All in Good Fun

17:35 hrs
29 Sep 14

     So after an interesting day of playing Hounds and Hares that resulted in the apprehension of an "at-large/off property" over weight female Bull Mastiff and the safe rescue of a Chee Hoo-ah Hoo-ah cross, I had to come up with something inventive for supper. I had veggies, rice and a defrosted pork tenderloin to work with. It was a no brainer. Chinese stir fry.

     Cook the rice, season with Kikoman Soy Sauce and sesame oil. Slice the pork into thin medallions and season with cumin, fennel seed, chili flakes, sea salt and brown sugar. Muck it about and let rest. Dice and chop all your veggies. Onions, peppers, carrots, garlic and the mystery veggie.

     Fire up the wok and cook the pork until browned on each side. Remove and set aside. Toss in your veggies starting with the onions, carrots, peppers. Cook until semi-soft then toss the pork back in. Add the garlic and the mystery veggie.

     Now, as I was cooking all of this stuff Loin Fruit #2 comes over to the counter and spots the mystery veggie, diced and sitting on a plate.
"What's that dad?"
"Diced tree", I reply.
"What do you mean."
"Diced tree."
"Where'd you get it? Superstore?"
"Yeah, in the Chinese section. Have a taste."
"Its kinda crunchy. What's it look like? How do they make it?"
"I don't know its a stick. About so long and about this big around. You peel off the bark then slice it and dice it."
"Mmmm. Pretty interesting. Sort like lemon grass or sugar cane."
"Hope you enjoy it."

     During the meal, Loin Fruit #2 discovered one of the pieces of mystery veggie in a forkfull of food. "Hey, I just had one of those pieces of diced tree. It's a lot like those chestnut things."

     Smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

08:30 hrs
28 Sep 14

     That's right folks. Yesterday was our anniversary. My BETTER HALF and I have been together for 19 years. Holy Crap!
And those nineteen years have not been smooth. I would be lying to you if I said it was. The point is, you have to be committed to your partner and thats all there is to it.

     So, last night, in celebration it was decided that we would go out for supper. Something that we don't do often as the Loin Fruits eat off the adult menu too.

     I had wanted to try out the Spice Hut in Comox. Indian food would be different from our normal fare. But then again the Spice Hut is just another chain restaurant in a long line of chain restaurants like so many Olive Gardens and Red Lobsters or burger joints before it. So my LOBSTER decided to take us to Mar's on Main in Cumberland.

     Its an older building, an old house I think, on Dunsmuir Ave with seating inside for about thirty, a small bar area and patio seating outside as well. The decor is best described as your old grandma's kitchen. Mismatched tables and hard wooden chairs with cushions. Perfect. Nothing commercial at all.

     The menu is small. Maybe ten different appies, eight or so different salads which could be had as a main course and then a dozen or so mains. A far cry from any commercial restaurant such as White Spot. Even Fluid and the Avenue has more items than that. We ordered two appies - a home made pita with hummus and a baked brie. Rather simple to be sure but when they arrived I was suitably impressed.  Our mains were a Udon noodle bowl with seared tuna (Loin Fruit #2), the pasta special without pesto in the sauce (Loin Fruit #1), Jaegerschnitzle with mushroom gravy (my BETTER HALF) and a Seafood Schnitzel (myself).

     The food arrived in a timely manner and it was all delicious. The schnitzels were the size of the plate and there were two to the order. The boys dishes were just as large. Needless to say we do have leftovers.

     The service was outstanding. Prompt, courteous and not hovering. In the end the tip reflected our pleasure. We will be back.

Let's talk about DRIVING!

21:30 hrs.
24 Sep 14

    My friend who lives on the Other Side of the Hump is always quick to point out the driving is a privilege and not a right. In this, he is very much correct. I really don't know what the problem is here in the Valley but when it comes to driving I am positive that we have more than our fair share of buttheads.

     I know that some years ago the Province of BC went to the graduated licencing system whereby young drivers must go through an L or learners phase followed by the N for novice which leads to an A for asshole.

     I never went through a graduated drivers licence. I was taught by my parents. I wrote my learners exam and I took the road test twice (I failed the first time). Maybe it was all the driver training courses I took in the military. Winter driving, flightline operations driving,  specialized vehicles, air brakes and, most importantly, Safe Backing.

