Amical

I have to write about the brunch we had this morning before we left Traverse City. We stopped at Amical, a French bistro downtown.

G and I ordered omelets, but G had his eye on the French toast so we decided to split it. This has to be one of our all-time favorite breakfasts. We were blown away.

G's potato, bacon and cheddar omelet and my spinach and bacon omelet were served with slices of pineapple, cantaloupe, and watermelon and a slice of lemon poppyseed bread. The eggs were perfectly cooked, the potatoes were red-skinned and fried up with onions and spices.

The French toast was killer--griddled Challah bread with almond bavarian creme, fresh berries, raspberry romanoff cream & almonds. G said it was like eating the best jelly doughnut ever.

Traverse City

G & I decided to go away for the weekend. We drove about four hours north to Traverse City, set up camp (king bed, cable, wi-fi), and explored northern Michigan's wine country.

Last night we ate dinner at Hanna, a hip, little bistro. G ordered a bottle of sparkling wine. We started with a Camembert Fondue-warm French camembert cheese with a sauce of cream, crushed tomatoes and hard cider, with julienne apples and truffle oil. The fondue was heavenly. G decided that we need to include Camembert in our diet at home.

For our entrees, we both ordered specials--G had the beef tenderloin with mashed potatoes and a thyme jus, I had the pan seared scallops in a rich, cream sauce with tasso ham, rice and sauteed spinach. We were speechless. And very full.

Today we drove to both peninsulas, Old Mission and Leelanau, to admire fall scenery and taste wine. Our favorite wineries were L. Mawby (strictly sparkling) and Chateau Fontaine.

Bon Voyage

We stopped to say goodbye to our friends Mark & Andrea today. They're moving to New Orleans this weekend and we are going to miss them terribly.

M&A are family to us. During 24 and Battlestar Galactica seasons, we would always expect Mark on our doorstep to watch the latest episode. If I was on my way to the grocery store and Mark called, I would ask, "How much more food do I need to buy? Are you coming over?"

After we said our goodbyes and G & I drove away, I cried like a baby.

Looks like it's time to plan a weekend in New Orleans.

Novel Dilemma

I just finished reading Jack London's The Call of the Wild and now I'm staring at a stack of books on my desk. What should I read next? I need some help deciding. Here are the nominees (descriptions from powells.com):

Special Topics in Calamity Physics - Marisha Pessl
Structured around a syllabus for a Great Works of Literature class and containing ironic visual aids (drawn by the author), Pessl's debut novel is complex yet compelling, erudite yet accessible. It combines the suspense of Hitchcock, the self-parody of Dave Eggers, and the storytelling gifts of Donna Tartt with a dazzling intelligence and wit entirely Pessl's own.

Digging to America - Anne Tyler
In what is perhaps her richest and most deeply searching novel, Anne Tyler gives us a story about what it is to be an American, and about Maryam Yazdan, who after thirty-five years in this country must finally come to terms with her "outsiderness."

Big If - Mark Costello
The Secret Service agents guarding the vice president steel their nerves to a multitude of dangers every day. When he runs for the top spot on the Democratic ticket, however, their personal lives may just be the biggest obstacle to keeping him safe.

Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
Anna Karenina tells of the doomed love affair between the sensuous and rebellious Anna and the dashing officer, Count Vronsky. Tragedy unfolds as Anna rejects her passionless marriage and must endure the hypocrisies of society.

A Good Year - Peter Mayle
Max Skinner has recently lost his job at a London financial firm and just as recently learned that he has inherited his late uncle’ s vineyard in Provence. On arrival he finds the climate delicious, the food even better, and two of the locals ravishing. Unfortunately, the wine produced on his new property is swill. Why then are so many people interested in it? Enter a beguiling Californian who knows more about wine than Max does– and may have a better claim to the estate. Fizzy with intrigue, bursting with local color and savor, A Good Year is Mayle at his most entertaining.

Straight Up and Dirty: A Memoir - Stephanie Klein
elebrated bloggist, photographer, and freelance writer Stephanie Klein lets it all hang out in this juicy tell-all tracing her jump back into single life following her divorce.

Any suggestions?

Better Late Than Never?

This bumper sticker made me laugh out loud on my way to school today:

I voted for Bush...Twice
I Apologize