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Cafe-Museum We were the only diners inside this little museum. last October. It was magical.  The only other diners we saw at Canova Tadolini were seated outside. They were focused on food & drink, not art. "Museo Atelier" Don and I stumbled across this remarkable place while wandering in Rome last October. The brass sign near the door, had the Italian words for museum and studio. It also had the names of 2 artists.  We knew a bit about the sculptor, Antonio Canova. We learned later that Adamo Tadolini had been Canova's prized student and this building became their studio in 1818. Ugliest Fountain in Rome We actually didn't see the brass sign right away, when we were strolling down Via del Babuino. We could have totally missed the curious art-filled cafe, if something odd hadn't caught our attention first.  This moss covered man with the odd expression, was in front of Caffe Canova Tadolini. Babuino The creepy 16th century figure is nicknamed Babuino, which means Baboon. It is one of Rome's "talking statues". I wasn't familiar with that term, but it's worth a Google search.  We studied the odd fellow lounging above the fountain, looking out over the street. The street actually had a different name once, but it became Via del Babuino, eventually. Babuino is obviously very influential! We weren't the only ones pausing to study Babuino. He has drawn attention for hundreds of years.
This dapper man paused to look at the statue, before heading off with his briefcase. Plain Building After admiring the "furry man" we noticed the building behind. It looked simple but curious, with leaded glass windows and flags.  We saw cafe tables and a pretty church, just beyond. Only a few of the cafe tables were occupied at 11 am. A Bold Entrance We headed on our way, then stopped abruptly when we spotted this bold entrance. It looked like a wild collection of statues, attempting to escape!  As we peered inside, a man greeted and invited us in.  The room we entered looked like a museum. A somewhat cluttered museum.  I made Don pose to show the size of that enormous horse. Bar The room to the left of the entrance, held a bar. Evidence that this was not just a museum. I could see food on display, as well as sculptures.  The liquor bottles shared shelf space with some smaller sculptures. A large foot here and a pair of cherubs there... Inside Dining A waiter introduced himself as Jimmy. He seemed delighted when we asked to dine inside the museum, unlike the other guests.  He took us through a doorway, past a few important looking sculpted men. There were about 4 tables squeezed into the front room.  Don and I were both pretty clueless and assumed these were marble statues. We learned more later. I posed to show just how large and impressive these pieces were.  It turns out the museum was filled with 2 centuries worth of Italian sculpture. Most of what we saw were practice pieces, preparatory models and plaster casts used for creating finished sculptures. The final works are exhibited in museums around the world.  Don and I learned a little of this from some information written in the menus. But Jimmy spoke enough English to help us understand a little more. A New Room Jimmy ended up moving us to a back room, where we could absorb even more art and history. It was amazing to sit in this space where Canova and Tadolini worked together. The studio was handed over to Tadolini and 4 generations of his family produced work here.  The studio remained in the Tadolini family from 1818 to 1967. Adamo Tadolini's great-great-grandson Enrico Tadolini, was the last to work in this space. After his death in 1967, the studio was abandoned for a period. Jimmy's Favorite I asked Jimmy which piece was his favorite in the museum. He pointed to the figure behind him, that I thought was Madonna at first.  I was a bit confused, but I believe Jimmy said the statue was a practice piece, for a final sculpture that is now displayed in the Vatican. St. Frances Cabrini I took a closer look. The woman with the angel, is actually St. Frances Cabrini, who was canonized in 1946.  A nearby display of photos gave a little insight. Although I can't read Italian. I learned with some internet help, that it was Enrico Tadolini who sculpted this massive piece in 1947.  I studied the photos and tried to imagine how Enrico created this tremendous piece inside the studio, where we were about to have lunch. My eyes were drawn to the photo of Enrico, with the face of St. Frances Cabrini. The image is almost a little sad. He looks exhausted.  I have a new appreciation for these sculptors and the strenuous work that went into these especially large pieces. I read that Canova's death at age 64, was due to the physical damage done to his body, after years working with heavy tools. Relaxing in the Corner Don and I did nothing rigorous. We took a seat at a little table where we could enjoy all that surrounded us.  The framed piece beside Don, shows a 2022 stamp that honored Canova. From my chair, I could look out towards the entrance. The tall window made me imagine the artists, working on enormous pieces.  Across from me I studied a piano, holding smaller works.
