Culinary Delights In Quebec

Wednesday morning, after breakfast, Jim enjoyed a workout in the well-appointed gym at the Chateau Frontenac, while Dan started reading an engrossing novel given to him by his friend Louise: "Disappearing Earth" by Julia Phillips. Light snow has filled the air of this beautiful city all day, creating a romantic atmosphere. Before lunch we visited the Musee des Beaux Arts, located in three connected modern buildings. For lunch we dined in old town's Echaude Restaurant, featuring the finest food we've had in this cuisine-oriented town. Dinner, after relaxing cocktails in the 1608 Bar, was at the hotel's Champlain Restaurant, run by award-winning chef Stephane Modat. We're sad to say goodbye to beautiful Quebec City this Thursday morning as we make our way to Montreal by rail. - Dan

A Full Day In Quebec

Tuesday morning, after a special crepe breakfast at Le Petite Chateau, the favorite restaurant of our good friends Carole and Pete from Long Island, we walked down to a part of the old city called "Petite Champlain," named after the city's founder. The narrow streets are full of old houses, shops and bistros. At 11 AM we took a guided tour of our hotel, the Chateau Frontenac, which opened in 1893. Yet its most interesting wing was built in the 1920s, which still survives and includes the lavishly decorated lobby. Lunch in the old town, at the wonderful Lapin Saute restaurant was hearty. Jim had a seafood cassoulet, and Dan enjoyed a salmon vol-au-vent. A scrumptious chocolate souffle concluded our meal. We returned to the hotel by the funicular for a rest. Then, late afternoon we had a French language class (with wine!) at the hotel, with a vivacious teacher, a Quebecois woman who is both a licensed tour guide and a former nurse. Dinner later was full of Quebec specialties at Anciens Canadiens, located in one of the city's oldest houses, built in the 17th century. - Dan

Quebec City At The Holidays

For a romantic winter get-away, Quebec would be hard to beat. Our jets traveled from Philadelphia to Toronto and then to Quebec. The delightful old town is topped by the grand Chateau Frontenac, one of the best hotels in the world, unique for its enormous size and French-Canadian charm. For dinner at our first night here we dined at Boulay, highly recommended by our good friend Richard des Jardins (of Quebec,) and others. On the way to dinner we marveled at the beautifully illuminated old town. - Dan

Model Trains Under The Holiday Tree

Thanksgiving At Aspen Street

We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at home with friends Jet and Richard. For appetizers, Dan put out the following treats: hummus, whitefish spread, a Horseradish cheddar cheese and pickled mushrooms. All served with crackers, of course. Plus Jim had baked a bunch of chestnuts, which everyone gobbled down big time. For dinner Jim made a Kabocha squash (rather like acorn squash, very flavorful) and Whole Foods provided the following: mashed potatoes, turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, and green beans with shallots.The only mistake: a big brownie that Jim baked in the oven. To Dan, the chocolate tasted bitter in that and Dan decided not to have any leftover pieces of that item. Jim also put out his tofu turkey, but only Jim and one guest ate any of that. But I have to say that the $69 he paid for the food from Whole Foods was reasonable because that spread would have fed eight instead of the four eaters present here. The nasty brownie came not from Whole Foods but with the tofu turkey (free at Shop Rite) and Jim threw away the rest of it today. The main desserts were separate chocolate mousses from Di Bruno. They were delicious! - Dan

Two Days In Richmond

We joined our friends Chad and Franklin from Baltimore on Saturday for an overnight visit to Richmond, Virginia. We saw four attractions: the Capitol (with a great tour guide there), the Valentine Museum, including a tour of its 1812 Wyckam House, a wonderful example of Federal architecture, the Museum of Fine Arts and the ICA (Inst. Contemporary Art.) The last had mostly displays by artists decrying the past treatment of slaves and black people by those in power, namely white men. It's interesting that the atmosphere in Virginia has changed so much from when Dan visited the state as a child and teen. There was a great Hopper exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts and we also had a really good lunch there in their restaurant, before we took the train home. The weather was just as cool in Richmond as here in Philadelphia. The train ride home, was miserable as there was a half hour delay, lengthening the trip into five and 1/2 hours. Going down to the city was much better, a 4 hour and 15 minute trip. The trains also has a longer stop at Washington when traveling north. Amtrak still has a way to go to match the efficiency of European or Japanese trains. - Dan

Liberty Bell: Our Little Brigadoon Cottage

Thanks for all of the happiness and sleep safe until Spring.