     Safe backing rules:
    1) Walk around your vehicle. Observe and remove any obstacles that you may come in contact with.
    2) Ensure that your mirrors are correctly positioned to allow you to see behind you. In a congested area, employ a ground guide for added safety.
    3) Sound your horn to alert people that you are backing up.
    4) When reversing, a driver does not have to be belted allowing him to conduct proper shoulder checks.

    Sounds simple doesn't it. Well, the one thing they don't teach is fact that people moving in reverse have limited vision. So if you are driving through a parking lot and you see a vehicle in reverse do not try to squeeze past him!  Common sense? Sure is. If you know where you can buy some (common sense) please let me know because I could easily distribute piss pot full of it around this Valley. Go to any mall parking lot and you'll see all sorts of morons. Its crazy.

     Another major driving issue here in the Valley is the increasing number of senior drivers who have a whole host of issues ranging from poor eyesight to slow reflexes and even worse is their habitual complacency for poor driving habits.

     Is more frequent testing the answer?

     Road signs are of an interest too. Naturally, some signs are international such as top signs. Some will vary from province to province. If you ever watch Canada's Worst Driver (a perennial favourite at the WAYWARD INN) you will notice that thete will be a difference in the meaning of the road signs the "contestants" are quized on and what you may think the meaning is. This is because the show is filmed in Ontario and you may live else where. To be fair to the "contestants" they are given an Ontario Drivers Handbook and in that way they can all be on the same page.

     Last night I was coming home from a meeting when I spotted a new sign. Now I've driven this road many times and I must confess that I am not perfect whrn it comes to observing everything on the road. Oh the big things stand out but some road signs tend to slip into the background. Especially when you see them everyday. And yes, complacency kills. So, I was on Dyke Road travelling towards Comox from Courtenay.  I'm just going past the Gas n Go when I spotted a small rectangular placard that read "Entering K'omoks First Nation". Not even a klick down the road, as you climb the hill into Comox, there is anothet small rectangular placard that reads "Leaving K'omoks First Nation". I don't know how long they've been there but I would certainly like to know. 

Playing Catch Up Again...

17:14 hrs.
20 Sep 14

     So where are we at?
     The Eastern Parental Units are here for only two more sleeps.
     The COUCH MONKEYS are back to school in two more sleeps.
     My BETTER HALF is back to work in two more sleeps. And,
     I will be on Days Off in two more sleeps. Might be a nice time to go fishing, or 'squatching or a drive or doing nothing.

     The Eastern Travelling Relatives from Campbell River came for supper the other night. My LOBSTER and I threw together an interesting meal. A quinoa salad, a roated butternut squash, some potatoes and grated cucumbers for Oma, and two smoked roadkill chickens.

     Altogether we have played fifty or more games of TROUBLE. That lovely pop-a-matic dice game where "when you pop a six, you move twice". It made Oma very happy play with us all. Something that she does not get to do at home.

     I noticed that Halloween is coming soon. A friend of mine in Victoria takes great pleasure in building scary things to scare the crap out of the "Trick or Treaters". This year will be no exception. Good! The little hoodlums need a good scare. People around hete are getting
ready too. I spotted this ghost rider while on patrol today.

Yippeee & Yahoooo

05:42 hrs.
18 Sep 14

     I suppose the title of this particular blog could be "The Tale of Two Votes" as today will be the decision day both here at home and in Scotland. First the home front.

     As you may or may not have heard the BCTF and the Province of BC have hammered out a deal that may settle their long term dispute. I don't know all of the ins and outs but i do know this: its a six year contract with a 7% wage increase over its duration, there will be monies for training the Educatioeir rin Assistants and the Province gave up on their right to mandating classroom size and composition. The case between the BCTF and the Province is still before the court. A six year deal may sound a little long but I think that both sides were looking for some stability and besides I don't think the Province could have afforded the same percentage of a wage increase over a shorter period of time. Just for shits and giggles say the total value of the increase is six million dollars. Six million over six years is far easier to budget for than six million over four years especially when yourus budget is on a thin balance beam as it is.

     And the best part of the contract settlement is that the COUCH MONKEYS will be going back to school (personally, I think the parents and kids were cheering the loudest when the news broke). Its back to the schools in routine. Late nights will be curtailed and it will be homework before game time. Good results at school will be rewarded and bad results...well boys let's just say you should try your best.

