We started off the weekend by attempting to eat at the best place to get chili...or so we're told. The screaming loud Eagles cover band and hour wait at 9pm on a Friday convinced us that chili wasn't that important. Instead we headed across the historic street to a bar where we were the youngest patrons. Yes, we were the youngest patrons. Not sure what it says about us when we were also the first to leave. Maybe that we're old? Nah, more like we both worked a really long day and it was late.
Saturday morning brought early risers and a fantastic breakfast at the Ol' South Pancake House. I had never experienced anything quite like a skillet full of biscuits and white gravy.
I am certain that one breakfast took years off my life. It might have been worth it. Because we were up so early we missed the late morning college students, stumbling in bleary eyed and hung over hoping their team would win that afternoon. We did not miss the other world that exists prior to 10 am. Whole families are up and about! Old couples who still walk hand in hand! Slightly clueless teenagers who look confused about why the sun is so low in the sky! It was nice to not have to wait for an hour for a table, in any case.
We decided to stroll off breakfast by walking around downtown. As we passed the performance venue downtown, we were offered a free tour. Perfect timing for a theater nerd and a music geek who didn't have anything planned! Bass Performance Hall is a stately building, to say the least, from the outside. Inside it has some beautiful touches while encompassing all of the staid hallmarks of performance halls.
My past history with all things theater related make me a bit of a critic, and most of my criticism is completely unfounded. I admit it. I know what I like and what I don't and I don't really care to defend myself on either count. There were some beautiful art deco touches that I appreciated and would like to see a show there at some point.
But it didn't remind me of the Benedum or Heinz Hall in any respect. More along the lines of a high brow Pittsburgh Public Theater. It seats a mere 2000. It has none of the history, pomp, circumstance or lovely couches in the ladies loo that history has taught me is important. It smacks of carpetbagging, in a way. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against new theaters - despite the impression I'm currently giving here. But I have a much greater appreciation for the huge behemoths that reside in Yankeeland's arts district.
Call me uneducated or stuck in the past, it's ok, I can handle it.
Bicycle Boy and I's food tour continued to The Flying Saucer where we indulged in pretzels and beer, an enjoyable afternoon chatting over good food. He was much impressed with the selection, both of the beers and the locals. We had planned on Joe T's for dinner, which is pretty much a given if you come visit. But by the time evening rolled around we were both still full from lunch and would not have been able to appreciate Joe T's the way it deserves. Some Wii playing and catching up and then it was time to dream of Joe T's.
Joe T's is a landmark. If I knew how to do fancy things like link to a previous post, I could take you right there when Little Sis and I went. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to do that. Take my Yankee word for it, it's pretty fantastic. Maybe I'll take a bunch back when I go home in June? How's that for wedding food, Lil B? We hit it up right as they opened for brunch which translates to no wait instead of the very long line that is present an hour to two later. The food didn't disappoint, and Biker Boy was in heaven. I finally had migas and they made me want to be Mexican.
It was a great weekend, full of food and food.
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