The fancy woman and her fancy chair, intrigued me. The pieces were numbered, so it felt organized like a museum.  Yet the sculptures and sketches and photographs were so casually placed, it felt just like a cluttered studio.  Which I think was the point in the 1990s, when a gallery purchased all the works. (nearly 500) The idea was to create a restaurant, yet maintain the somewhat chaotic atmosphere of the original studio. History Besides the plaster sculptures and practice pieces, there were lots of photos and articles displayed.  This one shows the studio long ago. The entrance, with its massive door. Time for Food It seemed odd to order food in a museum, but we were hungry by 11:30.
We ordered cappuccino first.  Don ordered a ham panini for a reasonable 6.50 euros.  I was excited about my toast sandwich with ham, cheese, egg and lettuce.   A tasty late morning treat. People Watching We had the back room to ourselves until a man came with a ladder. We were entertained, watching him fix a spotlight.  After a while I was entertained by a woman who came in from outside. She seemed to be in search of a restroom. She headed for the corner and seemed confused to find a dead end. Then she magically disappeared. A hidden automatic door! Just another surprise in the museum. The Three Graces After finishing lunch I decided to try out the magical mystery door, myself. I walked past the familiar statue of The Three Graces... and wondered.
Canova's original from 1814, is in Russia now. I wish I'd asked Jimmy what he knew about this piece. Was it a practice piece? Before Departing We finished our meal and I took one more snap of the incredible room where we had just enjoyed a light meal.  Jimmy thanked us for coming and insisted on taking our photo.  He placed us at a table in front of his favorite statue. I have to chuckle at our awkward, yet happy pose. It looks like I'm wearing an artist's smock! Good Bye Babunio! We thanked Jimmy for our wonderful experience at the museum.  We headed out and said good-bye to Babuino and thanked him for catching our attention that morning!
What a wonderful Dining Adventure!
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First Dining Adventure... in Greece Don and I had a quick, but memorable dining adventure at Melina Pattesserie.  We had less than one day in Greece, on our cruise last October. And we had only about an hour in the charming village of Fiscardo. Charming Village Our small group traveled around the island of Kefalonia, before stopping at the northernmost port of the island.  The buildings in the picturesque village were untouched, by the tragic 1953 earthquake that devastated much of the island. Fiscardo We parked above the village and headed down rustic stone steps towards the harbor. The peaceful setting made me want to explore, but we were so hungry. We decided to first find a place to grab a bite... of something Greek at the very least. Off Season Options Since it was off season and a Sunday, there were only a few cafes open for tourists. The blue ice cream cafe had comfy seats, looking out towards the bay.
Melina's caught my eye with the pink flowers,!  We quickly grabbed a cafe table next to the water. 
Our server arrived with menus and I was surprised that prices weren't marked higher for tourists. Colorful Even on a cloudy day, the colors of the buildings and harbor were lovely.  Don's shirt almost matched the color of the water. After a few minutes, the clouds cleared and the blue table matched the sky. Before ordering, I stepped inside the shop to peek at some of their pastries. 
The cases of desserts looked amazing and there were jars of homemade jams for sale. Coffee First The sweets were tempting, but we needed coffee first.
I ordered Greek Coffee, which came in a tiny cup. The unfiltered coffee was tasty, but bold! I was amused by the thick goo at the bottom of my cup. It did NOT taste like fudge. Breakfast It was closer to breakfast than lunch, so Don ordered Greek Yoghurt with fresh fruit and honey!  It came in a hefty crock, with generous chunks of fruit and thick creamy yogurt. So fresh! I was excited about the bread that came in a nicely folded bag.  Delicious and chewy and I was happy for butter. Not always an option. My Greek Omelet was outstanding.  Onion, tomato, peppers, feta, olives and Gouda cheese! Served on a pretty stone plate, with a colorful, fresh garnish. It was just right! Celebrities? By the time we finished up, the tables were all full. I was happy for a few minutes to wander, before departing.  Sadly I did not spot any celebrities. We learned that Johnny Depp, Madonna, Demi Moore, Paris Hilton and others have been known to hang out in this secluded little paradise! A Good Visit We spotted no stars, but we were entertained by some gulls and kitties.
