Wednesday, October 24, 2007

A week in the West of Ireland -- more or less

Saturday 21 April 2007 -- If the e-ticket says, "seat assigned at the airport", it doesn't mean that your arse is going to be in one of them. As the aircraft door closes at JFK, Seamus and the missus are seething at the counter, while the hapless gate agent tries to explain what Delta means by "confirmed". It seems that when they overbook the flight -- which they regularly do -- they ask for volunteers to give up their seat for a travel voucher. If they don't get enough volunteers, then they bump some passengers involuntarily. For your trouble, they book you on the next flight, offer you a $400 travel voucher, put you up in style at the JFK Ramada, and provide generous $7 food vouchers for dinner and breakfast. You have to wonder if they ever tried to get breakfast or dinner in New York for $7. I can't imagine why they have trouble finding enough volunteers. Oh, and did I mention, the next flight is 24 hours later.
"So let me get this right," offers Seamus. "For us to benefit, we have to fly your airline again. Right now, I don't see this happening." So far, the vacation in Ireland isn't off to a great start.

Seamus_yo: "Tell you what! Why don't you upgrade us to First Class on tomorrow's flight?"

Hapless Agent: "But then I couldn't offer you the $400 voucher."

S_yo: "I'll try to hide my dismay."

Hapless: "I guess we can do that."

Things are looking up. First class was almost worth the lost day. But we missed our day on Inishmore (Aran Islands).

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Perfect pints in Portland

Say that three times fast! Three days in Portland (Oregon) shooting videos for the new website means I'm going to have to try something other than the lamb stew. Quite a few locals listed, but most are out in the burbs. Only a couple are convenient to the downtown hotel I picked. Fortune has it that one is Kells, the Portland location of an old favorite from San Fran and Seattle. We finished taping early in the day. But breakfast was a long time ago in Maryland, so it looks like the lamb stew is a late lunch -- and maybe I'll get back later for the live Irish entertainment.

The young waiter is the same lad Britney-yo tried to hire back to Maryland as a marketing assistant a year ago. He's still here, so I guess he's committed to the West Coast. The menu includes Ulster Champ as a side, so I give it a go with a Guinness and the stew. No disappointments here! The pint is creamy, the stew is near perfect, and the champ is a delight. For those unfamiliar with Irish recipes, champ is a traditional mash of potatoes with butter and scallions. At Kells of Portland, they serve it with a demi-glace sauce using a red-wine reduction that gives a traditional dish a little energy.

Next morning, I'm out early to another taping at a newly-built hospital in Newburg, maybe 20 miles south of the city. We finished up interviews before lunch, so I head back into town. The Guinness sensor must be working today, because the sign for "Historic Old Sherwood" catches my eye and I detour. A quick spin around the little town and begorrah, "Clancy's" jumps right out to meet me. Nothing special here, unless you love great little out-of-the-way corner bars in small towns with Guinness and Harp on tap, and a regular lunch crowd. The owner stops by the table to chat a minute and I learn that he is celebrating 19 years running his little pub in Sherwood this week. I ask him if he's "Clancy", but he tells me that he named it after his friend who helped him get the place going. Works for me! No lamb stew on the menu and it isn't today's special, so I opt for the fresh Pacific halibut and chips. I end up having a second pint of Guinness with lunch, so I have to pass on the bread pudding today. The owner seems to know about everybody who comes in, but I might fit in that group the next time. And there will be a next time!

Next week, Missus Seamus-yo and himself are traveling to find a few pubs, some traditional music, and the object of my obsession on the Emerald Isle. So we'll be posting a few from Galway, Killarney and Bantry Bay.

Slainte!












Monday, March 26, 2007

Irish Legends Are Made of This


She came over to the table where Missus Seamus_Yo and himself were enjoying repast, having tired of the crowds at the Philadelphia Flower Show. Theme of "Legends of Ireland" had drawn us 140 miles north on the Saturday before the holiday. McGillins Ale House flowed with Bud Light in a shade of green unknown to the Emerald Isle. Why do wannabe pubs think they need to color beer for the occasion? Scares the hell out of you next morning.


"Izzat a Deefty?", she inquired.


Seamus-yo is no shrinking violet, but his auditory acuity is perhaps a bit less than at its peak. He glibly replies, "Huh?"


"The Nikon -- is it a D-50?"


"Oh, the camera. Right!"


"I had a D-50, actually it was my boyfriend's, but he let me use it all the time. It was a great camera. It's gone now. We broke up."


"Oh, that's too bad!"


"Yeah. I sure miss that camera."



Sunday, February 04, 2007

The stew's second rate, but the rolls are hot!!

Brit-yo, Bailey-yo, Pappy and I bailed early from the reception on the beach. Might have been the 50 degree weather--or perchance the gale. Scuttled the idea of the Rum Happy Hour in Pappy's room, what with no ice, electric, or wide-screen. We actually had all the amenities until the major electrical fire and evacuation earlier in the day. So, we made our way to McCabes in downtown Naples, a friendly watering hole for which I had fond memories. Last year at this time, McCabes was hopping on a Thursday night, and the two Irish entertainers had the crowd buying them rounds and heartily (sometimes lustily) singing along.

This year, the northern climes have been mild and the crowds are staying away in droves. McCabes is quiet, no music on a Monday night, and the cold weather seems to discouraged even the stalwarts among the snowbirds. OK, at least a chance to try out the lamb stew. The Irish waiter appears for our drink order; he turns out to be from Rumania. Nice enough lad, hopes to stay but misses the seasons. Not long for Florida, I fear.

The lamb stew turns out to be a disappointment, but Pappy (the Russdog) orders a round of Patrone Silver shots and subsequently notices that the accompanying rolls have a distinct character all their own.

Hard to fault Pappy for his highly-developed power of observation. Presents an opportunity for Seamus-yo to throw a little fear into Brit-yo and Bailey-yo, "Do you know what I can do with this in Photoshop?"