Do you enjoy magic shows? I always have. When it was announced that David Copperfield was coming to Utica and performing at The Stanley, I told Ted we had to go, even if it meant missing out on part of my photography class. Whoops! Bad student!!!! 
The show was incredible. It wasn’t just a magic act. His show was a theatrical performance of illusions, good music, audience participation, and extraordinary talent. You really felt as if you could shake his hand or give him a kiss on the cheek after the show, he was that personable with the audience.
Of course throughout all the illusions, Ted and I were trying to keep our eyes on the corners of the stage or in the dark depths of where the “light doesn’t shine” in an attempt to catch a glimpse of some secret. That was just plain impossible with David Copperfield who has been a performing professionally since he was 12 years of age. But you would have thought we could have caught a glimpse of that car being brought on the stage?! Amazing.
Have you seen a David Copperfield show?
A Quick Restaurant Experience Recap:
If you have lived in the area for many years, you know that the good old “Hook, Line & Sinker” is a great restaurant when you have a yen for seafood, pasta, chicken, or meat. It has a fully loaded salad bar with all the fixings as well as fresh mussels. I’m not a mussel fan, only when I have them off the salad bar at The Hook.
The Hook has made some changes in the past years. It’s decor has changed slightly. The menu changed. The bread changed…I used to LOVE the bread at The Hook. They have switched to offering simple rolls, one per person, which are brought to the table in a metal, funnel shaped basket. I think of all the changes, the bread was the worst that they could have done.
My father used to bring business clients to The Hook for a great meal and good discussions. We’ve had some funny experiences at this old faithful place.
Last night, Ted, Teddy, and I decided to eat at “The Hook” since it has been some time since our last visit. I was disappointed. Not in the atmosphere, and I don’t believe it was the chef’s fault. We had a waitress that served us “physically” but mentally she just wasn’t focused. I asked for the Kendall Jackson Vintners Reserve Chardonnay, she brought me a Riesling. It took 10 minutes after she plopped the wines on the table to get her back to let her know it was incorrect and remind her we had asked for water. We were finally able to order about 25 minutes after being seated. Some of the waitresses friends sat in a booth across from us. I know this because she then spent every opportunity chatting with them, and nibbling at their bread rolls. This is while we were wondering where our dinners were. It was a Friday night and the place was crowded. What was she doing?!!!!
Dinner was finally brought to the table. Ted had a traditional fish fry. I had the baked haddock with broccoli. Teddy had a chicken dish. My broccoli was cold. The fish was dry. It had been sitting too long. Grrr! 
It was a real disappointment last night at The Hook. It wasn’t a situation that will prevent us from eating there again, but we will certainly request another waitress should that familiar face walk up to our table.
Movie Review:
Strange but interesting movie with Jennifer Aniston, Steve Zahn and Woody Harrelson. A lonely guy working at his parents motel falls in love with one of the guests. He proceeds to pursue the relationship through many trials and tribulations. Worth a watch.
Joanne
