With 2011 coming to a close I have tidied my office and now it is time to catch up on my writing before the year ends.
Looking back it has been quite a year.
Professionally the year was packed with both trials and appeals. In many cases the consequences upon conviction/defeat were disproportionate to the facts. Fortunately, with hard work and determination the results favoured the clients. Although trial success is personally satisfying the closure and relief brought to the client(s) is for me the true motivation.
On the home front a travels to Paris and London, timed to attend The Open at Royal St. George's in Sandwich, England, a family trip to Montreal, to New York City for the marathon provided some new and exciting dining experiences.
In Montreal where the 2011 virus of "biblical proportion" slowed me considerably I managed to fight my way to the Snowdon Deli on Blvd. Decarie for a bowl of comforting chicken soup and a bagel with cream cheese and lox. The deli's glass fronted refrigerated display coolers are packed full of whitefish, lox, carp, pickles, salads, knishes, pastries and more to tease the eye. The Snowdon reminds of a time in Winnipeg's past.
A family dinner was enjoyed at Montreal's Ristorante Il Cenone - http://www.ilcenone.com/ - where you always get a fabulous home cooked meal in a warm, friendly and family like restaurant atmosphere.
In New York City the options and choices are endless. You ought not to visit thinking you will have time to do everything you plan to do, it is better to conquer the giant with a plan to return often and when there, do what your time permits to the fullest. Accept reality - you will never be able to eat in all the great restaurants and shop in all of the food stores in one lifetime. Decide where you want to go before you leave home, make reservations and go back to New York often!
This visit started with a stroll through Eataly - http://eatalyny.co/ . We lunched at Eataly's La Pizza La Pasta and then again wandered through the 50,000 square foot marketplace of cheeses, fish/seafood, meats, pasta, chocolate, coffee, gelato and more. It is a hard place to leave empty handed - I bought a bread basket.
The weekend was centred around the marathon and our activities planned accordingly. The Saturday matinee of Wicked and dinner at Sant Ambroeus in the West Village - http://www.santambroeus.com/new/frameset.php . I chose the INSALATA DI CARCIOFI (thinly sliced artichokes with arugula and sliced parmesan) and the BRANZINO MEDITERRANEO GRIGLIATO (grilled mediterranean sea bass served with minced potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts). Both were delicious. It is unfortunate more restaurants do not offer Branzino.
Sunday was the marathon. Brunch after the race was at Balthazar - http://www.balthazarny.com/ .The restaurant was packed and reservations are a must. We were required to call on Friday and confirm our reservation. At the Sunday brunch be sure to order a bread basket (Le Panier $21.00 of fresh baked breads and pastries).
Sunday evening took us to the Jets and Ranger game at Madison Square Gardens - "Go Jets Go"
Monday was Brunch at the Carnegie Deli - http://www.carnegiedeli.com/home.php and Dinner at Scott Conant's Scarpetta - http://www.scottconant.com/restaurants/scarpetta/new-york . Conant is a tough judge on the Food Network show Chopped. His restaurant did not disappoint. The Braised Short Rib with Vegetable and Farro Risotto ranks as one the best appetizers I have eaten.
November ended with sad news, a friend and colleague was diagnosed with a rare life threatening illness. This type of news reminds you that life is not fair and time is not a renewable resource.
2011 will come to an end with dinner at one of my favourite restaurants NoRTH in Scottsdale, AZ - http://www.foxrc.com/north.html . The 2012 kickoff is Brunch at the Phoenician Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ - http://www.thephoenician.com/dining/il-terrazzo/il-terrazzo#sunday_brunch .
Wishing you all a year of good health, peace and prosperity.
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