     The other vote, the one in Scotland, is taking place as I scribe this very blog. Yes Scotland is part of Great Britain but it was a separate independent country that was conquered and held down ever since. Sir William Wallace (Braveheart) was a real person as was Robert the Bruce ( although Wallace was dead before the Bruce came to power). The fight for Scottish independence has been going on ever since King Edward marched in. Did you know that he had built one of the largest seige engines ever constructed? It was a trebuchet named War Wolf. Take a look on the net. It was an example of mathematical perfection.

     And after Long Shanks (called so after his extraordinary long digits) had conquered Scotland he took as a trophy the Scottish seat of power, quite literally a rock upon which all Scottish kings sat when they were crowned. This rock, known as the Stone of Destiny, was then placed directly under the British throne. When an English monarch was crowned he or she automatically became the ruler over Scotland as well because they were sitting on top of both thrones. Several years ago Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, had this symbol of Scottish nationalism returned home. Several years ago there was a movie, by the same name, about the Stone of Destiny. I invite you to take a look. Its pretty good.

EARLY MORNINGS RULE

15:58 hrs.
15 Sep 14

     By all accounts this was supposed to be a pretty good day. It started out alright. I was up early. Made a fresh pot of java - that first cup is always the best. I wanted to enjoy the morning and mentally prepare for the rest of the day. The game plan was to head up to Campbell River to visit my BETTER HALF's Travelling Cousins. They're both retired and spend a great part of the year shuttling back and forth Down East visiting different family members.

     For breakfast we made a Christmas Morning Wife Saver. You would really like this. All of your breakfast components in one pan. Eggs, toast, ham, milk, cereal and butter. Are you ready for this?

1) In a 9x13 buttered baking dish place a layer of white bread (with the crust cut off). Add a layer of back bacon or ham and then a layer of cheddar cheese - not cheese slices. Top with a second layer of white bread.

2) Dice up half an onion and some peppers for colour. Sprinkle onto the top of the bread.

3) In a mixing bowl whisk together the following ingredients: 6 eggs, 3 cups of whole or 2% milk, a couple of healthy dashes of worsteshire sauce and tabasco sauce,  salt & pepper, and a tablespoon of dry mustard powder. Slowly pour this mixture over the casserole then place it, covered, in the fridge overnight.

4) The following morning pre-heat the oven to 350 F. Crush up a cup of corn flake cereal and cover the top of the casserole.  Melt a 1/4 of butter and pour that over everything.

5) Place the dish in the oven and bake for one hour. If it seems a little spongy bake it for another twenty minutes. Let it cool to set up then cut into blocks and serve.

     The visit in Campbell River went well and on our return I found a second copy of my ITIN from the IRS waiting for me in the mail box. Thank goodness,  I can now fill out the next piece of paper work and finally start recieving my royalties. I open the envelope to find....ANOTHER COPY IN... SPANISH! WTF!!! An hour long phone call to Pittsburgh Pa,  the call centre for Austin Tx, revealed that after I had recieved the last SPANISH COPY another computer generated was sent out. Thanks for nothing.

     One more day off and I'll be back on the road keeping the District safe from hoodlum dogs.

And still no RAIN

17:17 hrs.
12 Sep 14

     Yes folks we have yet to have any rain to speak of. Most of August and now a third of the way into September there has been no BC LIQUID SUNSHINE at all. The LOCAL RAG says that Comox Lake is nearing record lows. This could be good for me because soon after my BETTER HALF's Parental Units depart I'm going to try using my deep fishing gear for the larger trout residing in the lake.

     Speaking of my Best Beloved, she just informed me that Miley Cyrus has just released a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Baby, I'm gonna leave you".

     She says "don't judge it until you hear it."

      I say, "Just shoot me now!"
    
      A bloody sacrilege. That's what that it is. I hate covers at the best of times. I just don't get how a singer can do better than the original artist. I can understand that they may want to put their own spin on a particular song and that is okay but very rarely do I believe a cover is better than the original. In a way sad that bands or artists have to resort to covers. Can't they just think up their own stuff?

     Maybe there is a mathematical algorithm at play. If all songs and artists had a numerical rating then any artist doing a cover of song from another artist it could be rated mathematically against the original. Variables, such as popularity of each band and the position of the cover song on the Billboards, could scientifically prove how shitty the cover song actually is or is not. The only thing that is good about some third rate no talent musician wanna be doing a cover song is that it will attract even more attention to the original artist.