And we enjoyed a delicious little meal, served by a gracious and efficient waiter.
So glad we pulled off ONE dining adventure in Greece! Great Sign & Great Ice Cream! The sign is hard to beat! This soda jerk mascot is known as Jugglin' Joe!  I'm glad I can now say, the ice cream is hard to beat also. Iconic Ice Cream Shop I've wanted to have a Gunther's Adventure for a long time. Don and I have visited Sacramento about a dozen times, since our son and daughter-in-law moved here.  We're always searching for iconic landmarks like this one. It's been on the corner here, since 1949. Started in 1940 But the business is even older. "Pop" and Iva Gunther founded the ice cream shop in 1940. They moved to this location on Franklin, in 1949.  I first drove by Gunther's last May, when we were in town visiting the new grand baby. They had just opened and there were no lines. I pulled over and parked. No time for ice cream, but I wanted to peek. Mint Green I stepped inside and smelled flavors that took me back to childhood.  The mint green tile and shiny chrome was refreshing. The displayed photos were so high it was hard to study them.   Was that Mr. Gunther in the middle? I'm glad they've kept these old treasures. The Gunther family sold the biz to Carl Buchell in 1968.  The building hasn't changed much, since this old photo. August 2025 Don and I spent all of May in Sacramento focussing on the new baby. We somehow didn't have time for an ice cream adventure.  But we returned in August and it felt much more like ice cream weather! Flavors! Scott suggested a visit to Gunther's! He packed up Baby Nora and drove us to the ice cream shop on Franklin. Once inside, it was time to make a decision.  There were so many choices! I did not pick Vietnamese Coffee.  Scott stepped up to the counter. Poor Baby Nora didn't get to order any ice cream.  As we waited for our order, I wondered about the tall counters. Too tall for the poor little boy, trying to peek at the action.  Our ice cream server on the other side looked like she might be standing on her toes too... reaching up to put our cones in the holder! It made it feel like we were all little kids. Gunther's at Last! I couldn't have been happier with my rich, high-fat ice cream! Gunther's is known for their traditional methods of manufacturing ice-cream. Made on sight daily.  My Butter Brickle choice took me back in time, once again. When my son questioned me about the flavor, I suddenly realized my childhood favorite isn't common anymore. What do you know? I feel a little sad that Nora will have to wait a long while to have her first ice cream.
But I'm pretty sure we'll be back many times. Hopefully at night, so I can see Juggling Joe in action!
Chicken in the Rough It was the chicken image on the sign, that caught my eye!  Then it was the word Palms, surrounded in lightbulbs. And the slogan! Where You See This Sign It's Genuine!  But it was the neon letters that said "Take Home a Box" that really excited me. Picnic It was a Sunday morning and Don and I were traveling through Port Huron, Michigan.  We had planned to grab food and have a picnic on Lake Huron. But the neon sign wasn't lit when we drove by. As we continued down the road I looked on the internet. The curious place had great reviews. Which Name? Then I read the hours and learned The Palms was going to be open in 5 minutes! We drove back to pick up a box of chicken.  The building was bigger than I'd noticed before. I could see another chicken sign on the side. And palm decorations. I was confused. Was this Chicken in the Rough or Palms Krystal Bar & Restaurant? Noon Maybe we'd soon find out. We parked in a side lot and waited until the clock said 12.  As we headed towards the door, the sign reminded us of Today's Special. Chicken! Great Doors! We opened the glass door and found an entryway with some glass block and a great metal door. It looked like it should be on a ship.   Once inside, I looked back and was equally delighted by the other side. I love a vintage padded vinyl door. Cozy Interior Once we stepped inside the dimly lit space, we were met with a bright voice. "Hi! How are we doing today?"  We followed the young woman and passed a long bar with comfy swivel chairs and glowing pastel lights. We were taken to a booth in an area that felt a little more like an old soda fountain.  Another, equally pleasant woman arrived with menus. "How's your day going?"  On the menu we had a better look at the cigar-smoking chicken, with golf club! Chicken in the Rough was one of the earliest restaurant franchises in the US. Founded by Beverly & Rubye Osborne in 1936, the successful business eventually had over 300 franchised outlets. Specialty Meal Don and I placed our order way too fast. If I'd seen this old photo earlier, I would have ordered this meal, that the restaurant was known for.  