FINISHING PHILLY

Having written a few on Philly, I still have one more focus...namely, the Q-Fest.  It was opening night for this GLBT film festival.

Philly is noted for having a “Gayborhood”, located in the downtown area.  My focus was on the Q-Fest, an annual GLBT film festival.  Opening night had the award winning movie called Elliot Love.  Expect it to be out on DVD. Festival went from July 12 to 22^nd with some other excellent movies and after parties. Movie venue was at one basic movie theatre.  You can see the fest by going to www.qfest.com. 

I checked into the luxurious Loews Philadelphia Hotel, located on Market and 12th.  This former bank, first sky scraper built in Philly, has some fabulous views of the downtown area.  City Hall is just a few blocks away going uptown and a the walk in the other direction will take you to Independence Plaza and ultimately Penns Landing with Reading Market just across the way.

I loved my room.  It was in a corner with an almost panoramic view.  Having a refrigerator is helpful for both leftovers and a supply of bottled water.  Being on a floor with access to the concierge club, I was able to have a nutritious breakfast each morning as the buffet was way above, "Continental".

A spa called Breathe is located in a huge fitness center. With a menu of massages, body treatments and facials, it was the later that I choose.  A most fabulous esthetician donned a facial that made my skin soft and supple.  Most of the facial centered on massaging it while putting on and taking off all kinds of skin care.  In addition, my shoulders and feet got a massage as well so that they wouldn't feel left out.

Sole Food is the name of the restaurant located on the ground floor, lobby level specializing in...seafood.
A chef's tasting included: Snapper Filet with calamari escabeche, swiss chard, red bliss potatoes, saffron aoili; Grilled Spanish Octopus with fingerling potatoes, melted leeks, citrus, chorizo vinaigrette; Pastrami Pork Belly of which the pork is in brine for 4 days, smoked 4 hours, covered with a pastrami crust and served with a roasted tomato jam; Seared Diver Scallops with freshly made ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese and corn, served with salty corn and truffle butter; Grilled NY Strip Steak with trumpet mushrooms, crisp potato, bleu cheese, shallots and tomatoes.  

NO SMOKING OR LIMPING

Ernie (John Bolton), a wanna be rocker enters to the front of the stage with the curtain behind him and talks to the audience…that is, the audience of an alcoholic type meeting group with Nicotine being the addiction.  A few words and into song about his wife, Pam (Farah Alvin) being the last smoker in America.  

The curtain opens to reveal a suburban kitchen, Pam in a robe and a high-tech device on the wall called ASPHYXIA an acronym for Anti-Smoking Penalty Help You Xpect  In America.  It spouts that the penalties for smoking are: heavy fines and social ostracism as well as telling us that new and stricter laws of jail time will soon come.   Pam takes out a cigarette from a cookie jar and is tempted to smoke it singing, “How Can I Quit Now”. 

Ex-smoker Ernie is on nicotine gum and without it tends to go into a bit of anger.  A plastic blow up clown is used to punch…for now.   Their teenage son, Jimmy (Jake Boyd), enters after dad goes out asking mom if he could have a cookie.   We get that Jimmy’s addiction is sugar and video games.  He takes pills for being hyper, tending to forget to take them.

Next we meet Phyllis (Natalie Venetia Belcon), their token African-American neighbor who always seems to be in a good mood.  She is being appointed as the district’s no smoking captain.   We first get to hear Belcon’s vocal abilities as she sings, “Let The Lord Be Your Addiction”.  

Now, let me pause and say that the dialogue and lyrics are humorous .  During this number the back wall cabinets open with Ernie and Jimmy dressed as the Osmond Brothers.   This wall will be used for stints such as this.  

We then get Jimmy behaving “Black” rapping a song called, “Gangsta” and wanting to take on that identity.    The audience is involved as well as Ernie rapping with him.  Soon, Pam joins in and then enters Phyllis to complete it.

Ernie will sing “Straight White Man” giving Bolton the opportunity to show off his vocal cords and movement.   Let’s not forget Alvin, who will get her turn a few times, let alone Belcon belting out a few. 

Back to the script…Pam, who does take some puffs, has to leave for fear that she will get caught.   What this whole thing turns out to be is a political statement on privacy at home.   What is next?  

So, what we have here is a 90-minute show (no intermission) with some dialogue but mostly songs of which the book and lyrics are written by Bill Russell, music by Peter Melnick.   On the whole, I found the show to be entertaining and funny.  Talented performers.   Story was a bit choppy.   Too many “things thrown in” for humor or whatever.    Audience involvement was awkward. 

The Last Smoker In America is playing at the Westside Theatre….upstairs.   Not for the handicapped.   Funny thing was that I noticed that the first seat in front of me had a wheel chair notice on the side.   Why?

