It was a double-decker reunion yesterday afternoon, although I suppose it’s a misnomer to call it a reunion with Trevor, since we had seen each other maybe two weeks earlier – but still, now that he is living elsewhere with his new bride, we do not cross paths as often or as easily as before. So I appreciate every get-together. It was a fun time for seeing his honeymoon pictures and for us to work our way through Current Opera Question #9 – comparative reviews of multiple recordings of a given opera aria. On the remote chance that any of you happen to care about the specifics of this, Trevor reviewed all seven recordings he owns of the aria “Una furtiva lagrima” – and I reviewed all twelve recordings I own of “dio mi potevi” – and although most people would probably consider such an exercise about as fun as a root canal, we had a ball and can hardly wait for Question Ten. (whatever that may be.)
The other reunion, if you can call it that, was with Ted- as in Ted Turner, the co-founder and namesake of Ted’s Montana Grille, one of the best restaurants I’ve ever encountered. Kathy, her dad, and I ate at a Ted’s in Washington DC right around the corner from our hotel, and we loved it so much that we returned for a second visit – – – and when I found out that there were branches of Ted’s in the Chicago area, I was bound and determined to return. Well, stuff happens and it wasn’t until yesterday that I finally made it – and it was every bit as wonderful as I remembered. The place has tremendously delicious food, and what makes it especially distinctive is that many of their entrees, such as their pot roast, meat loaf, and burgers, can be ordered either in beef or in bison. . . and when you opt for the latter, you feel like you’re doing something spectacularly uncommon without it being too terribly strange. (Like sushi or octopus or Marinated Platypus Tongue on a bed of stir-fried water beetles.) We both went for the bison and were delighted, and the only thing left is for us to return with our wives in tow. (Kathy was slightly bummed that this was where Trevor and I were meeting – it was just a nice halfway point – so I guess she’s anxious to get there, too.) The restaurant is also environmentally sensitive, with all recycled paper products (right down to the table coverings) and even uses old fashioned paper straws rather than plastic. It’s interesting what a difference those little touches make for the better.
So there you have it – a shameless plug for my new favorite restaurant . . . Ted’s Montana Grille . . . and my fervent wish that you will find one close to where you are and check it out for yourself. Trust me – it is to restaurants what “The View” is to verbosity.