Aaaahhhh Yes, the BLOG

16:54 hrs.
10 Sep 14

     A brief catch up:

   1) The COUCH MONKEYS are still not in school!

   2) My LOBSTER's Parental Units are still in situ!

   3) My dearest Li'l Sis is buried in snow in CowTown!  And,

   4) I have yet to attend to Drury Lane!

     And so I sit, tending the Flame Pit,  while enjoying an ale. Its not a particularly good ale but it is not the Case of Lucky the male Parental Unit purchased. I would think that he would know what real beer is all about. Nope. Not a clue. Someone has sold that man a false bill of goods. Its okay though. I'll let him drink all the Lucky he wants. Just stay out of my Sleeman's and my Richard's White.
  
     I have asked my Inducted Friend if he would like to partake in a Wings and Ale Nite at a local pub but he said his calendar is full. Too bad 'cause I think he needs the stress relief. I know I do. In fact, everyone needs to have what has been called self care. After the Parental Units my BETTER HALF and I will be attending the Kingfisher Lodge to partake in their hydro-path. Its a subterranean path through which you experience pools and waterfalls of varying temperatures and pressures.

18:03
11 Sep 14

     Big News
     Canada's youngest serial killer, Cody Legebokoff, has been convicted of four counts of first degree murder.

TOO BAD THEY WON'T LET ME GET THE ROPE.

IT'S TIME TO RE-VISIT THE CONCEPT OF A SHORT WALK & A LONG DROP!

    

Drury Lane

I13:40
07 Sep 14

     Gone are the days when a person, this person, could sit and wax philosophically,  through several pints of tasty ale hoping that the flavour and alcohol will deaden the senses to the external stimuli.

     Everyone is on edge. Short tempered and snapping at each other's heels like some mongrel cur out loose on Macaulay Road. Life is happening through veiled pleasantries. I am biting my tongue fearful of someone ripping off my head and shitting down my neck.

     I ran in to an old friend at Costco. An ex-service member like myself but with no spouse, kids or significant other and who retired at a much higher rank than I did. As a result this individuals pension is probably double mine and without the expenses it is quite possibly doubled again. But at what cost can you family be replaced by a Single Malt.

     A new word for today: chicanery. By definition chicanery is the use of trickery to achieve a political means or deception by artful subterfuge. My BETTER HALF has informed our Loin Fruits that they should not to follow my advice when it comes to dealing with the fairer sex because of my chicanery. I dont think this is very fair. Looking back at my sordid past, which my LOBSTER knows only a little about, chicanery would actually be the most effective and descriptive word. Its too late for her though, we've been married since '95.

     A pleasant evening here in the VALLEY. The temperature was warm to moderate and we were graced with a lovely sunset. Tomorrow is supposed to be more of the same.  I'll be out on patrol so my BETTER HALF will be entertaining her Parental Units. Of course our two Couch Monkeys are not in school yet as the BCTF and the BC provincial government are still at loggerheads.

The Home Coming

I15:30 hrs.
05 Sep 14

     My BETTER HALF's mom spent a day and a half as a guest at a local search seniors complex. It was a beta test of sorts. We all know and can appreciate the fact that they, both my in-laws, have lived long asked difficult lives with many sacrifices. Now in their platinum years, the golden years having long lost their luster, it is time to look to be taken care of vice taking care of. Of course, residence at these facilities are not cheap but they are all inclusive. House keeping, meals, road trips. It all adds up but if you are a retired senior who can no longer remain in your own house alone, for whatever the reason, this us a great option. And, once you sell your house, that is if you are mortgage free, the proceeds should easily pay for a number of years of total care. Depending on the size of your suite some of these facilities will run from $3,000 to $5,000 per month. Yes, this is expensive but what else are you going to spend your money on?  Think of it as living in a hotel. With 3 square meals a day included and a turn down service. That's $200 a day multiplied by 30 days = $6000.

     By all indications the Beta Test went quite well. She was even asked to share a glass of wine at Happy Hour.

     So here I sit, on my days off, sipping a Sleeman's Cream Ale while listening to the Stampeders. Another all time favourite late 70's Canadian Rock Bands. Did you know they stated with four members and by the time they folded they had seven or maybe eight musicians. Their catalogue kept changing and adapting to the times including Jazz and Funk. Even one of my faves,  Burton Cummings has covered some Stampeders tunes.

