FEBRUARY 14, 2016

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.....  NOT TOO LATE TO GET A CARD, CANDY, FLOWERS OR DINNER RESERVATION....

Don't miss tomorrow night's 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards on CBS  from 8-11:30 pm.  This one I highly recommend since there will be lots of ADULT entertainers.   For openers, how about the entire cast of  HAMILTON performing live from their theater as one of the nominees for best cast album of the year.  Other surprises not revealed, but look for your favorites from Alicia Keys to Sam Smith  performing and presenting as well as Stephen Colbert who CBS is really pushing in its late night battle with rivals NBC and ABC.

  Or the increasingly  popular LADY GA GA singing a tribute to the late David Bowie. And wasn't her rendition of our National Anthem at Super Bowl 50 one of the best since Whitney Houston's 1991 version? As well as newest recording sensation ADELE, Taylor Swift and John Legend.


There will also be a tribute to super-star Lionel Richie with many entertainers singing a medley of his many hits.  As well as  tributes to recently departed Natalie Cole and Glenn Frye of the Eagles.  CBS is doing  a red-carpet arrival 7:00-8:00pm for the first time.  They did a great job with Super Bowl half-time show; though not without controversy.  At least no Janet Jackson costume malfunction.  The Grammy's run long, but is easily viewed the next day on your DVR.

Abe Lincoln and George Washington have different birthdays, , but by tradition both are celebrated as PRESIDENT'S DAY  and commemorated together to give the banks, post office and Federal workers a day off to SHOP!!!  Sales galore Monday and many lasting for at least a week.  Nothing like a holiday for shopping.  Especially if you need a new mattress or home furnishings.

It has been way too long between visits to PUCCINI'S  at 2881 Clark Rd.   Four of us had dinner there last week.  We were seated in the kitchen, as this is by far your best dining experience! We all enjoyed watching Owner/Chef Richard work his culinary magic in a small space and smelling all the different flavors.  This alone is well worth the trip.  However, if you cannot sit in the kitchen, don't let that stand in your way of going to PUCCINI'S.  The other dining area is small and QUIET!!!

There are two seating's nightly in the kitchen; 6 and 8.  However, the main room takes reservations 941-923-7002 at other times.

I know some of you will disagree, but PUCCINI'S is superior to MARCELLO, a new favorite Italian Restaurant south on the Trail.  For one, you can have a conversation without yelling at each other.   And two,  though lacking a table side Caesar salad, the food is superior.  And you bring your own wine or miniatures,  which reduces the cost of the evening.  No credit cards accepted.  There is a set menu, but each evening brings chef specials of either seafood, veal or meat.  

Time is running short to reserve your table for TEMPLE EMANU-EL's 60th Anniversary celebration.  The festive evening begins at 5:30 Feb 28,  and will be over in time for you to get home to watch most of the Academy Award telecast on ABC.  That show is better recorded anyway.  Too many commercials and not enough entertainment.  Here, you will be entertained by Robbie Gold's orchestra, treated to a fine meal and be surprised by an unannounced prize drawing at the end of the evening.  For more information call Renee Gold at 941-379-3298 or email her at  reneeandbert@earthlink.net

Where else but in SARASOTA would a movie theatre have front page publicity?  The opening of Cinebistro in Westfield Southgate Mall generated just that on Tuesday.  These theatres are seen as revitalizing what what was once our most visited shopping center.  Knowing there is a Cinebistro in Atlanta, I went to Editor in Chief, Tracy, for her review....

"We've been there twice.  We ate only once.  Food was OK: Sarasota menu is different than Atlanta's and offers more variety.  As more open, I assume the menu will be tailored to that market.    Service was efficient as everyone needed to be served prior to movie start time.  Second time we went, we had only drinks and candy.  The theater is Clean with nice decor.  It does not replace regular movie going as tickets with dinner are pricey.'

Friend Debbie Hull went Saturday afternoon and writes..."It was fun.  I had a sandwich with sweet potato fries served before start of movie.  A gratuity of 17.5% was added to bill.  Staff was courteouss, attentive and knowledgeable.  The theatre was lovely inside; it felt like flying first class with big screen and limited seating.  Chairs were extra wide, reclining, soft leather; all very comfy."

My take is Westfield will need much more than a unique  movie theatre to revive its shopping center.   More restaurants (Too Jays is IT at the moment), more shops beyond Macys and small boutiques. The announced closing of Coach along with the earlier loss of Starbucks makes it even more difficult.  Plans are in the works for outside dining with more restaurants on the horizon. to purchase tickets for Cinebistro on line or view the menu please click here.

SARASOTA'S best Orchid show opens today at Selby Gardens.  The show runs through March 27, giving you ample time to view and purchase your spring orchid as we get ready to welcome our most beautiful weather of the year.  You do not have to be a member to attend, but members have exclusive hours this coming Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  If you are not already a member you can join by clicking here to become one. In addition, there is more information on this show and other Selby exhibits.

JIM'S RANT....The unseasonably cold weather last month and the first several days of February should make us appreciate the warm up of this week.  I am writing and looking out a dark blue sky with sun everywhere.  This is why we live here.  A few cold days only makes me appreciate Sarasota that much more....JIM

We are getting closer to PEDAL FOR PUPS Sunday March 6.  I encourage you to click the link below poster below to register...And watch for our signs....they're all over town!!!

Thanks to Tracy for wearing two hats this week.  Editing and reviewing.  And thank you for reading each week....until next week....JIM



 

BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU AIM THAT ARROW!!!!