Nobody 818

Sunday, may 30, 2010

Nobody # 818

Nobody Asked me But:

LA Times – “Songbirds don’t prefer to eat organic food” – which means they save lots of money at the supermarket.<<<

Vancouver is a city of art and architecture, of fountains and green and of tall.

Our hotel, the quite new Shangri–la, is the tallest of the tall, with the first fifteen stories making up an incredibly cool, incredibly high tech hotel, but one which was surprisingly inefficient in some areas of customer relations. Most certainly they were beyond polite, but here is where they fell short.

When we pulled in at about 3:45 pm, a very sweet porter-girl unloaded our luggage, but something seemed off in the way she did it. While I was supervising, Barb went to check in. When I walked into the lobby, she had been taken aside by a man who wanted desperately to whisper, but my wife would have no part of that. It seemed that the hotel had overbooked and was going to move us for our one-night stay to another hotel. Their “treat.” We told them we were not one but “four-nighters” and had made our reservation months in advance. The man whispered that there was nothing the hotel could do about the situation, but when we insisted on talking to someone up the management chain, he disappeared for about twenty minutes, morphed into an Asian woman, and took us to our mini-suite, a slight upgrade over what we had reserved.

Before I write about the wonders of the suite, I will tell you about the second incident. At about 11:20 that night, we were awakened by a roaring noise, repeated twice over the hotel intercom, followed by a voice announcing a building emergency and telling us that we would be notified when the problem was taken care of. Looking down at the fire engines gathering in the street below did nothing to calm our apprehensions. So we dressed and waited. In about 25 minutes there was an all-clear notice and, still a bit nervous, we went back to bed. We expected management to give us some kind of an explanation the next morning, perhaps a note under the door but there was nothing then or ever.

Now for the good parts. For our room on the 14^th floor, the electronic key was not for slipping in or sliding along. It was for waving at the lock to open the room door or activate the elevator. Then, as you enter your room, you deposit the key in a container, which activates all the room lights. They can then be turned off or on by individual and master switches as could the electrically controlled curtains and drapes covering the floor to ceiling windows in the living room and bedroom. And yes, I had great fun being the master of the master switches.

The bathroom also had an electronically controlled curtain for the window next to the tub. The shower was a walk in that required a Master’s Degree to operate the controls. (Luckily I have one.) There were two showerheads, one directly overhead and one high on the wall. There was also a very cool, hand-held rinsing device. And in the vanity mirror closest to the tub and shower was a miniature television set tuned to a financial channel.

We also had a large balcony with table and chairs, overlooking Georgia Street, but the weather was too cold for it to be of much use.

My Canadian hat trick:

I have a favorite black hat that I bought years ago at Timberland. I have lost it several times only to miraculously find it again. However, I seemed fresh out of miracles when I lost it again on our second day in Vancouver. We had been to Holt Renfrew, Taco Time and were shopping at the Bay (Hudson Bay Company, incorporated by British Royal Charter in 1670) when I discovered it missing. We quickly returned to the most recent and most logical spot, the Bay’s hat department, where I had been trying on a few railroad caps. We searched diligently and asked every clerk in sight. Nothing. Back to our other two stops. Nothing. Gone for good.

Two days later we went back to the Bay so Barb could buy me a replacement. Never giving up, I asked another clerk, and - you guessed it. Nothing!

We then “headed” to the hat department. I looked down among all the new ones, and (drum roll) there it was!

And, yes, I still got my railroad engineer’s cap.

BC highs, and a couple of lows – and almost a whale of a tale to tell:

It is always great to return to Granville Island and its wonderful market for the food displays and a few cool shops. Their new thing this year is to pile their strawberries high in the basket in the shape of a pyramid. While Barb was looking around, I was listening to a sidewalk singer doing “The Boxer.” Suddenly I noticed people rushing past. Then my wife came out to tell me that a whale had been sighted within a few feet of the shore of False Creek. We hurried close to the water but missed the thrill.

We had planned to eat at the market, but changed our mind and drove a short distance to a Mexican place, Las Margaritas, where we dined years ago. We sat in the patio, and the food was good, much better than was our state of awareness. We kept remarking on the number of patrons for a weekday at 4 pm, thinking this was really a successful restaurant. It was not until we were visiting another favorite, Mrs. Purdy’s, across the street, that we realized that it was May 5^th. (Barb celebrated her recovery from one brain freeze by getting another from her excellent espresso flake ice cream cone.)

I passed, because I am beyond hope.