     Tonight my LOBSTER is hosting a Ladies Movie Night. It will be held upstairs in the bonus room. I have set the chairs and cleaned the Loin Fruits bathroom for their exclusive use, a fresh roll of TP has been put out as well. SON #1 has invited Ivan to sleep over which means the two of them will be gaming in the bedroom. That leaves me and SON #2 to entertain my father in-law. We'll watch our own movie. Something that he can at least follow. Maybe a spy thing, a Bond would be good. But no war stuff. I don't think it politically correct to make someone who has lived through a major conflict to  watch a movie about the conflict. Did Nixon watch All the Presidents Men? I doubt it.

     I am not catering either. It her function and I don't want to detract from it. I have a bad habit of turning the worm until I am the centre of attention. This is truly bad form. It would be better if I simply retired to the Drury Lane Bar and quietly got pissed. (I'm onto a Sleeman's Silver Creek Lager. Nothing special about it except it has an alcohol content.)

     So, for tonight's fare, there is boneless pork chops, seasoned chicken breasts, twice baked potatoes and carrots in foil all done on the FLAME PIT. I gave not contemplated a dessert. Then again I have never been a big dessert maker. Love eating it. Not so hot on making it. I saw a really cool single bowl apple cake that I think I'll print off and give a whirl on Sunday. Sunday eill bd the day I'll do two Road Kill Chickens on the Flame Pit. That should keep the hungry hordes at bay.

     I'm still working on my Go Bag. I have inspected and re-waterproofed my smallest tent. I looked at Crappy Tire for a tent print, a ground sheet of sorts, and the only thing close to my needs was $40. Too dear for me and besides I have two military shelter halves. A single one can be used as a ground sheet or a solo shelter. Add to that a sleeping bag (in a waterproof stuff sack), a sleeping pad, cordage for tying shit down (I just bought over 500 feet of paracord for less than $50, shipping included), a method of cooking and something to cook in, an assortment of spare clothes (in a waterproof stuff sack), a spare knife, some food (non-perishable), an extra flashlight and a litre of water in a refillable container. All of this gear is supposed to sustain a person for one two two days. I know of some who have substituted the tent for a hammock. This would reduce the weight by three or four pounds and free up a whole lot of room as a hammock can be stuffed in a pocket of your rucksack where as a tent cannot.

     The Sleeman's Silver Creek Lager is now gone and Dire Straits have finished playing on the mp3.  I suppose its time to feed the Hungry Hordes.

18:00 hrs.
Same Day

     The meal, so lovingly prepared, has been inhaled. The left overs have been secured in the icebox for someone's later consumption.

     My BETTER HALF has finally given the nod of approval to the upstairs seating arrangements. Thanks. SON #1 and Ivan have already weaseled off to play their video games and I have selected a bunch movies for THE MEN. Eastwood, Bond, action, blood and guts. Oooohrraaaww!

     I can truly hear the Drury Lane Bar calling me. I wish that I could attend this evening.
     

And just put on a Happy Face....

21:10 hrs.
02 Sep 14

     They say that if life gives you lemons make lemonade.

     I still don't know who "they" are, but the adage does make sense. Its not if you can find the silver lining, it's more like, you must find it. Carpe diem!

     My in-laws are visiting for the next couple of weeks. Good European stock. So we'll do a bit of the touristy thing. Not much though as they've been out to visit us on numerous occasions. Carpe diem!

     If you are still wondering about the best coffee shops in the Valley you obviously haven't been to the GRINDs, either in Cumberland or in Comox. The one in Comox does offer a lunch menu but it is not in my patrol area so if I am in the need for a non-corporate coffee I sometimes swing out to the Wild Wild West. The same goes for burgers. You gotta know where to go and in my opinion that is the Lunch Box on Mission Hill. Great burgers and fries. Awesome chicken strips too. Just stay away from the onion rings.

     As for sushi, I've only been to a couple. Yamato's of course and the one across from Fluid. Off the top of my head, I think there are at least nine Sushi venues so I had better get out and try a few more.

     I see that Tulio's, on 6th & Cliffe, is still hanging in there. How, I don't know. Every time you drive by the darn place is closed. A peek inside the window reveals the stagnant 1980's decor while a glance at the posted menu is even more disheartening. But someone must like it because its still cranking out the plates.

