I’ll begin with today and then you just have to scroll down for a recap of our Friday evening. 

Shane and I ran a most enjoyable 7.35 miles.  Uneventful and truly enjoyable. We explored the backs of buildings, went for a jaunt around the post office, meandered our way through wooded trails, said “Hello” to the friendly fellow we usually meet while running through Proctor Park.  The best part was Shane had lots of energy left for the run home and when we met with a few small inclines, he pulled me up them. That’s great in 2 ways: 1. it helps me when I’m tired. 2. the resistence of my body weight helps build strong muscles in Shane. 

I gobbled down a small banana with Vanilla Peanut Butter when getting home.  For breakfast, I cooked up a “Hungry MAN’S Eggs and Veg”.   I included a pic of all the veg. See the left over greens from last night? There’s enough garlic in those greens to fend off 50 Vampires! But they did add a wonderful flavor to my breakfast scramble.

Breakfast Scramble with Feta and Chives

For the rest of the day we have to decorate our tree. Do some icky cleaning. Go to class with Shane.  I think somewhere in there we might go grocery shopping… maybe that will be tomorrow.

  Friday Evening at Castronovo’s Grimaldis

 I can’t begin to tell you how enjoyable our evening was.  When we arrived at the Restaurant, we were undecided whether to dine there or not as the plan was simply to enjoy a cocktail for Happy Hour. Well, the bar attendees were just too entertaining. First, a gentleman was offering up seats for us, even volunteering his own if we needed it. Don’t ask why…I have no idea…we certainly didn’t look as if we needed to sit (at least I don’t think we did?).  Second, we encountered Mr. Fred Castronovo himself, thoroughly enjoying the fruits of his bar.  He owns the restaurant and also a body repair shop down the road. Turns out his passion is not the restaurant business but cars!  Fun Cars! … Ted knows what they are. I have no clue.  Fred and Ted got chit chatting and turns out Fred is good friends with both Ted’s uncles:  Abey and Fred (Fred the Uncle not the restaurant owner).  Fred (the restaurant owner) brought us over some mozzarella sticks and chicken wings.

Neither of which we eat, but did so on this occasion (Ted the chicken, me the moozie sticks).  That was quite enjoyable.  During all this, we enjoyed a glass of wine each.   But our bar munching didn’t stop there. We went to check out the pizza and had a bite or two of that.    Little did I realize, they bring you complementary garlic pizza to the table.               

    There was an accidental pouring of the Chardonnay that we were drinking at the bar. So the bar tender kindly asked if we would like it.  Was she crazy?!   Hand it over… don’t you dare waste it!

Of course they brought out the bread, my FAVORITE part of Friday night dinner (except for the wine of course).   Following the bread was the salad. We had had so many munchies that we couldn’t think of ordering an appetizer.  The salad I very often get disappointed in .  I like ice burg lettuce but feel that it is a complete waste of chewing energy. There is nothing in it of great value to my body. Now please correct me if I’m mistaken.  I much prefer a field greens salad where there are some really dark, colorful things going on in my bowl.  As usual, my salad dressing of choice is simply oil and vinegar.                                                           

 I could also do with out the raw onions and olives in my salads but never fail to forget to request that they leave them off.  Anyway… on to the main course.  I asked about the specials which were a haddock special done in olive oil and served with roasted tomatoes, artichoke hearts, green onions.  There was also a sea bass special but the description was iffy and when I questioned it…as it sounded very much like the haddock the waiter was …. oh lets see, I can’t really find a description for what the waiter was except that if you have been to Napolitari Joe’s in Utica where they throw things on the table at you and berate you if you ask for utensils and/or butter, ….. the waiter was somewhat along those lines.   

After all that, I had the haddock special, followed by a wonderful cup of coffee.  By the way,the dinner was very good, flavorful. I think the haddock is a bit too delicate for all that sauce. It was almost impossible to eat without it falling into little tiny delicate pcs.

After dinner, we had a great surprise. Santa Claus!   I got a pic of him on the move, but it’s blurry.  Then on his way out, he stopped and waved at us at the table, but I hit the wrong button on my i phone and missed the picture. Sorry.  So this actually is Santa Claus.

  Oh well.  If you are ever in Utica…. definitely enjoy the friends, the food, and the entertainment at Grimaldi’s.  I’ll be back with you tonight.  Have a super Saturday!