RAREFIED ELOQUENCE OF DINING & QUAFFS

Did you ever have one of those days when you tried to be clever and think up phrases or blog titles that would entice people to randomly scroll through your day's meanderings; but only have words pop into your mind that had absolutely no connecton with the project at hand?? This is one of those days ... strange words more attune to an English compositon or a list of flowery, medieval terminology that no one understands ... thus the above title of the Blog of the day ... perfectly meaningless!!

Paul left for work after telling us the night before that he would be in a regional meeting in Brisbane Bay. We planned to meet him in that area at the end of the day; so our plans for any sightseeing, or eating for that matter, must necessarily be directed in that direction. Fairchild Botanic Gardens beckoned us on this bright, warm, sunny day and away we went, hopefully for an adventure at least equivalent to the age-old penny walk.

After arriving and parking the car, we climbed on to a tram to begin our docent-narrated tour of the grounds. Quite lovely and technically interesting but for one small irritation ... the lady telling us stories of exotic flowers and tropical plants held the microphone too close to her lips at times; thus producing the erased-word sounds of mike feedback and adding to the growing discomfort of those seated immediately in back of her - the four of us!! (One interesting note - as she was explaining the
uses of one plant, under its technical name, she said most of those on the tram probably didn't know what the plant was most noted for - except the little lady in the first seat nodding her head ... the plant was tequila and the gal nodding her head? Yes, Jen! Isn't she so-o knowledgeable?

We were going to go closer to Miami for lunch; but on our way in search of a restaurant with fresh oysters, Paul called and said he would be delayed past his estimated 5:00 pm time because the regional manager wanted o discuss some things. We decided to drive across the Bay bridge anyway to get a look at the area and have lunch there ... perhaps more substantial midday fare and have a later dinner at home whenever Paul arrived. My goodness! How fast plans are made, rearranged, thrown out and restaged.
You won't believe the fun-time we had just winging it ...

After we crossed the bridge, drove past the hotels and Pauls place of meetings, we decided to try fresh fish at The Rusty Pelican (ever keeping in mind that Jason had not yet had oysters.) When we turned off the highway to go to the RP, we saw a sign for Rickenbacher's Fish Company and decided to try that because we were already there and it looked really interesting. Great re-choice!!

We went through the regular dining room to the outside deck ... large bar running down the center ... bar-height tables along the outside rails and open booths in other parts of the room ... ocean breezes, next to a large boat marina, scenic view of Miami buildings, ambiance was all very "Floridaish" ...we all loved it. After ordering drinks (what else?), we decided to have a selection of appetizers ...the two J's had 24 of the freshest, most delicious oysters (that was their full-mouthed opinions as they doctored the half-shells) plus an array of seafood - coconut shrimp, clam chowder, platter of peel-and-eat shrimp, a festive container of mixed seafood spread ... so-o-o delicious and fresh with the outside ocean air and hot sun and ... oh, well -I'm sure you snowbound, winter-coated sprites get what I mean.

Larry said he would take us through the Brickell area, a Miami neighborhood where they had gone with people from work. We were just going to drive through but it was rush hour and we decided to stop for -
yes - appetizers and drinks ... only because we HAD to wait to go home! We are NOT gluttonous lushes, you know!! Come on now, this is an adventure ...

We parked and roamed the neighborhood ... trees all decorated with those small Italian lights. The merchants must have all agreed to do this because any large tree trunks were all wrapped in the lights and it made the streets seem like carnival time. A huge sculpture of Samson pushing over those Corinthian columns was in the very center of a little park behind these buildings. Perhaps a photo will show up later, but Jen admired Samson ALOT!

Larry said we should go inside Perriconi's market-cafe that I'd been in last year and I really didn't think I had ever been there. He even said Jonferes was with us. After we got a table in the outdoor streetside area, Larry said he would take me back into the restaurant to "jog my memory".
Kinda felt like one of those poor souls whose memory is fading and they need a few "reminders" ... actually had been there before, but for lunch. Looked entirely different at noon, but what "jogged" my memory was the huge tree growing through the roof in the outdoor "rustic" area ... Jennifer and I had lunch there with the boys and if definitely was good food. The restaurant was built around the tree instead of cutting it down. Awesome!

We decided to call Paul and tell hm to meet us instead of going home. We feasted on a beautiful baked brie appetizer surrounded with an apricot almond syrup and lots of fresh fruit ... in keeping with the season, handcrafted heart-shaped crackers were added. This time we thought we would have a little change of pace ... sangria.

We decided to cross the street and wait for Paul at The Blue Martini. However, with her ever discerning eye (and the overly-loud synthetic music blasting away), Jen discovered they wanted $9.00 for a glass of wine that you could buy anywhere for $8.00 a bottle ... a mediocre brand at that. We decided to leave and notify Paul of our relocation. Jas checked out a restaurant called "Don't Call Me Delores" but we opted for one on the corner ... looked cool ... Rosa Mexicana.

Now this was Mexican dining! The gringo made our quacamole tableside with all fresh veggies, warm crispy chips. Waiters very attentive, patient -
Paul has now joined us, by the way, and is very hungry. Can't seem to understand our reluctance to order fast and big. Oh, if he only realized all that had preceded this little dietary sojourn. We did get it all done, however. Many laughs ... really different decor ... one large blue wall with a constant skim of running water interspersed with full lines of identical alabaster figures all doing a perfect swan dive ... haven't seen that particular idea for a water wall ... cool!

Someone was having a birthday party in another room. From all the singing and laughter, it will probably become somewhat bawdy before the evening ends ... the mariachi band members were warming up by the front door as we left ... a more formal group, clad in jet black Mexican-type suits, big black sombreros all edged with a tasteful splash of gold ... classy band ... classy eatery. Now the road trip back to our domicile ...

One thing more: as we turned the corner we noticed the "River Oyster House" ... a place recommended to us for Jason's oyster-appetite satisfaction. Needless to say, we will have to try that at another time.

Jason & Jen are going to Key Largo today (Tuesday) ... just received a phone picture from them letting us know they got there okay ... guess of what ... a huge plate of oysters... will that do it???


Well, it's time to think about cutting back ... on food ... on wine ... on pina coladas ... but who are we kidding? It's Miami, it's winter in Chicago, and it's time to enjoy... I say "party on" ... after all, wouldn't you??

Marma