A discovery and a two disappointments: When in Canada, we always eat at Hy’s Steak House, but this time we opted for a Hy’s spin-off, The Keg. Because it was restaurant week they featured two fixed price specials. We each ordered the less expensive $28 version. Good choice. While the NY steaks were only very good, they needed more seasoning, our first course choices, onion soup for Barb and shrimp cooked with garlic and cheese in what looked like an escargot dish for me, were excellent. And so were the two-bite deserts served in shot glasses – my wife had chocolate cake and I opted for the cherry cheesecake.

While covering the Winter Olympics, LA Times columnist, Chris Erskine raved about the hot dogs at the Japadog cart, so naturally it was on my must list. I didn’t like mine much. Other people obviously disagreed with me, as the line was long. Perhaps I ordered the wrong one.

By far our biggest disappointment was our dinner at the Fish House In Stanley Park. This summerhouse with its beautiful setting has always been one of our favorites. Five years ago, for the first time, it didn’t meet our high expectations. This time it was worse.

We had reservations, and when we arrived the place was less than half full, but we were seated at a small table that was encroached upon by a large green plant, which covered at least one-third of our space and seemed ready to eat either our dinner or us. So we changed tables and received thumbs up from two ladies next to us. It seems that they too had been a target of the “plant that ate Vancouver.”

As for the food, Barb's halibut coated with potatoes, which she loved in the past was less than mediocre. My sable fish in chili/soy sauce was good but not wonderful, and the accompanying risotto cake was very average. We may return to the Fish House again to take advantage of its beautiful setting, but only for lunch.

One last chapter – actually Chapters, which is the Canadian branch of Borders. Trust me. They do it better north of the border. The store is huge and the books are presented much more attractively then in their American cousin.

This is getting long, so I will stop here. Next week – our journey home and my quick trip to Arizona for Emily’s 8^th grade transition. You may consider this a promise or, if you are getting bored with my travel journals, a warning.

Pictured here are two views of a great sculpture just outside our hotel.

Nobody 817

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Nobody 817

Nobody Asked Me But:

Did you know: that Charles de Gaulle’s great welcome in San Francisco in 1960 was almost ruined when he raised his hands and shouted “Viva Chicago!”

There I was, drinking my coffee in the lobby of the Cannery Park Hotel in Astoria, its three-story windows looking out on the mighty Columbia River flowing into the Pacific, and thinking that Lewis and Clark probably stayed here, perhaps even in our room – although it may have been renovated since then. In the background a huge, long, green bridge (above) links Oregon and Washington. Under it pass freighters from every port in the Pacific world. The hotel, at check-in, presents its guests with a printed list of their sailing schedule, so that you can know what you are seeing from the lobby or your room window. This hotel of wood and glass and view would be great even without the complementary wine and cheese happy hour.

Also complementary, although we didn’t use one this trip, is their fleet of vintage cars ready to chauffeur you to the restaurant of your choice.

But I am ahead of myself. The Cannery Park Hotel is new to us because we always stay in Cannon Beach, thirty miles to the south. It was good that we didn’t this time, because Cannon Beach seems to have vanished. Either that or we drove right past the road leading into town. Unlikely? Yes. So it must be gone.

However, we did stop at another favorite on our short drive from Lake Oswego to Astoria, the Tillamook Cheese Factory. This legendary place, where I once had a banana split for breakfast, (bananas are very healthy) is the home of world-class grilled cheese sandwiches and some pretty good ice cream.

After our one-night-stand beneath the bridge, we crossed it and headed for Seattle with a stop at Burgerville (a very good small, local chain) for burgers and mocha shakes.

We also went for different in our Seattle hotel choice, and the Grand Hyatt turned out to be an excellent decision, both for its amenities and its downtown location. We had a corner mini-suite on the 24^th floor, again for much less than you might expect, with floor to ceiling windows, electronically operated curtains and drapes and a view of Elliot Bay, Lake Washington and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains. Every morning I arose, closed off the bedroom so that Barb could sleep until eight, and went down to pick up my cup of Starbuck’s, from their store in the same building, and returned to enjoy the magnificent view along with New York Times.

Starbuck’s wasn’t the only extra treat in the building. As part of our room rate, we had $25 dollar each vouchers for breakfast at the hotel’s resident restaurant, Ruth’s Chris. I had two incredible breakfasts and one very good one. More about that later.

The usual suspects: During our 2¾ days in Seattle we returned to many of our favorite places. Queen Anne Bookstore was one. This small but wonderful shop on Queen Anne Hill is operated by people who love books, and it shows in the attention and recommendations they give to their customers. Neither Barb nor I could resist making a purchase.

My wife’s favorite bakery in Seattle is Café Lladro and, to her great surprise and pleasure, there was one directly across the street from our hotel. This required an every morning visit by moi to pick up a piece of her favorite mocha coffee cake, which she preferred over the incredible Ruth’s Chris breakfasts.