The dish was once referred to as "Chicken in the Rough". It consisted of half a fried chicken, shoestring potatoes and a biscuit with honey. The Port Huron location is one of 3, that still serves it. Glowing Colors While waiting for food to arrive, I took a few photos of the colorful restaurant.  The Chicken in the Rough Clock was glowing yellow, behind the bar. We should have tried the drink, advertised in bold letters.  The green neon near the restrooms was also pretty fun. Next Room Then I peeked into an additional dining room that wasn't in use. The walls were covered with framed photos and memorabilia.  I studied the list of locations, from I believe the 1940s. I love the reminder... "1/2 Fried Chicken Served Unjointed Without Silverware" Special Photo I crawled into one booth to get close enough to see this old photograph.  I heard a chuckle and turned to see the owner Jim, smiling. "Caught you!" Jim He introduced himself and seemed delighted that I was curious about the history. He explained that he'd only owned the business for 8 years, but he'd collected a lot of stories and friends over that time.  Jim pointed to the picture I'd been focussing on. He told me that he'd met the granddaughter of the man in the photo. She stepped into the restaurant, one day and asked some questions. She said her grandfather had built the current bar. When Jim pointed out this photo that included her grandfather, she was moved to tears. Beverly and Rubye Osborne Jim filled me in on the husband & wife team that got this successful chicken business started, nearly a century ago. I tried to find a photo of both, but only found this one with husband, Beverly... and his Western Girls.  Jim shared the story of when the Osbornes fled Oklahoma during the dustbowl. While headed to California, they hit a bump in road, sending the picnic lunch of fried chicken flying. Mrs. Osborne proclaimed something about "Chicken in the rough..." and next thing you know, they turned and headed back to OK City. Mr. Osborne pawned his wife's wedding ring and they started up the biz!  Whether those words were really uttered... who knows. But success did follow. The odd name and logo certainly helped them gain attention. In the 1970s after selling the biz, the Osbornes ended up in California. I'm guessing retirement might have offered some time for golf and cigars... But Jim told me that Beverly was killed in a tragic accident, during the building of their new home. Surely there's a book or movie out there about this couple. Or should be. The Building I didn't get a chance to ask Jim about the building, but it was clearly older than the neon sign.  This photo shows the interior of the building, when it operated as a pharmacy. Between 1914 and 1935. In 1936, the chicken business moved in. This photo from 1941, shows Crystal Bar with 2 buildings, as well as a Chicken in the Rough sign.  I put a red arrow on the corner of the building, where we dined. The building to the left is a parking lot now.  This photo is from the opposite corner of the building. I wish I'd asked Jim about the building's history. I'm so glad we spotted it, while driving through town. Time to Eat I'm embarrased to show my lunch choice. I would have chosen differently if I'd know about the restaurant's history, when I ordered.  But my chicken noodle soup was delish. Big chunks of chicken and fat noodles and carrots. My half of corned beef sandwich on marbled bread was just perfect. At least I did have a little chicken in my meal! Don's chicken sandwich with fries was closer to the traditional Chicken in the Rough experience.  The chicken really was amazing. The fries were a treat as well. I believe in 1949, some kind of tricky grill was designed that simultaneously fried and steamed chicken. Friendly Vibe Before taking off, we had a little more time to chat with Jim. He laughed about how he'd actually been headed towards a real retirement, when he bought the place. He said it didn't look like that was going to happen soon.  You could tell that he clearly enjoyed the staff and the customers. I hope he sticks around a while. I want to go back for the Chicken in the Rough Special!
First Meal in Strasbourg, France In 2023, Don and I spent 2 days in Strasbourg's historic Old Town.  We knew close to nothing about the historic area. We had no clue about where to dine. But we lucked out with a traditional Alsatian meal, at Caveau Gurtlerhoft. Christmas Markets We had been in Paris for Thanksgiving and added a side trip to Strasbourg, after learning about the annual Christmas Markets. After checking into our hotel, we walked less than a minute, to Place de la Cathédrale.
