Food for the Soul

Didn’t I promise that I’d be better about blogging? I did. In my defense, I’ve been really busy at work and at home. And I have a lot to blog about, so a short entry wasn’t going to cut it.

First off, Bill has been away since last Tuesday. He was sent to assist with an audit in Los Angeles (my former stomping grounds!) and will be back late Friday night. I’d say that it’s been strange without him, but I’ve been keeping myself so busy that I haven’t had a chance to really notice how weird things are without him. Yes, that’s intentional.

This isn’t to say that I don’t miss him, ‘cuz I totally do. I’ll put it this way: since he left it feels like I’ve been walking around wearing only one shoe… it’s not debilitating, but man it’s uncomfortable and feels just odd. So I’m definitely lookin’ forward to the return of my lil’ Reebok.

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I mentioned that July 4th was my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, and the one-year mark of our civil union. We celebrated by taking my parents out to the Torte Knox Bistro in Hawley, PA.

Let me start by saying it was the most expensive meal I’ve ever had in my life. Let me add that it was also the best. Yes, the best meal I’ve had to date. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ll remember every bite.

The restaurant is located in a former bank and the décor is stunning… lots of dark, wood details everywhere, and the original, antique banking equipment (including the vault complete with huge, locking door) is used throughout the place. It’s owned by a somewhat eccentric – but definitely entertaining – former actress (and dancer?) named Sheilah. What she does is this: she books 10-12 people per evening (even though the place seats at least 40 more.) Everyone sits on counter-height stools at butcher block slab counters around what’s called the “grand chef’s arena”. From there, Sheilah cooks the entire meal, all five courses.

Of course, she doesn’t just cook. She entertains. Not only with witty conversation and banter with the diners, but also in the amazing way she actually prepares the meal. She chops and sautés and whips with grand flourishes and techniques that make it clear she’s an artiste. And that’s what the meal is all about: food as art. We didn’t just eat… we experienced.

Add to this that Sheilah is what Webster’s would define as a pip. She’s charming, feisty and warm. Sure, the dinner is about her as much as it is about the food, and some people might find that off-putting. I’d completely disagree with them… she’s providing “dinner and show”; but instead of those things being separate, they’re rolled into one. Dinner is the show.

And, of course, the food is outrageously good. How good? Let’s put is this way: I detest salmon. And Bill wouldn’t even dream of touching the stuff. But we couldn’t decline when Sheilah prepared a simple smoked salmon amuse bouche, and we’re glad we didn’t… we both agreed we could have eaten a barrel of the stuff. Delicious.

Our choices for our main course (which had to be selected weeks in advance) were a crab cake, veal-on-the-bone and a filet mignon. I was the only one in the restaurant who chose the filet, and man, I’m so glad I did. First off, it was probably the best cut of steak I’ve ever had. Second, Sheilah prepared it with a sauce made of – get ready for this – dark and white chocolate and balsamic vinegar. My description makes it sound unappetizing… trust me, it was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever put in my mouth.

Lastly, the service was ideal. Sheilah’s assistant, Viviana, and the rest of the staff tend to the few diners that are there, and they do so with a perfect combination of professionalism and warmth… the entire odyssey never once feels stuffy or uptight, yet you know you are being treating to an exclusive, five-star experience.

My parents hate being the center of attention, but Sheilah and crew made them feel like guests of honor without ever once making them feel uncomfortable. I commented to her that we wanted a very special to commemorate their big day, and she and her crew simply nailed it.

Wow, what a meal. What an experience.

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So last Friday night, I had a ComedySportz away show at Yale University. The show went quite well, but I have to say: for a school with such a big name, Yale really has some dumpy parts to its facilities. The theatre where we were performing in was next to the Dean of Performing Arts’ office… crikey, what a hole.

Alas, I digress. When I got home much later that evening, there were about eight messages on the machine. Apparently, my father – while doing some handyman’s handiwork – managed to get his hand caught on/in a table saw. He was wearing protective gloves (which, by the way, you NEVER DO while using a table saw for the exact reason you’re about to read)… one of the gloves got pulled into the machine and…

Ironically, just a few weeks ago I was watching a program about intricate medical procedures on TLC. A vascular surgeon was in the ER… the same EXACT thing had happened to him. Except this guy lost most of his fingers. (And, subsequently, his career.)

My dad? Not nearly so unfortunate. Two broken fingers, but none chopped off. Oh, and 48 stitches. Apparently the glove that caused the problem also protected him enough to not lose any digits. Thankfully, this was his left had (he’s a righty) and it doesn’t look like there will be any nerve damage. In all, he’s really fortunate… could have been WAY worse.

What cracked me up about the whole thing is this: just after my dad tried to saw off his own hand, he called out to his neighbor, Craig, for help. Please know that Craig is this buff, handsome, married straight guy who lives next-door. He works out, is ultra-athletic and has about 3% body fat.

He’s also got two very poufy Pomeranians and a kick-in-the-pants wife who is the one who really runs the show.

Anyway, Craig came running over and was of NO HELP. Why? He saw the blood and was on the verge of fainting for the next three days.

I have to laugh. I’m pretty much the world’s biggest nellie wuss boy, but I know I can handle gory situations (yes, that’s experience speaking).

I spoke to my father on Saturday morning and both he and Craig are going to be fine… he was already joking about the incident.

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Not a joking matter is what happened while I was at yet another ComedySportz show in Manhattan the following night.

Again, I get home and there a bunch of messages on the machine. This time it was in reference to Nick Vita.

Nick is the husband of Barbara (nee Cunningham), a woman who I have known for well over 20 years. Barb and I went to college together and did a ton of theatre work with each other during that time frame. She’s a sweet, wonderful person… someone I don’t see nearly enough of.

Ironically, Barb, Nick and I reunited a few months back at the funeral of the mother of mutual friend. We made plans for the two of them and their kids to come up to the Nest at the end of this month.

Sadly, that won’t be happening. Apparently, Nick was at work and took a break for a cigarette… and never returned. They found him collapsed on the floor and rushed him to the hospital. He’d suffered a major heart attack and, though they got his heart beating again, it was too weak to pump blood to his brain. They declared him brain dead and, at 10:30pm, pulled the plug.

I’ll be honest: the whole thing hasn’t quite sunk in. I’m attending his wake on Thursday in Bristol… I have a feeling it will hit then. He was a really great guy and a great husband to a dear friend.

Since many of you also read Tina’s blog, it’s worth saying here that Nick was a voracious smoker. Tina and partner Jess quit recently… PLEASE encourage them to stay on the wagon.

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I have yet another ComedySportz show tonight (this time at Fairleigh Dickinson University in NJ) then I’m home to do some major house cleaning before Bill gets home. Yes, the cat has been shedding like there’s no tomorrow and the house looks like the Old West what with the fur tumbleweeds blowing by. Yecch.