IMPECCABLE ITALIAN ASELLINA

Grab an Ama Italian beer at Asellina’s back bar during happy hour but don’t worry about the slice of lemon on the glass.  Those citrus slices that accompany our drinks were originally used to keep away the bugs.  The only place you might encounter one is if you are dining in the back garden.   

Ristorante Asellina, located at Park Avenue South and 29^th St, is huge.   Entrance puts you onto the front bar and side lounge area with cushy seats. Into the main dining room with comfortable space between you and the next table.   Continue walking toward the back and down the stairs to another dining room with a bar.  More casual looking and leading to a garden with seating as well.

Chef Marco Porceddu hails from Sardinia, Italy, with a menu that is quite savory.  Genova immigrant Massimo Schiavon was our waiter as I was interested in a tasting of the fare beggining with a specialty of Stuffed Cerignola Olives.  Stuffed with a mousse of roasted veal, mortadella, carrots, celery, truffle and onions the olives are then rolled in semolina and quickly deep fried.  

Antipasti of various Italian cured meats (including Speck) and a few cheeses.   Last appetizer of a chilled Seafood Salad with shrimp, scallops, calamari, octopus, lemon and vinegar.  Salad is marinated overnight and served on a plate with cantaloupe and frisee.

A list of fresh pastas included two dishes that I absolutely loved.   Pistachio Garangelli (the pasta) contained hand made sausage and wild mushrooms.  A little rosemary and thyme, a taste of garlic and leeks, chicken stock and some white wine with a hint of parm cheese.  Out came a sundried tomato infuse spaghetti served in a sea urchin with Italian fennel sausage and shrimp in a light brandy sauce.  

An entrée of Lamb Burger appeared.   Ground and seasoned lamb served atop Carasau bread.  Pickled green tomatillos are made into a compote and served aside and atop the burger that is sprinkled with Pecorino Sardo.  A side of freshly made house fries seemed to have a familiar taste…truffle oil! 

I saved room for dessert as I had to sample the gelatos and sorbets as well as the chocolate cake, cannolis (with and orange liquor) and specialty of Fresh Basil Panna Cotta served with candied pine nuts and a tomato sorbet.   Certainly a savory dessert. 

Meal ended with a glass of Limoncello imported from Sorrento.Not only was the food great but the service here is impeccable. Plates and silverware changed for each course. Now that’s fine dining.

In case you want a picnic basket to take to a park, they have one that serves four people to include:  Dry-aged Cacciatorini wild boar salami, wheel of Tomino cheese from Torino, roasted red and yellow pepper and mixed Italian olives, ciabatta bread, grapes on the wine, handmade pasta salad with veggies, Sicilian tuna salad, lemon pound cake and two liquids – bottled water and a bottle of wine.  Plastic ware, cups and napkin included.   You have to leave a deposit of $50 for the basket.  For reservations call 212-317-2908.

NYCB THEATRE AT WESTBURY SCHEDULE

August      7                  Cinderella (Children Summer Show Series)

August      14                Alice In Wonderland (Children Summer Show Series)

August      14                Little Feat & Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes with Amy Lennard

August      18                Rock N Blues Fest Starring Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter & More

August      19                The Wiggles: A Celebration

August      21                Peter Pan (Children Summer Show Series)

August      24                Elvis Tribute Spectacular starring Shawn Klush & More

August      31                Steve Vai

September 1                John Kay & Steppenwolf with The Bourbon Stills Band 
September 2                The Marshall Tucker Band with Stanton Anderson

September 5                IL Volo

September 7                IL Volo

September 8                Charlie Daniels Band & The Commander Cody Band

September 12              J. Geils Band

September 14              Russell Brand

September 15              Darius Rucker

September 16              The Fresh Beat Band – Live In Concert

September 20              Bret Michaels

September 21              Sinbad

September 22              Jackie Mason

September 23              Celtic Thunder

September 28              Nitty Gritty Band & Asleep At The Wheel 

September 29              Doo Wop Extravaganza

September 30              Gabriel Iglesias

October      3                LI Cares Event: Tom Chapin (School Groups Only)

October      5                Clannad

October      6                Theresa Caputo (Matinee Added)

October      7                Richard Scarry’s Busy Town Busy

October     12               Engelbert Humperdinck

October     18               Weird Al Yankovic

October     19               Asia

October     20               Hot Autumn Night starring Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone & More

October     26               Al Green & Lalah Hathaway

October     27               Melissa Etheridge

October     28               The Price Is Right Live!

November   2               Roger Hodgson: Legendary Voice of Supertramp

November   3               Jay Black & Bill Medley

November   4               Gary Allan

November   10             Fitingo Music presents En Vogue & Lillo Thomas and Friends

November   11             ImaginOcean

November   24 & 25     The Moody Blues

November   27             Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Extravaganza

December   2                B.B. King

December   6                Father Charles and Laurie

December   13              The Irish Tenors Christmas Spectacular

December   15              Chef Robert Irvine

December   20              Straight No Chaser

May 17 2013                 Johnnn Mathis

May 18 2013                 Johnny Mathis

BUY TICKETS AT LIVENATION.COM.  CHARGE BY PHONE AT 800-745-3000

SELECT TICKETMASTER LOCATIONS and the WESTBURY BOX OFFICE

All dates, acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice.

