Update in late December

Just a few random visual thoughts from the one place in North America where the idea of smooth pavement has yet to catch on and the concept of storm drains still elude the governing nabobs (see Colonel Kurtz). . .

That's right, I stand at work. . . thanks to Grant Geske!

Lindsay AKA Buffy isn't normally this shy. . .

The end of fall at Hope Artiste Village

Tallulah's Tacos at the Winter's Farmers Market

Gateau Breton - go to Brittany to sample anything better!

bouchon - buttermilk cakes with coriander sugar

And there's no brunch quite like the brunch at Nick's on Broadway.

pumpkin frittata

omelet with sausage, boursin and red pepper

Breakfast at Nick's on Broadway

Between Sunday brunch and evening dinner I've eaten quite a few times at Nick's but even though I live just four blocks away, I've never gone there just for breakfast in the middle of the week. Until now.

This morning I met up with three colleagues from work to sit, chat and have a delicious breakfast. 

Not bad for about 9 bucks a person; definitely worth the walk and the time.

Ed had the frittata

I had an omelet (bacon, sausage and provolone)

Jeff and Andrea had Eggs Benedict

Pastries for my exhibition, words to live by, Nick's on Broadway, another exhibition and selling my past

So, a little over a week ago, in fact a week ago this past Thursday, I had the opening reception of my photo exhibition at the Johnson & Wales University Library. Susie, AKA The French Tarte kindly provided the pastries. It was a nice turnout, and while I sold several pieces of art (they'll be on display through December) in my mind the pastries were the big hit.

Of course we returned to Nick's for a casual dinner sitting at the counter. . . Oh and we dropped by one of the local galleries in Pawtucket for another art reception. This one included the work of Pam Dwight, a neighbor of Susie's in Hope Artiste Village.

Lastly, I sold the jungle boots I wore in Vietnam, complete with dog-tag jammed down inside the tongue of one of the boots where it had been stuck since 1969. . . The last of my Vietnam paraphernalia is now gone.

Caramel nut tart

shortbreads

mini pain au chocolat

chocolate moelleux with caramel mascarpone swirl

financiers

"to live in hearts left behind, is not to die" - epitaph at Swan Point

sitting at the counter. . . the new gold old days

amuse buche

pasta app. . . 

beef with fingerlings and mushrooms

Susie contemplating a self-portrait of the artist (Pam Dwight by Pam Dwight)

mud from Vietnam is still caked in the instep vents

Out and about in Providence, early September update

Last year the state of Rhode Island and the city of Providence finally tore down a portion of I-195 that had sliced through the city, causing the usual urban decay of the surrounding neighborhoods, spaces that were already in serious trouble. Well, the highway is gone, and some of the property has been sold to local universities to allow expansion of their facilities.

The remainder is now being used by the city to extend streets and make some sense out of their roadway infrastructure. If that's possible. Anyway, here's Friendship Street that will soon extend from downtown (in the background) to the service road next to I-95  (directly behind the camera view shown here).

Moving downtown, as I stepped out for lunch the other day I walked over this bit of interesting graffiti on the pavement near my office.

And from my 5th floor office we have a not-so-scenic view of some of the city rooftops and those individuals in search of solace.

Oh, and then there was the Met Blimp. . .

One of the local downtown clubs catering to the energetic student population, which makes up the driving force of the city at night.

A pulled pork pretzel bread sandwich from Noble Knots, one of the more popular food trucks that abound in the city.

Andrea and her mother Barbara recently joined us for dinner at Nick's on Broadway. Located a 4-block walk from our house and one of the benefits of living in the grit of the city Derek Wagner's class eatery is one of top five favorite places to enjoy a superb meal.

local fluke

fantastic roasted potatoes

pork like you've never had it before