CAWFEE TAWK AT FAIRWAY MARKET

Having noticed the information from the signs around the coffee and tea section of Fairway Market in Douglaston, Queens, I figured that I could get much information about coffee on beans and brewing. I met with Fairway Market's Director of Coffee, Benny Lanfranco and certainly got a fill of information.

While Benny was preparing his own cup of coffee floor manager Jerry Seybert had stopped by. He's been around Fairway since 1979 and was the first "coffee guy" when they started with only 7 bins of coffee.


I then approached Benny who explains why he likes to make one cup of coffee at a time.


We finally get an introduction from Benny who had prepared various small portable methods of brewing coffee, all of which either use hot water or can be done on a stove top. Benny then spoke about Turkish coffee, a method of drinking and not that any beans are actually grown in Turkey. It requires coffee being ground to a powdery substance.


Espresso means "fast" and is just a bit more coarser than the Turkish. One shot take about 22 seconds using 2 oz. of coffee. I love the little stove top gadget, so very Italian.




Next in coarseness if for drip coffee. Rather than using a machine, Benny prepared a special elegant glass drip using a paper filter. Coffee has to be ground specifically for the brewing method you are using. I'm getting that water will go faster through a more coarse grind.



Here is an old fashioned Napolitan Italian stove top brewer that uses a drip grind. It brought up images of my trip to Naples as it can be done right at your table.



We're on to the French Press which is coarser than the drip. Depending upon the size of the press, it is another facility that can be prepared at your table and brewed for 4 minutes. Some French presses can also be used to brew loose tea.


The last method is using a percolator. Do your remember those? Now, they are most used at catered functions.

All of the coffee beans are roasted at Fairway. I was able to watch the "green beans" roasted. A chart is given to the person doing the roasting that will determine whether it will be light, medium or dark roast. Benny showed me samples of the various roasted beans noting how much oil is present in the dark roast.







We then talked about acidity in coffee saying that it has to be balanced and is pre-determined by the soil of where it is grown. He tells me that there is a lower acidity in places such as Costa Rica and Guatamala vs. coffee from Africa like the Ethiopian.




My batteries ran low before we could chat about the peaberry coffee. I had heard that the one from Tanzania was delicious although a bit high prices. When you see the roasted coffee beans they are "halved". The plant produces a "twin" bean whereas the peaberry, a single bean.

Now that I have that Italian single cup espresso do-hicky, I bought a coffee grinder from Krups. It says here: "Coffee that is ground too fine for a particular brewing process - (fine espresso grind used in an automatic drip coffee machine) will result in over-extraction and bitter, pungent tasting coffee. Conversely, coffee that is too coarse for a particular brew method will result in under-extraction and weak, watery coffee. It the correct grind is used, adding more coffee simply makes a brew stronger without making it bitter".

There seems to be more settings than just the ones we talked about. Has something to do with ones taste. I will ask Krups for further assistance on this.

ST. PAUL ENDING

I could see the St. Paul Cathedral from my window. I'm certain that the architect is just fabulous both on the outside and inside. I wanted to view a synagogue that had a history. It was Mount Zion Temple on Summit Avenue that drew me. As it turns out Mount Zion Hebrew Congregation is the first Jewish temple in all of Minnesota and established even before Minnesota became part of the United States. It was designed by Erich Mendelsohn. The Reform Synagogue does not look as if it were built and founded in 1856. "A first glance at the bold sweep of the building and its irregular outlines, at the austere towers, and another at the simplicity of glass, brick and wood of the interior, speak of today rather than of the past."

My tour involved a description of the architecture as well as historic pieces and art in the forms of paintings and glass stained windows that were placed in front of rather than in the window itself.

The day continued with lunch at another historic site, the Lexington Restaurant at Grand Avenue. An original pub from the 1930's, I was able to detect the elegance and sophistication. Chicken and Wild Rice Soup preceded my entree of Walleye with asparagus.

I have a 2 p.m. showing of the Omnivision of Amazon set at the Science Museum of Minnesota. I love watching just about anything in Omnivision. Skipped a tour of the museum for a tour of Wabasha Street Caves, located at 215 Wabasha Street South.

These caves are above ground and said to be haunted. They used to grow mushrooms here so they have one entranceway to a room in the shape of a mushroom. Site of former St. Paul gangsters, tours are offered to include another about the hauntings.