Other returns:

Pike Market with its flowers and fresh fish (and hand-painted tops for Barb) was as fascinating as ever. However the burgers at the packed Red Mill, a favorite hamburger joint above Green Lake, were slightly disappointing. Not so my blackberry malt, which was the best food item for me on a trip where the competition was fierce.

Another “regular” place for us is Ivar’s Salmon House on the north shore of Green Lake with the Space Needle and downtown Seattle visible through the window. And, “Look,” isn’t that the Tom Hank’s houseboat from Sleepless in Seattle?” This time we passed on the salmon. Barbara had fish and rice, and I had a delicious clam chowder and equally excellent halibut with fingerling potatoes and pea tendrils. (The tendrils were the best I have ever had. Of course they were also the first I have ever had.)

Yes, we returned to Top Pot, one of the nation’s top doughnut shops. It was a short 5-block walk from our hotel to this treat with its two-story window, walls lined with books, sitting loft and excellent doughnuts. The only problem for me was that my breakfast left little room to indulge.

And now to the new:

Tom, Barbara’s brother, discovered Portland’s Stumptown coffee last year. On our visit to NYC in September, we checked out the cool one in the Ace Hotel. This trip we made sure not to miss one in Seattle. It was a bit northeast of our hotel and filled with Seattle University students. Barb’s hot chocolate was excellent, and my mocha (pictured here) confirmed my New York evaluation – better than Starbuck’s.

Tip: If you want to add some class to your kitchen, you can buy a pound of their Tenth Anniversary special online in a very cool glass quart jar. Tom gave me one for Christmas, and I am torn between looking at it and drinking it.

Another of my wife’s discoveries was Molly Moon’s, a new ice cream shop rated by many as the best in Seattle. The original, as it turned out was between Stumptown and our hotel. Barb’s Theo chocolate was delicious and my salted caramel, the new “in” flavor, was unusual but also excellent.

Since I have never eaten breakfast at Ruth’s Chris before this trip, I will count this experience as new. I had a standard bacon and eggs that was very good, poached eggs on corn beef hash that I would order any day and Northwest Benedict (crab cakes instead of ham or Canadian bacon) that was as wonderful as it was unusual. (This is for 3 days, not all in one.)

Also new was this look at what this trend-setting city is currently driving. (pictured below) I hear it runs on corn-husks and slop.

My bad! My very bad! Before we checked out on our last Seattle morning, we walked back down to Pike Market so that Barbara could try a grilled cheese sandwich at Beecher’s Cheese. (Not I. After my Northwest Benedict I was too full for anything.) On the way, we discovered a new Starbuck’s that, with the exception of Hawaii, rivaled any I have been to. But the line was long and I was neither hungry nor thirsty, so I passed on my chance to add one. Dumb!

Next week – Canada, and then points south.

Steve Nash on the Laker’s edge over the Suns: "They're probably going to continue to be taller than us as the series goes on."<<<

The Celtic-Magic series is confirming what I have long felt – that Dwight Howard is the most overrated superstar in the NBA.<<<

Go figure: The economic right caused the financial disaster from which we still haven’t totally recovered, so voting America seems to be shifting…..right. Go Figure.<<<

“Today a quality start is six innings. What's quality about that?" Nolan Ryan<<<

Q: Who is most qualified to teach Dumbing Down 1a?

A: Anyone in the majority on the Texas State Board of Education.<<<

I am off for Arizona later this week to attend Emily’s 8^th grade transition. I am glad their idiotic new immigration law is not in effect yet, as I wouldn’t want to be deported back to California before the big event.

Nobody 816

Sunday, May 16, 2010
Nobody # 816

Nobody Asked Me But:

A recent Forbes survey named Seattle as the most miserable city with a professional sports team or teams. That have only one championship in their history, and that team, (the Supersonics) fled town two years ago.

If there was a survey to rank the most miserable sports fans it would easily be those who have to put up with Frank (who cares if the team wins as long as I live large) McCourt as their team’s owner.<<<

When I was a boy, one of my great thrills was long car trips. We made the cross-country journey four times in a two-year span while my stepfather set up his post-army career. Then, after his tragic, early death, my mother, brother and I did it several more times on vacation jaunts. I have never lost the thrill, which made our just-finished trip to the Pacific Northwest an adventure in fun.

