Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Spring Break 2012

It’s Monday, first day back to work after spring break week can be a difficult day. For me it is always hard to get to sleep on Sunday night. I’m rested from the week with my sleeping times all askew and I can’t help from worrying about the new week to come. Even if there is nothing to fret about I still can create something in my mind to occupy it and keep me awake.

Then early Monday morning the alarm goes off. The tendency is to hit the snooze, at least until the sun rises. However, this morning I popped awake and was ready to go. I think it has something to do with the beautiful spring weather we are having and also because I had such a wonderful spring break.

We did things a little different this year for spring break. Instead of flying off to a southern latitude, renting a car, spending lots of money and trying to do way too much, we just took a leisurely road trip.

We left Kansas City on Friday morning and drove to Chicago. We pampered ourselves by staying at the old historic Palmer House Hotel. Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day we walked down to the Chicago River and watched them dye it green.

Then it was on to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Columbus Ave. Followed by an afternoon of green beer, corned beef, and fish and chips.

All topped off with a late night deluxe martini at the Palmer House bar. Then we tumbled into bed happy and exhausted.


Sunday was a travel day to Cleveland. For the rest of the week we were going to be staying with relatives so it was all easy on the pocket book. In addition, we decided to try to eat light, fresh snacks and then spurge on one big meal a day.

After a day in Cleveland we were then on to Columbus and on Thursday we made the long haul home so we could be back for the finish of the Kansas City Science Fair at Union Station Friday morning.

It was a great trip. The weather was fantastic. All the relatives were well and a delight to be with. All the cities were fun.

We picked out one thing in each city we wanted to concentrate on. Of course in Chicago it was St. Patrick’s festivities. In Cleveland, we went over in the old Ohio City neighborhood and visited the West Side Market, followed by a Middle Eastern deli lunch at Nate’s Deli and Restaurant. In Columbus we visited two micro-distilleries (Watershed Distillery and Middle West Spirits) and a microbrewery; then sampled their fare on High Street near The Ohio State University.

The only downside was I caught a cold on the way home and felt terrible for two days afterward. But it was short-lived and now I am back and ready for a great week.



Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Sunday Brunch at Avenues Bistro in Brookside


It was a sunny, early spring morning; a perfect day for Sunday Brunch at Avenues Bistro in Brookside. We arrived just after 10am, the restaurant was about half full and we were seated immediately.

The service was casual and a bit laid back which seemed appropriate for the morning brunch atmosphere. Our server was attentive and friendly. The brunch was laid out in a large oval serving area in the center of the bistro. The selection was good for the price. Along with the standard fare of pastries, fruits and salads a few of Avenues special dishes were available in heated serving trays. Also included was a made to order breakfast dish; or if you preferred for an addition charge a more unique entrée could be added.

I started the morning with a Bloody Mary and then switched to coffee as I began the standard brunch. I also had a Swiss cheese, spinach, and tomato omelet that was cooked to order. Everything I had was very good and certainly worth the price. I especially enjoyed several of the salads and the hot dishes that were available. I was a bit disappointed in the sweets, which is okay because I am not a big sugar fan. The pasties were good, but most Sunday brunches have a few desserts that stand out. Not today. Also the fruit was lack luster, nothing to get excited about. And good fruit is one thing I do enjoy. Also my omelet was slight over cooked, but then I am very particular about eggs.

Despite these small setbacks, when you take the total experience, the service, atmosphere, price and overall quality of the food I certainly would recommend the Sunday Brunch at Avenues Bistro and will be happy to return again. However, in the mean time I will keep looking for a Sunday Brunch that provides that little extra something that can make it a truly special experience.