A few photos from the Marathon

Just in case you didn't see the short movie here are several images of Dick VandenBerg running his first marathon in four years. Back in the saddle again, as they say in the cavalry.

60th Birthday at Dick and Dorothy's

Boston Marathon, the fast, musical version

Ok so you've seen some of this -- actually more of it than you probably wanted. But this one is a faster, leaner version. 

Boston Marathon 2008

Well, we returned to Boston yesterday for the Marathon.

Susie's brother Dick from Douglas, MA, was running for the first time in four years -- he's run something like 14 or 15 Boston Marathons over the years and knee surgery knocked him out for the past few years. But he's back in fine form as everyone discovered Monday.

Patriot's Day began slightly overcast in Providence as Susie and I headed off for the train station about 8:30 a.m. After a 30-minute walk we strolled into the station and after a wait of about 20 minutes or so boarded the commuter rail for Boston. An hour later we got off at the Back Bay station, and a quick 15-minute walk put us right about Hereford and Newbury streets, the usual spot for catching Dick as he closed in on the finish line.

It had been five years since Susie and I had a chance to see Dick run in the marathon. There is now live music, buskers really playing a variety of jazz styles along Newbury, as well as outdoor art for sale -- fairly kitschy I thought -- but still plenty of people come out for the show.

Anyway, another first was that we beat Dorothy to our rendezvous spot -- she got caught in some horrendous traffic snarls since the Red Sox were also playing as well! But she soon arrived and shortly afterwards Susie's sister Mary arrived, along with her daughter Mallory and their friend Karen.

It was a gorgeous day, the sun was out but the air had just enough coolness to it to be comfortable even out of the shade.

A little after 1 p.m. Dick rounded the turn off of Commonwealth avenue onto Hereford and I could see him with his hand in the air signaling to his fans -- he shot by me but I got a few quick snaps.

After we said arrivederci to Dick and Dorothy and Mary and Mallory we had some time to kill before our train so we strolled around the Boston Garden and through the Common and back again.

We were back in Providence before 5 p.m. and a stroll towards home brought us by Broadway Bistro. We thought, "hey let's stop in and have a glass of sparkling wine to celebrate the day and Dick's return to running in the Big Time." Well, the atmosphere was so inviting, the conversation with Suzanne behind the bar so engaging and the smells wafting out of the kitchen so tempting that we couldn't resist the obvious: we stayed and ate dinner.

In the twilight Susie and I strolled back to our apartment firmly convinced that it was truly grand day to be alive!

Wish you had been there,

Steve

Food, wine and song. . . in Providence

Sunday was a beautiful day here in Providence and we made the most of it. That morning Susie and I strolled over to Nick's on Broadway for breakfast -- again. We arrived a little before nine and the "joint was jumpin." The wait was 15-30 minutes but we didn't mind. With the layout at Nick's it's a great place to watch the food being prepared, the people eating it and to strike up the occasional conversation with a another "chowhound."

They finally called our name and we were soon ensconced at the bar -- our favorite place since you get to watch all the action -- and frankly on a busy Sunday morning that can be riveting.

But what to order? was our dilemma that morning; a dilemma we experience every time we go to Nick's. Derek Wagner's menus is creative, imaginative and full of wonderful ingredients. Of course it may seem rushed as you watch the choreography behind the counter but each dish is carefully and lovingly prepared. (photo: Susie's incredible dacquoise with lemon curd.)

Susie ordered one of the wraps: scrambled eggs and prosciutto with mozzarella I believe. They finish the wrap off on the griddle to give it a toasty and slightly warm edge. Incredible.

I ordered one of the specials, the potato-fennel cakes topped with a pair of perfectly poached eggs, finished off with Hollandaise sauce. For an added treat I also ordered a side of the scrumptious maple pork sausage.

Notice the greens? I asked what they were and even though Derek was moving in six directions at once, he explained that they were called "lamb lettuce," also known as "mache." His idea, he told me across two counters, was to provide both a pleasing color contrast and a refreshing crispness to the other elements on the plate. It certainly worked for me.

Oh, and we're not sure but we think we just happened to be sitting next to "Nick."

You just can't go wrong with a place like this.

Later that afternoon -- after Susie worked for a few hours at Gracie's -- the two of us drove over to East Providence to explore some of the more than 14 miles of the East Bay Bike Path.

After I picked Susie up in front of Gracie's and made a u-turn, we couldn't help but notice across the street that the revolution had returned to Providence, at least in front of the public library -- part of the Ben Franklin traveling show and exhibition going on inside I suppose.

The sun was out as we parked the car just off of Veterans parkway and started a hike along the old railroad bed that runs along the east side of the bay. The sun soon disappeared the headwinds turned rather brutal. But it was nice to be out and the bike path is a grand place for some exercise.

Monday brought even more food adventures. Susie and I spent a wonderful evening enjoying good food and great company -- or great food and even better company -- anyway we had a grand time at Gracie's.

Working with the folks at the Savory Grape wine shop in East Greenwich, RI, who brought in the owner of Easton Wines in California, Gracie's put on a spectacular dinner last evening. I had been asked if I would come and take some photos and naturally Susie came along.

We arrived about 6 p.m. and already the folks were gathering at the bar, steeling themselves for the culinary surprises hovering just around the corner in the kitchen.

Susie and I sat with Gracie regulars Bill and Christine and two other couples who happened to be big fans of the Savory Grape.

The tables were laid out with a casual elegance and the participants were a casually informal, fun loving bunch, clearly eager to learn not only about Easton's wines but also what was in store for them in the kitchen.

We didn't have long to wait. Here's the breakdown:

First Course
Tuna "Nicoise" Terrine with Crisp Leeks, Haricot Verts, White Anchovies, Cured Olives, Re Manfredi First Press Olive Oil, Tomato Water and Eva's Pea Tendrils.
Wine Pairing: 2006 Easton Sierra Sauvignon Blanc

Second Course
Truffled Fava Bean Agnolotti with Buerre Noisette and Morel and Fava Bean Fricassee.
Wine Pairing: 2005 Terre Rouge Enigma (Marsanne, Viognier, Rousanne)

Third Course
Over Roasted Point Judith Black Bass Accompanied by Crisp Pork Rillons, First of the Season Ramps (of the onion family), a Terre Rouge Buerre Noir.
Wine Pairing:1999 Terre Rouge Noir (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre)

Fourth Course
Seared Wolfs Neck Farm's Hangar Steak Glazed with Banyuls Shallot Jus and Served with Triple Cooked Chips, Pan Roasted Spicy Greens, Creamed Garlic.
Wine Pairing:2002 Easton Shenandoah Valley Estate Zinfandel

Dessert
Baked "Rhode Island," Johnnycake Sponge Cake Topped with Rocky Road Coffee Milk Ice Cream and Crisp Gooey Marshmallow Meringue.
Wine Pairing:Easton Late Harvest Zinfandel

This may sound like a small thing, but I've never, ever had fresh peas that were so perfectly cooked, nice and crisp, as if they were right out of the pod and warmed just enough. And the thin-sliced fava beans! Don't get me started on those. . . Incredible!

You should have been there. . . Just hit play!