In the Heartland

Flying to Minneapolis from Philadelphia, it's easy to see why the Heartland is called "the flyover middle" of the country. That term is used pejoratively, and I don't understand it.  Looking down at the farms, rivers, lakes, wandering dirt roads and quilt-like pattern from 30,000 feet is calming to me.  It also makes me wonder about the people.  Do they struggle to maintain the family farm?  Do their little children dream of walking down that long dirt road to the "big" (paved) road?  Do families spend free time in the summer playing in all those streams and creeks?  With no cities close by, what do they do for entertainment?  I like to think some of them play the works of art I saw today at the Minneapolis airport.

Minneapolis wasn't my final stop.  I was en route to Madison, Wisconsin for work.  As I was walking to my gate thinking, "This is the first of a series of six trips over the next few months," I saw an amazingly beautiful guitar in a glass case.  I cut through the crowd to admire it.  You would think the first thing to grab my attention was the unusual location of the opening in the guitar.  It wasn't.  It was the wood and its tones; the guitar looked warm and alive.  I don't play the guitar but I really wanted to hold that one.

The showcase was an advertisement for McPherson Guitars.  I had never heard of these guitars but assumed they were made in Minnesota.  Turns out they are made in Sparta, Wisconsin.  This is where, over 30 years ago, the company made a guitar with "a unique Offset Soundhole Technology" that apparently makes a difference in the sound of the music.  In addition, the various "tonal woods" from which to choose for a custom guitar also makes a slight difference in the sound.  These beautiful guitars look like they average between $5,000 - $6,000.

I encourage you to visit the website - with your volume turned on.  The sound of the guitars is so crisp it is almost as though someone is playing right next to you.  These guitars are played by many people, per the web site, including names I recognize like Brad Paisley and Amy Grant.

I know it's a stereotype from a "city person" like me - or maybe it's a romanticized view of the hardworking people whose lives I think I can understand from the plane - but these guitars seem to fit a sensitivity I imagine the "heartlanders" having that we may have lost on the coasts.  The guitars, like the people, are seemingly simple from my vantage point, but I really know they are not.

Saffron Indian Restaurant in Bala Cynwyd, PA

Saffron is a Zagat 2011 "Noteworthy Newcomer" and Philadelphia Magazine "Best of Philly 2010" winner.  This restaurant has two locations - one in Bala Cynwyd and another in Ambler.  During a visit to the Bala Cynwyd location, I discovered the food was good but the service and noise level made it not worth the trip.

I visited Saffron yesterday (a Thursday night) during Main Line Restaurant Week.  For $20, I got an appetizer, entree, bread, and dessert.  My dining partner and I shared the Onion Bhajia (marinated, deep-fried vegetables in a chickpea batter; normally $4) and Chatpata Murg Tikka (Chicken tenders, marinated in yogurt spiced with coriander, ginger and cumin powder and baked in a charcoal clay oven;  normally $9) appetizers.  The Onion Bhajia was very crisp and tasty.  The chicken was extremely tender and came on a bed of peppers and onions.  I recommend both appetizers.

For our entrees, we had Murg Korma (Boneless pieces of chicken cooked in a rich almond and cream sauce; normally $14) and Chana Punjabi (more commonly known as Chana Masala - Chickpeas gently cooked with onions, herbs and tomatoes; normally $12).  I didn't sample the korma but my friend liked it.  I enjoyed my chickpeas.  I had the garlic and coriander naan as my bread choice and my friend had the tandoori roti (whole wheat bread with no oil).  These were normally $3 and $2, respectively.  The naan, and its buttery goodness, was more tasty - as you would expect - than the roti.

We ended our meals with rice pudding.  I was tempted to get a mango lassi as a "extra" but I was full.  While the entree portions were standard, I was filled by the appetizers, which I typically don't get when I eat Indian.

Go to Saffron for take-out.  The noise - largely due to a large table of about a dozen college-aged women - was so loud I could barely hold a conversation.  In fact, one couple got up and moved to another side of the small dining room in a desperate (and  probably futile attempt) to get away from the noise.  I suspect, however, that the restaurant is probably loud many nights when it is full.

I was most disappointed with the service.  After our meals were served, no one checked back with us to make sure everything was satisfactory.  Considering the restaurant was not full at that time, that is inexcusable.  Also, my water glass was empty for a 1/2 hour before I finally was able to find someone who could fill it.  I was told "OK" but that didn't happen.  I had to ask again when our check was brought to the table.  Even without these faux pas, I would say the service was chilly at best. 

It's a good thing the food is good - although not fabulous - or Saffron would not be worth a visit at all.  I encourage Zagat and Philly Magazine to visit again.

Paris Comes to Philadelphia

PIFA?  Never heard of it.  Turns out it's the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts.  Or, for awhile, I'll pretend it stands for Philly's Interesting, Fun Activity. 

If you are anywhere in the Northeast, you know that Spring hasn't really arrived here. Cold weather does not want to leave us and snow made one (hopefully) last appearance today.  So what are most of us doing?  Waiting anxiously for warmer weather and fun, outdoor activities.  We seem to have a forecast for that soon in Philadelphia.

On Saturday,  April 30th, a sliver of Center City will look a little Parisian compliments of the PIFA Street Fair.  This free event from 11am - 8:30pm will turn Broad Street between Chestnut and Lombard into a Francophile's dream.  The fair will feature French street performers and food vendors, a public garden with a children's area, two stages for musical performances, and a giant Ferris wheel.  The fair will culminate with a "breathtaking routine" by La Comagnie Transe Express suspended 100 feet in the air. Just a brief glimpse of the company's web site (check it out!) looks like they can thrill the mere mortals left on the ground to watch.