Tickets subject to applicable service charges.

Visit www.TheTheatreAtWestbury.com for more information

PEA POD VS STOP & SHOP AKA FLAVORED FROZEN FOAM

Pea Pod is a delivery service company connected with the grocery chain known as Stop & Shop.  When there is a load of food to buy it might be easier to get it delivered as they will even come into your home and place the bags on your kitchen floor.  The service is just a bit higher than if I took public transportation but lower than a one way trip by car service.  You have to depend on receiving what you don't see, other than what is online.  There is, however, a guarantee and if you are not happy with the product they will deduct the amount from your bill.

Stop & Shop has a double your money back guarantee and you pretty much do get to see what you buy.  Produce can be a bit of a problem in both cases as there is no opportunity to taste the product as there may be if you went to Fairway Markets.  Tasting produce also poses a situation of that it is not washed.

I placed an order with Pea Pod and was not satisfied with some products and also found that not all products sold at Stop & Shop are available on Pea Pod.  I called customer service and got someone who thinks he knows it all but doesn't, if you know what I mean.

Cherries.  At this time of year, I expect them to be sweet.  They tasted tart.  He first argues with me that the ad does not specify that they are sweet or may not be fully ripe.  Give me a break!!!  They did not look as if they needed to ripen and why send them to me if they weren't!!!

Next was a head of romaine lettuce which was obvious that no leaves were removed.  You know what I mean by that.  I'm pulling off a bunch of leaves and there is brown ruined whatever near the stem.  Add to this that it is bitter!!!  If I wanted bitter I'd buy escarole!


I bought two packages of Center cut loin pork chops bone-in.   One package is perfect.  The other has chops with lots of fat and looks more like "seconds".  Give me what I order and don't try to slip something in that is not as good!


The last one took over 10 minutes of arguing.   I wanted Ice Cream.  I looked at all of the brands offered and just about all of them were listed....except...GRAETER'S!!!!!   I thought I'd try a different brand than my usual and decided on Breyers Ice Cream and chose a plain chocolate which appeared to have sugar and not corn syrup.  Oh yeah...did I tell you that they are allowed to substitute?


Here was this 1.5 quart which read Frozen Dairy Dessert.  What the hell does that mean?   I called Graeter's to speak with Bob Greater.  He informed me that in order for a product to be labeled as "ice cream" it had to meet the minimum standards of having at least 18% butterfat.  Not only is this product lacking in mouth consistency but allowed to have 50 percent of air pumped into it.   Now I understood why the weight of what was supposed to be 48 ounces felt like less than 2 pounds.


So, I'm trying to explain this to the know-it-all.  "It sounds like ice cream, to me" was his answer each time I gave him the data.  When I look at it now, on Pea Pod's website, I don't think that I ordered the one that reads Breyers Ice Cream Extra Creamy Chocolate as that one lists it as having corn syrup. 

It took a whole bunch of talking to get my refunds which he construed as being a "courtesy".  Good grief!  With economizing it is important to get what you pay for....and please don't post as a 100 percent satisfaction if you're not going to take care of it.   Cherries should be sweet unless listed as "tart",  romaine lettuce should not be bitter,  Ice Cream should be Ice Cream and not Frozen Dairy Dessert and if you are not going to view the meat make sure that what you package is consistent!!!

FINDING PHILLY MUSEUMS

With so many museums it seems that Philadelphia has added two more in the last few years; the Barnes Foundation and the National Museum of American Jewish History.  Both located in the area known as Center City, I ventured out to experience them.

Let me begin by saying that I took Amtrak from Penn Station. If you travel at off hours you can wind up paying about the price of a bus ride.  Amtrak is so much less than traveling by air and without the long lines for both check in and security.  I noticed people with lots of baggage as well as Red Cap service.  Business class will up the price of about $15 and consider that it is a lot cheaper than the difference between coach and first class on an airline.  The trip itself will take longer than going by air but take into account the time you have to be at the airport before your plane leaves as well as the weather and how close you can arrive at your destination, which may be closer than the airport.

When I arrived at the 30th Street Station there were options to getting to my hotel.  Although I made my way with just a backpack...I'll tell you how to do it...I would have opted for a taxi.  There are several ways to get around Philly, one of which is the off and on Trolly Works that is part tour which costs $27 for adults an operating from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (weekends until 6 p.m.).  