I think I will tell the story chronologically, and I am sure it will take me more than one Nobody, but, before I begin, here is an interesting note. Barbara and I have an arrangement by which I drive when my car is being used and she does the same with hers. The one exception is that I usually drive hers a significant number of trip miles. It didn’t happen this time. She drove every one of our 3,000+ miles. She offered me the chance several times, but I knew it was an important “I can” statement for her to do it and so I sat back and enjoyed the ride.

Our first stop was for one night in Mill Valley. I love Marin County and will move us there when my ship comes in, so even one night was a joy with three highlights. The first was browsing at my favorite bookstore, Book Passages. And, yes, I bought a book.

The second was another favorite. After our last trip there I wrote about Rustic Bakery in Larkspur, and it remains the brief resting place of some of the world’s best muffins, scones, morning buns and other breakfast pastries. My blackberry muffin, crisp around the edge, just as I like it, was outstanding as was Barb’s morning bun.

The third highlight came while driving from the bakery to the highway. We were on one of main streets when we encountered two beautiful deer leisurely wandering in the other direction.

Our second stop was at another of our favorite small towns, Ashland, Oregon. There were two special moments along the way. The first was seeing a herd of bison at a ranch adjoining Interstate 505. The second was the always impressive, always beautiful Mt. Shasta, its perpetual snow almost reaching down to touch Interstate 5. (And while on the subject of Interstate 5, how could planners be so shortsighted as to build a heavily-traveled superhighway with only 2 lanes in each direction?)

We have stayed in some wonderful hotel rooms in our travels, and Matsu, our mini-suite at the new-to-us Ashland Creek Inn, was right up there with the best – as were several others on this trip and at prices far below what one might expect to pay for them. Yes, my wife is a great trip planner. We walked into a small kitchen-like area. Beyond it was the bedroom and then a sitting room with ceiling-to-floor windows looking out on a deck, a koi pond and the rushing creek below. Other high points: My blackberry cone was the best ice cream I had on the whole trip. Barb’s chocolate ripple might have been its equal except for the fact that it was too soft. Our complementary breakfast was delicious. The innkeeper served breakfast melon with prosciutto, strawberry smoothies, scrambled eggs, a salmon cake and cheese toast with Oregon jam.

Note: For my picture of Ashland I chose this one of the police station, because, as you can see, it shows their ambivalence towards law enforcement.

Next it was on to Lake Oswego for three nights. Lake Oswego is a well-to-do Portland suburb about 10 miles southeast of city center. It came to our attention because it was where the outstanding UCLA basketball playerm (and nephew of Beach Boys Mike Love) Kevin Love, lived and went to school. I will write about this terrific place first, and then about our trips to Portland.

Our room was a great bargain – much more simple and old fashion than the other hotels at which we stayed, but right on the lake and in the center of the village. There was a neat Starbucks a half-block away and a totally charming small theater where we saw “The Ghost Writer,” even closer. The houses with yards filled with flowers were “come live in me” knockouts. And Lake Oswego High School, where Kevin went, had a definite country club for academics look.

On one of our Portland days we explored its Northeast section - just for the halibut. Seriously, Barb had read about a place called Halibut’s that supposedly had excellent halibut and chips. We were lost several times while searching for it, but with the help of Cypress, our sometimes-dependable GPS navigator - we finally found it. Was it worth the search? Absolutely, and for two reasons: The halibut, shrimp and chips in this bar/ restaurant were even better than advertised. And we saw neighborhoods of Portland, with their glorious flowers, that we had never seen before.

One of Oregon’s pleasant quirks is that there is no self-service at gas stations. For this I was especially grateful, because on our last drive from downtown back to Lake Oswego we drove through a fierce rain and hail storm – our second in two days, and yours truly did not have to get pounded while pumping.

If you like bookstores, you must visit Powell’s in downtown Portland for its city block of new and used books. It is a place whose motto might well be “Never enough time.” Fifty years ago, when I was three, I read and loved Pat Frank’s post-apocalyptic novel, “Alas, Babylon.” I recently had the urge to re-read it and, sure enough, I found it at Powell’s. (I read it on the trip and it holds up very well.)

It is difficult to misplace elephants, so we didn’t. Elephants Delicatessen, that is, in Portland and in Lake Oswego too. We have visited the Portland one in the past and, it goodies are so…good that it is a don’t miss on our visits. Actually it was a 3-times don’t miss while we were there. Their marionberry scones and muffins, cinnamon rolls were excellent and their cheese sticks were off-the-chart superb. Our only regret was not having time to go back for a light dinner.

Next week – Astoria and Seattle.<<<

Is Elena Kagan a lesbian? Who cares? Bill O’Reilly does. He thinks her sexual orientation might influence her rulings. Ah, Bill, Bill. Do we ask the same question of or have the same worries about our heterosexual judges?