Whitney: 12 noon: A lunch at Cafe Caturra . We had never eaten there together so we thought as perspective critics we'd give it a go (and Kate likes the patio).Kate ordered the Tuna Sandwich on wheat with a Walnut Salad (it was huge, the salad was fresh and the vinaigrette was EXCELLENT (TANGY) not to mention it was one of the best Tuna Sandwiches Kate ever had (She remembers it fondly)). I ordered the Veggie Chillie (It was in fact a Vegetarian Chillie and it was all sorts of tasty). Collectively we ordered a bottle of Prosecco (Prosecco by nature is not a Champagne; its an Italian Sparkling Wine and it is delicious)! Overall rating: It has potential ;).
Kate: Next stop: The Valentine Museum (which is free on Sundays). We went to the museum to visit a friend who works there, but she had taken the day off. But we ventured on. We had a semi-private tour through the Wickham House with an extremely knowledgeable and obliging tour guide. He answered each and every inane question (some possibly inspired by the aforementioned Prosecco) we asked about the construction of the house, even down to the faux marble canvassed floor in the grand foyer. We got to tour the second floor, which, we were told (though, who knows, really?) was not always a part of the tour. Overall: excellent and FREE!
Whitney: Transition: The Search: We then decided to try the Valentine Cafe for a post tour cocktail to no avail (the Cafe is closed on Sundays). So...we journeyed on... I said, "Let's Penney Lane". Again shot down by inconvenience; it was closed. So Kate suggested that we venture upon The Jefferson but it too was closed. Kate said, " I do not take this as a sign". So on we went , we decided to try to go Cafe Rustica. We walked up to the door and got in the exterior door only to find the interior door locked. ;(. A gentleman at the bar witnessed our attempts and opened the door and told us to come back at 5 p.m. whereupon they would re-open after a Sunday break. I explained to him that we really just wanted to have a glass of Champagne (or two) and he acquiesced: we were served Champagne. I had never thought highly of the place, but now I have to say, for the sake of their few moments of peace and the few moments of Zen (brought on by Prosecco)I think better of the place now. I will go back and actually eat. Overall: Inviting.
Kate: Last Stop: Millie's Diner: So, after the refreshing half-bottles served at a closed and quiet Cafe Rustica, we headed to Millie's, where a friend of ours was working. The atmosphere at Millie's was a little more vibrant (maybe a result of being open) than our last stop. We sat at a booth and ordered a bottle of Prosecco and two appetizers: an artisanal cheese plate and a rainbow trout on a bed of tomatoes and Israeli cous-cous (absolutely incredible). The cheese plate had a pretty wide variety of cheeses and a small portion of membrillo (a really tasty fruit from South America that I haven't been able to find in over eight years, since I lived in Argentina). However, if it hadn't been for the bread basket, the cheese plate would have nothing more than cheese (albeit a lot of really good cheese) and a small sliver of membrillo. So, if you're hungry, get an entree. But they tasted great! Millie's atmosphere is always spectacular: low lighting and incredible food (always on point). Overall rating: pretty damn good.
The day: Overall Rating: Pretty Damn good. Mixing a little culinary adventure and wine with some local historical background is always a good way to spend a Sunday.
Kate: Next stop: The Valentine Museum (which is free on Sundays). We went to the museum to visit a friend who works there, but she had taken the day off. But we ventured on. We had a semi-private tour through the Wickham House with an extremely knowledgeable and obliging tour guide. He answered each and every inane question (some possibly inspired by the aforementioned Prosecco) we asked about the construction of the house, even down to the faux marble canvassed floor in the grand foyer. We got to tour the second floor, which, we were told (though, who knows, really?) was not always a part of the tour. Overall: excellent and FREE!
Whitney: Transition: The Search: We then decided to try the Valentine Cafe for a post tour cocktail to no avail (the Cafe is closed on Sundays). So...we journeyed on... I said, "Let's Penney Lane". Again shot down by inconvenience; it was closed. So Kate suggested that we venture upon The Jefferson but it too was closed. Kate said, " I do not take this as a sign". So on we went , we decided to try to go Cafe Rustica. We walked up to the door and got in the exterior door only to find the interior door locked. ;(. A gentleman at the bar witnessed our attempts and opened the door and told us to come back at 5 p.m. whereupon they would re-open after a Sunday break. I explained to him that we really just wanted to have a glass of Champagne (or two) and he acquiesced: we were served Champagne. I had never thought highly of the place, but now I have to say, for the sake of their few moments of peace and the few moments of Zen (brought on by Prosecco)I think better of the place now. I will go back and actually eat. Overall: Inviting.
Kate: Last Stop: Millie's Diner: So, after the refreshing half-bottles served at a closed and quiet Cafe Rustica, we headed to Millie's, where a friend of ours was working. The atmosphere at Millie's was a little more vibrant (maybe a result of being open) than our last stop. We sat at a booth and ordered a bottle of Prosecco and two appetizers: an artisanal cheese plate and a rainbow trout on a bed of tomatoes and Israeli cous-cous (absolutely incredible). The cheese plate had a pretty wide variety of cheeses and a small portion of membrillo (a really tasty fruit from South America that I haven't been able to find in over eight years, since I lived in Argentina). However, if it hadn't been for the bread basket, the cheese plate would have nothing more than cheese (albeit a lot of really good cheese) and a small sliver of membrillo. So, if you're hungry, get an entree. But they tasted great! Millie's atmosphere is always spectacular: low lighting and incredible food (always on point). Overall rating: pretty damn good.
The day: Overall Rating: Pretty Damn good. Mixing a little culinary adventure and wine with some local historical background is always a good way to spend a Sunday.
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