Phlash, another trolley, picks up every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and not on all weekends.  With 19 stops, it will cost you $2 per person per ride.  An individual all-day PhlashPass is just $10, and an all-day family Phlash pass (two adults and two children ages 6-17) is just $15. Children under 5 and seniors are always free.  Forgot to tell the driver how old I was. 

Then there is the SEPTA, their subway system, which will take you further than Center City, the downtown area. 

The Barnes Foundation, which recently opened, is located at 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, just near the Rodin Museum.  I'm going to describe my experience of it and all about art.  It's like Albert C. Barnes and Laura L. Barnes had a huge art collection and needed a building to put them in.   Then they asked some friends if they wanted to house their art collection as well.   I didn't ask for a docent to take me around nor did I rent an audio tour.  For me,  not a lover of the fine arts, it was inundating.   I felt as if I needed a GPS to get around and wasn't sure as to whether I was in that same room again.   I didn't notice that there are numbers on each of the entrances.  

Diversification is the key to the art (some of which is sculpture as well) which reflects a broad range of periods and culture.  A docent one-hour tour costs $40;  an audio rental is $5.   Each of the rooms has a "book" that will tell you about each of the paintings.    General admission is $18 for adults.   I know that there is horticulture involved with the museum but time did not permit me to explore.  

The National Museum of American Jewish History, a Smithsonian affiliate, tells the story of American Jews who have arrived to North America from 1654 to the present.  Exhibiting and interpreting the American Jewish experience this five story building located on Independence Mall is the only museum in the nation dedicated solely to telling the story of Jews in America.  They moved from a smaller building near the same area.

With 25,000 square feet of gallery space on almost four floors, the core exhibition explores the challenges that Jews faced, celebrating their experiences in every part of American life as well as every phase of this country's history.  

Featured are more than1,200 artifacts, original films and 13 state-of-the-art interactive displays including "Only in America" Gallery/Hall of Fame of Jewish Americans with remarkable achievements.  Among the first 18 honorees are Louis Brandeis, Albert Einstein, Estee Lauder, Jonas Salk, Steven Spielberg and Barbara Streisand. 

Currently, and until Sept. 30, 2012,  the main exhibit is called "To Bigotry No Sanction", an historic correspondence between George Washington and the Jewish community of Newport. Washington's iconic address to "the children of the stock of Abraham" placed an emphasis on the confirmation of his commitment to a government that "gives to bigotry no sanction".  

On display is an array of documents, publications and portraits from both American and American Jewish History that include: a public printing of the letter from George Washington to the Jews of Savannah; First public printing of the US Constitution; and the original correspondence between Washington and the Hebrew Congregation of Newport.  

I found this museum to be overwhelming as there is so much to see.  Looking back I would have a full breakfast and get there at 10 a.m.  Break for something to drink at their cafe after two hours, and continue for another two hours.  No photos, so you may want to take notes.  They close at 5 p.m.  Basic cost is $12 for adults.  Check it out on www.nmajh.org.  

LE VIRTU

With all of the Italian restaurant in Philly, I chose one called Le Virtu, located at 1927 East Passyunk Avenue. Their website read, "The inspiration for Le Virtu (The Virtues) comes from our experience at the tables of family, friends and farm restaurants all over Abruzzo. Every dish we prepare is rooted in or inspired by Abruzzese culinary tradition, ingredients or philosophy. We serve the cuisine of the shepherds, farmers and fishermen of Italy's wildest and most unspoiled region."  I knew I wouldn't be getting a plate of lasagne or meat balls and spaghetti.

Le Virtu's owners are Francis Cratil Cretarola and Catherine Lee (who gave me a list and description of the appetizer platter).  Executive Chef Joe Cicala worked on a menu tasting beginning with the Affettati Misri, selection of house-cured salumi and assorted antipasti.  It consisted of : capicolla, pancetta (pork belly), guanciole (pork cheek), loriza (pork loin), prosciutto d'anatia (duck prosciutto); ricotta allo zafferano (saffron-infused sheep milk ricotta); eggplant oreganata (mrinated eggplant), peperoni anostiti (roasted peppers); and cipolle e carote agrodolce (pickled red onion and carrots).  I'm so happy that I was able to try burrata, fresh mozzarella stuffed with what appears to be a combination of ricotta and cream.

I was most interested in having rabbit this evening since I saw it being prepared at D'Angelo's.  In fact, that is where Joe gets his rabbit.  I first tried it in an appetizer portion of fresh ribbon pasta in a rabbit ragu.  That was followed by rabbit "porchetta" style served with lemon potatoes. 

One specialty of Joe is a thick single strand of pasta that he created from simply flour and water.  

Desserts are the responsibility of Angela RAnalli.  I had the Napolione al Cioccolato e cocco...a flourless chocolate cake with coconut pastry cream along with cherry panna cotta made with amarena cherries.

I also took a few photos of the garden with its fabulous mural and herb wall.