Waiting for the storm to arrive, a couple of things of local interest.
As we have commented before, the world of chefs and
restaurants is an ever changing and evolving phenomenon. Sometimes places open with “newcomers” that
have never owned/run a restaurant before (“I’ve always dreamed of opening my own restaurant”) and other times
people that have been associated with other ventures open new horizons. The first set usually go broke, but
restaurateurs (note there is no “N” in that word!!!!!) with some experience
have a better chance.
So lately I’ve learned of a couple of places that will have
new lives with “old” people. First, the coffee
house in Leonardtown that was known as The Brewing Grounds will be morphed into
the BTB Coffee Bar. Also apparently it
will also serve adult beverages, and hopes to create a “speakeasy” format of
some sort. Supposedly they will build a
bookcase and “Behind The Bookcase” will be where you can purchase those adult
beverages (along with caffeine I’m sure). And the new owner is not new to food
service nor Leonardtown, it is none other than Brad Brown whom you may remember
came with CiCi’s Pizza and then did a stint at the Front Porch, and more
recently at the Hilton Garden Inn on the Solomons So we will see how it works out. Will be interesting and maybe something
different.
The other news is that there are new developments down on
St. Georges Island. The place that was
the legendary “Evan’s” has over the years undergone several changes and
renovations. Somehow (IMHO) no matter who, they never quite caught on,
but now I have reason to hope, because the new occupant
will be called the Ruddy Duck Seafood and Ale House. The first two words should give you a clue! Ruddy Duck (Brewery and Grill) is the successful brewpub over in Calvert and the new Seafood and Ale House will be run
by the same experienced team of the Kelley’s and the indefatigable Carlos. With Michael Kelley’s hand guiding the
kitchen, I am sure the food will be excellent, and Lisa knows what service
can be. They have a track record of excellence in both. I am told the emphasis will be
on seafood (duhh) and there will be some of the same brews available from the
original Ruddy. Watch for information on
opening and so forth.
So there’s a couple of new things to watch! No Chains involved …
Traveling
Two weeks from this day, MFO and I will again get in the
giant silver bird, and head for France.
This will be the year of foreign travel for us, with a couple of ventures
to France, and another to England. We’ll take ‘em one at a time, but this first one
will be with French Country Waterways, a travel company that specializes in luxery barge
travel on the extensive canal system in France.
While that doesn’t sound exactly exotic, they are small capacity (ours
will have 12 travelers) beautiful barges, have a chef on board, a wonderful
cocktail hour daily and are “just right”.
They are built around enjoying the French countryside and good food and wine,
and travel through wine regions. Our
first trip was through the heart of Burgundy, from Dijon south. The second journey took us through Champagne
country. Each time we visited the
legendary vineyards and houses that produce some of the greatest wines in the
world. The first trip included what
remains the best (in this case the word is accurate) meal of my life (yes,
nosing out Inn at Little Washington) at Lameloise in Chagny. This trip (through northern Burgundy) will also
include a Michelin Three Star dining experience at Restaurant Bernard Loiseau
in Saulieu in La Côte d’Or. Real food
nuts might recall that Bernard was the chef who committed suicide ten years ago
when he felt his third star was in jeopardy.
Anyway something to look forward to, just have to get
through the angst of preparation first. We’ll
be spending a day or so in Paris to decompress before meeting the tour group in
the Hotel Regina.
Okay, back to check the radar for the one hundredth time
today.. not sure today will be a day to
DFD
No comments:
Post a Comment