent time retrieving a lot of Cassie's old history. Many of the original treasures from Cassie's have surfaced in recent years.

Off to Our Hotel

Don and I headed to our hotel, knowing we would eventually be hungry and regret what we'd missed. The Irma Hotel also had lots of history, as well as a restaurant and saloon. It was built in 1902 by Buffalo Bill Cody and there was much to explore while we worked up an appetite.

The Cherrywood Bar

Eventually we ate a simple salad and a sandwich at this gorgeous carved bar. It was a gift to Buffalo Bill from one of his big fans, Queen Victoria. That's an amazing story. But we were served by a summer worker from Eastern Europe and she knew nothing about the history. There was no live music and no dance floor.

Dining in Cody?

We left Cody with some good memories, but our travels only allowed us enough time for 1 meal in Cody. Next time, we will come hungry and have a real dining adventure at Cassie's! Not just juicy steaks, but maybe some dancing on the big wood floor! Next time!

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The Old Hillvilla Restaurant, in Portland

Dan & Louis Oyster Bar in Portland, OR

Fairmont Chateau Laurier - Canada

The Homestead Resort in Utah

Deer's Head Inn - Upstate New York

Half Way House, Near Richmond, VA

Commander's Palace in New Orleans

La Placita, in Albuquerque

Parry's Lodge in Kanab, Utah

Wild West Dining in Cody, Wyoming

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