This street fair is just one of many events planned between April 7 - May 1 as part of the festival.  The PIFA web site shows there are many entertainment options - from music, theater, speakers, dance, film, tours, etc.  I'm all for those things.  More than ever, however, I am ready for the outdoor events.  I plan on being at Philly's Interesting, Fun Activity on April 30th.  I hope warm weather is planning on being there, too.

Going, Going, Gone

For six weeks I've been in a cast.  Six weeks prior to that I wore a boot.  My wandering has been severely limited.  Today the cast came off.  Oh happy day!

Keeping Track - Four Weeks Down

Five Weeks Down



Six Weeks Down; Heading to Get it Cut Off



It's Happening!  It's Coming Off!

Approaching the Incision Area; I'm Scared

Ah!  I Feel the Air!

The Mummy Leg is Unravelling

The Moment Before My First View of It

Oh No!  Ouch!

Swollen, Sore But Free 

Superior Donuts - See it in Philly Through April 3, 2011

Tracy Letts

Playwright Tracy Letts won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play August: Osage County.  He also won a Tony Award for the play.  The next year, he wrote Superior Donuts.  I missed it on Broadway when I was living in New York City so I was happy to learn I could see it in Philly.  It's currently at the Arden Theater in Old City for a few more days.

Superior Donuts reviews in Chicago, New York, and even Philadelphia were not glowing.  And most reviews did a comparison to August: Osage County.  The New York Times (6.30.2008) said,

(Letts') new play, “Superior Donuts,” which opened Saturday at the Steppenwolf Theater here, is a much less ambitious repast. It has a lot in common with the deep-fried breakfast food of the title. It’s insubstantial and sweet, with virtually no nutritional value.

The Chicago Tribune (10.1.2009) wrote,

So. Is “Superior Donuts” the next “August”? No. Another Great American Play? Nope. The one to beat for all the awards? It would have to be a lean year. Straight to Broadway? Don’t book your flight.

The Tribune was wrong on the last point as Superior Donuts did come to Broadway.  I also disagree with both papers in their overall assessments.

James William Ijames (left) and Craig Spindle

The Philadelphia production of Superior Donuts was excellent.  The actors were mostly very good; I especially liked the performances of Nancy Boykin (Lady Boyle), James William Ijames (Franco Wicks), and Craig Spidle (Arthur Przybyszewski).  The play was funny, provocative, and more real than its highly acclaimed sister. In fact, I saw August: Osage County on Broadway and I can easily say I liked Superior Donuts much better. 

Go see this play.  It gave me two hours and twenty minutes of entertainment and I wanted more.  Non-Philadelphians shouldn't be too surprised to find it near you, too, as it seems to be making the circuit.  Don't miss it when it comes to your area like I did in New York City.  You may not be as lucky as I was; you may not have a second chance.

Both a Blessing and a Curse

Outstanding in the Field

Slow food ("Links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment). Buy Local ("Buying local goods and services instead of those produced more distantly").  Green Movement("Support of environmentally friendly products").  Sustainable Agriculture ("Farming using principles of ecology and the study of relationships between organisms and their environment").  These movements and concepts are what I assoicate with Outstanding in the Field.

Outstanding in the Field is an organization I have been following for a few years.  I've been tempted by it and so far have resisted the temptation.  I came very close recently to giving in but I stood firm.  What is the lure?  Just read this information from the About Us section of their website, which reads like a love letter to me:

Our mission is to re-connect diners to the land and the origins of their food, and to honor the local farmers and food artisans who cultivate it.

Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure – literally a restaurant without walls. Since 1999 we have set the long table at farms or gardens, on mountain tops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table is set indoors: a beautiful refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum. Wherever the location, the consistent theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table.

Ingredients for the meal are almost all local (sometimes sourced within inches of your seat at the table!) and generally prepared by a celebrated chef of the region. After a tour of the site, we all settle in: farmers, producers, culinary artisans, and diners sharing the long table.

On August 27, Outstanding in the Field will come to the Happy Farm in Kintnersville, PA.  The chef is from Bolete Restaurant in Bethlehem, PA.  For $180 a person, you can join this dining experience.  I wasn't tempted by this one.  I thought of August heat and humidity.  I visualized sticking to my seat while trying to dine.  Not appealing.

Less than an hour from Philadelphia, the Blooming Glen Farm in Perkasie will host Outstanding in the Field on September 24th.  The chef is from Supper on South Street in Philadelphia.  This one will set you back $200 per person.  Believe it or not, I almost did this.  I was "oh so close."  In the end, I just couldn't justify the expense.  It's not too late, though, if you are interested.

The release date for Outstanding in the Field tickets is announced in advanced.  This builds a frenzy, I believe.  When the big day came this past Sunday, several locations sold out quickly.  (Many of these were in California, where pleasant outside dining season is certainly longer than on the East Coast.  New York City sold out quickly, too.)  To see if locations in your area have sold out, check out the schedule.

The concept of Outstanding in the Field interests me, as do the movements and concepts that I relate to it.  But it occurs to me there is another concept I should have listed above.  Expensive.  This is what will prevent me from being seduced by Outstanding in the Field for yet another year.