Happy Birthday to Me

I'm not usually this self-centered, but since I haven't cooked anything recently, and I'm all out of neighborhood sites to share, I figured I'd share a little about my birthday with you.

I have to start out admitting that it was a really hard day realizing that this was now my second birthday without Ted. Somehow just saying that blows my mind. How can it have been so long already? (Really it's just 15 months, but my birthday was 3 months after his passing.)

But I was determined not to spend the day wrapped in sadness so I made plans with my daughter to see a Broadway play and have dinner first.

It's funny. People always assume that since I live here I see plays frequently. Not true. First, too many $$$$. Second, I just don't think to.

But a few months ago, my daughter asked me to go see The Ferryman. She said it was a play she would have seen with her father, so she hoped I would take his place. They loved to do theater together. We scored tickets for the week before it closed.

Watching that play reminded me how much I enjoy theater, so when I saw Natasha Kern recommending What the Constitution Means to Me, it reminded me that my daughter and I had talked about wanting to see that before it closes on August 24th. So we got tickets for my birthday.

It was an interesting play with lots of politics - some I agreed with and some I didn't - but it really made you think about the U.S. Constitution and some landmark cases, about whose rights it protects (explicitly and implicitly), and whose it doesn't. (And everyone got a free pocket copy of the Constitution). What struck me most was the high school student/actress who stole the show! She was amazing!!!!

Before going to see The Ferryman, we went to an Irish Pub/Restaurant I remembered going to with Ted many years ago - O'Lunney's in Times Square. It seemed appropriate for the play. We were going to do something different this time, but in the end decided to just go back since we'd enjoyed it so much.

So I figured I'd just share dinner with you.

The first time I had fish and chips which was fabulous. Tonight I had Shepherd's Pie which was absolutely amazing. My only complaint was that it would make such a great winter dish, and the restaurant was so gorgeous with all the wood and glass, that I found myself wanting snow falling outside the beautiful window and a fire blazing while I ate it.

I forgot to take photos until we had started to eat, so these photos are partials.


My daughter had crabmeat crusted cod with mashed potatoes and some veggies.

I tried to get some photos of the pub. It was still fairly empty at the time we went.

Oh, and dessert. I joked that maybe I was the only RWA member who left Nationals without getting cheesecake at Juniors. We made that up after the show tonight. They had KEY LIME CHEESECAKE which may be one of the most delicious desserts I have ever had.

I dove right in, forgetting to take a photo again until I'd eaten half. Sorry.

Let's talk theater (and food, always food). Have you seen anything recently that you loved (or hated)?

Anyone have a good recipe for Shepherd's pie? I plan to make some this winter, but I want the recipe for their sauce. It was SO good.

Enjoying the Small, Local Places

Jan here, hoping you all had a good weekend! I heard a rumor Virginia shared a delectable recipe on Saturday. If you missed it, like I did, scoot over to her post (but then hurry back here!) Virginia's Saturday post

Wow! I'm going to have to try some of the Lilac Jelly. Our lilacs are just beginning to bud, so the timing is perfect.

You might be wondering what I was doing, since I was AWOL from the cafe.

Well, I did the most fun thing - my daughter and I took a quick road trip to Omaha :)

Now wait a minute, you big city types! Don't laugh! You can't fit the amenities of my beloved Black Hills in the same hundred square miles as a city, so for us, Omaha is the big time!

We had a great weekend. We met Carrie's friend, Sarah, and Sarah's other friend, Denise there (they're from Kansas), and we also met up with Sarah's Aunt Karen from Iowa. Karen and I attempted to keep the activities sane, and I think we succeeded!

The Deco XV

We stayed in this beautiful, recently renovated hotel in Omaha's Old Town, right across the street from...

The Orpheum

...this gorgeous theater. Originally constructed as a vaudeville theater in 1927, this lovely place underwent major renovations in 2002.

Here's a picture of the grand lobby. My camera couldn't do it justice!

And the auditorium itself is just as grand - too grand for my little camera. But if you want to know more about the theater and see more (and better pictures), go to their website: The Orpheum Theater, Omaha

Oh, did I forget to tell you what we did there?

Oh. My. Stars. What a great show! The cast, the singing, the sets, the costumes, the orchestra.... We had so much fun!

But what does one do in a city when it's time to eat? You sample the best local restaurants, of course!

To my shame, though, I forgot to take my camera when we ate. (I know, I know - any self-respecting food blogger always takes her camera to a meal!)

But I can still share our scrumptious meals.

Saturday night dinner was at an elegant place called Saigon Surface. Their website shows off some of their dishes: Saigon Surface. If you're ever in Omaha, make sure to try this place. You'll need a reservation (unless you show up at 5:30 on a Saturday night looking desperate and starving!), but it's worth the wait if you don't have one.

I had never had Vietnamese food before, but we guessed it was probably similar to Thai, which we all like. I had their Ginger Chicken Clay Pot. Yumm! And we were right - the flavors were similar to Thai, but with their own spicy zing.

After the show, we went to the hotel's restaurant for dessert (at home, it was WAY past my bedtime - but this is city life, right?) The restaurant is called The Zin Room, and they were more than willing to serve us some cheesecake. Carrie and I split a piece. Even with cheesecake, there's only so much room!

And then for Sunday morning breakfast, we wandered around the block from the hotel to The Culprit Cafe. I love - absolutely love - old world style bakeries, and this is a great one. I had a Frittata Sandwich with carmelized onions, swiss cheese, and cob-smoked ham on rustic boule bread. The Culprit Cafe

Forget any diet - I could live on those sandwiches!

Carrie and I also split a Cinnamon Roll, which was melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

And then the best surprise! The chef brought a plate of beignet "ends" to our table because he though we'd enjoy them.

(I actually think it was because of the three lovely 20-something ladies at our table!)

So now it's your turn! Tell us about your favorite local restaurant, or your favorite "big city" restaurant to visit - and be sure to include their website address if they have one!

We want to share in the vicarious pleasure, don't we?