It was the first weekend of the monthlong celebration and things were hopping in the main square. Right across from Notre Dame Cathedral, we spotted the restaurant's red awning. Quite the Entrance Around the side of the building we found this rather whimsical entrance!  The storks caught my eye. So did the odd little red figures, with wings and tails. I guess those are gremlins. Stairs A set of stairs (below the dining room photo) took us to the entrance. However, I took this photo much later. When we arrived around 1:30, there was a crowd of hopeful diners waiting on every step.  That was enough to make us curious about the popular looking place. We decided to see about reservations for dinner. We joined the line and read the displayed menu.  We weren't sure if needed to stay in line just to make a reservation, but the line was moving and the crowded stairway was a warm. A nice break from the damp and chilly air, out near the square. Let's Stay! Suddenly there were only a few in front of us and we were standing inside. It felt cozy in the cave-like setting.  The warmth and good smells made us hungry. We asked about a table for lunch, instead of dinner. From the 14th Century Luckily we needed no reservation. I was happy to wait a little longer, gazing into the intriguing multi-level interior. I studied all the nooks and crannies. Every table looked appealing,
And so many little sets of stairs! It looked pretty tricky for the staff, carrying wine and hot soups and stews. Home to Priests and Wine Originally the building housed priests, in the 1300s. That was convenient, with the Cathedral right across.
The rustic cellar also housed wine. I guess it still does. And maybe it did when the priests were here too.
The rock walls and ceilings should have made it feel like chilly cave. But the lively dining cellar felt warm and welcoming. Perfect After a few minutes, we were given a tidy little table for 2, on one of the small landings.  I was pretty delighted with the whole set up! The wooden "headboard" had a shelf that held our wooden lamp nicely. The ladder back chairs with woven rush seats were comfy and fitting for a fairytale meal. Cellar... Cave... Church! We ordered wine and our glasses were delivered with a decorated crock of pretzels. Decorated with storks of course. The symbol for Strasbourg.  The setting conjured up memories.  I've been in lot of basements and quite a few caves in my time. This felt like a dining adventure in a cavern-cellar! The vaulted ceilings also made me feel like I was dining in a church! Alsatian Feast Luckily the menu had a little English.  Don ordered Flammekuech, an Alsatian favorite. The thin-crust flatbread was covered with cheese, cream, bacon and onion. Baked in a wood-fired oven.
Don was amused with his handy rolling tool. The board reminded me so much of one that hung on the kitchen wall, in my childhood home. I ordered Poelees de Roesti Bucheronne. Grated potato, fried with bacon, egg and cream, topped with cheese, tomato and egg.  My hearty browned pancake was the perfect dish for a misty winter day. I loved the iron serving dish and the weathered board it was served on. Quick Explore Shortly after being seated, the restaurant began turning guests away. I felt extra lucky that we'd just stumbled across this sweet place and were able to be seated.  Before leaving I made a quick trip to the restroom, which gave me an excuse to snoop around a little more. I wish I knew the stories behind all the framed photos. On my journey, I spotted yet another little stairway.  This one had red metalwork, that matched nicely with the red gremlins in the curious bathroom hallway.
I've searched the internet for the story behind this little mascot. No luck. Happy Heading Out It was late afternoon by the time we headed up the empty staircase.  We couldn't have been happier with our very first meal in Strasbourg. Traditional Alsatian food, served by gracious and efficient staff, in a storybook setting!
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The Dining Blog
This is a blog about Dining Adventures. Sometimes, I talk about food. Below, you can read how this started. On July 4th 2011, I set a goal to try 50 culturally diverse restaurants in one year! (I knew that was possible, living in the Houston area) I spent the year pulling in friends and family to join me, on some unusual dining adventures. I met some curious people, tried some scary foods and explored places and cultures I never would have otherwise. Even though I met my goal, I learned too much to end my adventures in dining. I have continued blogging about memorable dining adventures of all kinds, near and far... and all the discoveries and funny things I've learned along the way! Locations and types of dining adventures, are listed further down. Archives
November 2025
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