A second evening was spent at Covington Inn, a bed a breakfast on Harriet Island. What makes this b&b different is that it is a buoyed and buffered floating boat on the Mississippi River with a view of the skyline of downtown St. Paul. The boat is trimmed stem to stern in mahogany, brass and bronze. I bedded down in the Masters Quarters, a suite on the second floor accessible by spiral stairs. Three sides of windows and a terrace. "Lobby" has the dining area and living room.

I was hoping to take a boat ride thinking that the Padelford Packet Boat Company was going afloat while seeing a play called Escanaba in da Moonlight put on by Flying Pig Productions using local talent. Cute show and an ending to my days in St. Paul.

For more information, go to www.visitsaintpaul.com

ST. PAUL CONTINUED

Check in time! Going to the Saint Paul Hotel in the downtown area,known for its old-world charm and European inspired elegance, and accommodating the most discerning business and leisure travelers every day. I believe that the hotel is turning 101 years old. Great location as they have complimentary local transportation that will take you to such attractions as the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul Cathedral and Minnesota State Capitol crowned by the largest unsupported marble dome in the world. I suggest they get an 18-hour Z-bra.

There are parks located just outside the hotel of which have Peanuts character sculptures. I am told that Charles M. Schulz, the creator, was born in St. Paul and wish to gain their claim to fame.

Across the street is the Landmark Center that serves as a cultural center for music, dance, theater, exhibitions, public forums, and hosts countless special events. There was no particular event going on, but went upstairs to see two of the galleries. One was American Association of Woodturners Gallerie, of art that offers a view of contemporary works created in wood and also features educational exhibits, a display of vintage lathes.

On the opposite side is the Schubert Club Museum which houses an educational exhibit of musical instruments, music boxes and more. It happened to be closed when I was there. Peeking in I could see this massive sculpture of instruments.

The dinner hour has arrived. Found this Russian restaurant called Moscow On The Hill, located at 371 Selby Avenue that features both the authenticity and flavored vodkas. Shot down a few like horseradish, honey, and Chateau Marusya (cherry). Some of the vodkas are topped with a skewer of gherkin.

Onto the food commencing with appetizers. Russian Herring - cured herring filet, onion, olives, pickled beets, baby potatoes, dill, cold-pressed sunflower oil. Had to have Borscht, the classic Russian beet soup with cabbage and potatoes garnished with sour cream and fresh dill. That was followed by Blini with Caviar, a crepe blini filled with salmon roe, with dill, scallions, and sour cream.

Hand-made Dumplings are a must. There are two kinds. Pelmeni are traditionally filled with meat, while Vareniki being meatless. For instance, I had the Siberian Pelmeni with beef and pork brushed with butter and garnished with sour cream, served with vinegar. The Vareniki, a Ukrainian ilk was filled with potato and caramelized onion, garnished with sour cream and fresh dill.

I chose the Babushka Stew for an entree, a pork shoulder stew in a clay pot, sauteed vegetables, parsley and mashed potatoes.

Chef Gary Krasner was called to my table when I sampled the "White Russian" Tiramisu. I could not imagine why a Russian restaurant would offer tiramisu. I dare any Italian restaurant to compare their version to the one here! It was exactly the way I expect tiramisu to be. Espresso and Kahlua macerated lady fingers, Mascarpone cream (not that whipped cream kind that cheats on the Mascarpone content), dusted with cocoa powder. OMG! Since I am a chocoholic, I also had two Belgian dark chocolate cocoa dusted truffles.

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

St. Paul, Minnesota, tended to be the "quieter" city than was Minneapolis. It did not lack for ways to occupy myself, taking in many attractions and dining spots.

It was in the morning that I landed at the St. Paul/Minneapolis airport, too early to check into my hotel. Tour time! One area, not totally in the downtown area, are the main streets of Summit Avenue and Grand Avenue. Summit Avenue is said to be the country's longest span of preserved residential Victorian architecture. Lined with Victorian homes converted into boutique shops, Grand Avenue is considered to be both an historic residential and "hip" commercial neighborhood.

Since I was unable to do more than look at homes on Summit Avenue, I stopped in some of the stores on Grand. Always thinking of food. Penseys Spices and Seasonings. What a fabulous array to cook with!

Not far away, on 7th Street West, Cosetta's Italian Market caught my attention. Cheeses, meats, deli and a cafe. I heard that they are noted for their pizza. I was saving my appetite for lunch at Saji-Ya at 695 Grand Avenue. Need I say what type of cuisine? I read, "Long-time sushi lovers know that Saji-Ya serves only the freshest fish and has an experienced team of chefs lead by our executive sushi chef 'Manny' Ortega. Yet this destination hot spot, located on St. Paul's Grand Avenue, serves more than sensational sushi,fabulous lunches, excellent Teppanyaki (grilled Japanese cuisine) and Japanese entrees grace Saji-Ya's exotic menu." I naturally engaged in some sushi and maki rolls.