     And speaking of PLATES, I don't know if there is a difference between the regular chefs...hold it, I have to correct myself. The food coming out of that restaurant is no different than what I can produce at home.  That makes the people in the kitchen COOKS not CHEFS. A chef should be innovative and should inspire his staff and should elevate his customers palate. I'm sorry but if he can't do these things then he is only a cook and not a chef. And he must realize that everything that leaves the pass has his name on it. It doesn't matter if the dish was completed by the sous if it is not up to scratch its the chef's ass that's in the sling.

     When we had our Japanese students they had gone out to Horne Lake for a Canadian camping experience.  Maybe, I already wrote about this I don't know.  Anyway, for their meals the students were catered to by Plates...from Courtenay.  Its only about 80 km one way. So, by the time the food got there it was lukewarm at best. Maybe next year I'll hire myself out to cook for these guys. It would be no different than cooking for 30 hungry Cub Scouts. This is not the first time that Plates has catered the Japanese students out at Horne Lake and each time the food is made cheap and its not served at an optimum temperature. I've even experienced Plates catering at other functions and I have yet to be impressed let alone satisfied.

     Where do you go for Chinese food in the Valley? There are so many places and they are all bad. Bland, run of the mill, same old same old. Its kind of a piecemeal thing. The best fried rice I ever had was at the Panda Garden in Cumberland. It has a real smoky wok flavour. But that's all that was noteworthy.  There are a couple of noodle houses in town that has great pho, but that's Vietnamese. In my opinion the best place for your basic Chinese food is the QF in Comox. You may not think so but the lineup at the food bar on Friday evening is pretty long.

    Tomorrow we talk pizza.

So...Whazzzup!

14:00
01 Sep 14

     As today is National Holiday yours truly is Holding Standby. That is to say,  I am on call for any grand emergencies such as a loose animal on the freeway or an RCMP assist call. Other than that it is a non-paid work day which allowed me to finish off the month end paperwork.

     The other night my BETTER HALF and invent out to fo a bit of furniture shopping and to go out on an adult date night. I had never been to the Prime Chop House restaurant in Courtenay and I was eager to check it out. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to go please let me be your guide.

     The Prime Chop House is a very upscale restaurant located at the bottom of Ryan Road in Courtenay. The decor is high end and very functional. The dining area has seating for couples, families and parties. The lounge area can also accommodate similar groups. A quick look at the bar stock showed the alcohol on hand to be pretty much standard but the wine selection was impressive. The food...well let's back up shall we, my BETTER HALF and I, arrived at 16:00 hrs and stood in the foyer to be greeted by ...no one. The greeters lectern was there but the place looked devoid of staff, and customers come to think about it. Then a call from the lounge,  "Hello. C'mon in. Pick any seat you want."

     So, with his permission, we wandered the restaurant and admired all that was put onto it. I must admit the owners spared nothing on the construction materials or the fixtures. I was very impressed. After a look see we settled on the patio, outside the lounge. The gas fireplace was not on but thin blankets were available at each seating area for anyone who felt a chill. Quaint touch actually. We sat for an eternity with no one coming to ask if we want drinks, applies, mains or anything and then finally, fifteen minutes later, the Phantom Waiter arrives with menus. We inform him that we have never been before and yet he offers no suggestions or informs us of any specials. The only thing we were told was that the Prime Rib was only available after 17:00. Well, the way things were dragging on we might as well order it. But no.

     We ordered drinks. They arrived in the normal amount of time and that's when we order our appy, a flat bread (with pesto, fresh greens, crumbled feta and a balsamic reduction drizzled on top) and our mains. My BETTER HALF ordered a Prime Burger with fries and I selected an eight ounce Top Sirloin with a blue cheese green peppercorn demi glace. To acompany my steak I asked for a baked potato.

     Fries with that sir?

     Baked, please.

     Fries, right?

     No, baked.

     Right.

     The weather was turning iffy out on the patio so we opted to join the warmth in the lounge. There were new staff members in place and we were assigned a new waitress. It was no surprise that our appy was delicious and our mains were pretty good. My LOBSTER said her burger was tasty but the texture was crumbly. As a result, it was too difficult to eat as a burger. Then there was my steak. It wasn't bad. I had much better at the former Monte Christo on the River. The demi glace wasn't all bad but the fries were good even though I ordered baked. But who was I supposed to bitch at. Our waitress hadn't taken our order the owner did and he hadn't written it down.

      In all it wasn't a bad experience. I would have to try it again before passing a final judgement. But they had better get their shit together.