Passed on dessert as Grand Ole Creamery was just down the block. This old fashioned ice cream parlor serves up super-premium ice cream and lots of flavors.

Back on Summit Avenue to tour the James J. Hill House. "Rugged stone, massive scale, fine detail, and ingenious mechanical systems recall the powerful presence of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway. Guides lead tours that help you imagine family and servant life in the Gilded Age mansion. Completed in 1891, the red sandstone residence was the setting of the public and private lives of the Hill family."

Heading in to the downtown area, there was an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center about the year 1968. "The social forces that swirled through the turbulent 1960s crested in 1968. It was a turning point for a generation coming of age and a nation at war. The year saw the peak of the Vietnam War, the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, riots at the Democratic National Convention, assertions of Black Power at the Olympic Games and feminist demonstrations at the Miss America pageant. Hair opened on Broadway, Laugh-In debuted and became the number-one show on TV, Bonnie and Clyde and The Graduate picked up Oscars and Johnny Cash gave a legendary performance at Folsom Prison. President Lyndon Johnson spoke of a country “challenged, at home and abroad” in his State of the Union address; his successor, Richard Nixon, promised in his nomination acceptance speech that 'the long, dark night for America is about to end.' In the closing days of the year, we saw Earth in its entirety for the first time from the window of the Apollo 8 space capsule." The exhibit goes until February 20th, then tours other cities.

ON A CLEAR GAY ON BROADWAY

Dr. Mark Bruckner (Harry Connick, Jr.) approaches the lip of the stage introducing himself to the 1974 Annual Winter Meetings of the American Psychoanalytic Association about his unusual case. “The subject”, he says, “is a 29 year old homosexual male who lives in a rental apartment in Greenwich Village, and works as an assistant in a neighborhood flower shop”. The doctor also tells us that the story isn’t only about the patient but what happened to him, an experience which transformed his way of thinking about time, love, death and big band music.

On A Clear Day You Can See Forever recently opened on Broadway as being a “newly imagined production”. I had not seen the original Broadway version (which I understood ran a total of 280 performances in 1965) or the movie that starred Barbra Streisand.

Here’s the thing. Bruckner teaches a class on hypnosis. One of his students, Muriel (Sarah Stiles) brings her best friend, David (David Turner), who is trying to quit his five-pack-a day cigarette habit. David is quite susceptible to hypnosis as well as being undecided about whether he should move in with Warren (Drew Gehling), boyfriend and lawyer.

During the hypnosis David begins talking and singing like a woman. This woman, Melinda (Jessie Mueller) was a singer in the 1940’s and dead. Nevertheless, the doc, who seems to be still mourning his wife, falls in love with her. So, he is communicating with David’s past life while David is under hypnosis. I hope you’re still with me on this.

In stage reality, the doc is falling in love with David although you do see Melinda’s life. In fact, each time David is awakened he gets the feeling that the doc is falling in love with him, which makes it more complicated regarding his beau.

Let’s now get to the nitty gritty of it all with what irks me. The draw is Harry Connick, Jr. Yes, he is charming, handsome and is a fabulous singer. If you enjoy watching a piece of wood, then you’ll appreciate his one note expressions. I know that there would not have been a homosexual character on stage in 1965 and frankly, it doesn’t really work, considering that the lead is supposed to be an intelligent shrink. I have noticed many Broadway shows sporting a token gay male (hardly ever a lesbian). Are we still with the stereotype gay male/Broadway musical? Is this in hopes to draw out the gay community who will hear that act one ends with Harry Connick, Jr. kissing “a boy”?

On the positive side, it may be worth it to experience Jessie Mueller and David Turner. Mueller, who is making her Broadway debut, far surpasses the acting ability and, I’m afraid, singing ability of Connick. In case the show doesn’t do well I hope that Mueller will come back to us.

The three recognizable songs. “Come Back To Me” (sung by Connick and Gehling) showed off Gehling’s talent. “What Did I Have That I Don’t Have” and “On A Clear Day”, were the other two. Loved the rest of the score. Credit is given to Burton Lane for the music and Alan Jay Lerner for the lyrics. Small production with no elaborate production numbers. Good choreography. On A Clear Day You Can See Forever is a thumbs up and thumbs down for me.