"Turkeys In Vegas..."

   

Thanksgiving was always a big family affair when I was growing up, and the food and festivities continued with my husband’s family for many years.

Once we moved away from family, we celebrated with friends and their families. It was always my husband’s favorite holiday, particularly because of the dishes his grandma and mom always made on Thanksgiving.

When my mother-in-law passed away about a month before Thanksgiving in 2009, we all were reminiscing about past Thanksgivings; sad that we wouldn’t have anymore of the his mom’s holiday food. As we talked about the traditional Thanksgiving and what we planned to do to celebrate that year, we all looked at each other     and said, “Why do we need to stay in town? Let’s go to Vegas!”

   As harsh as that might sound, it was the perfect remedy for preventing an epic holiday disappointment. After all, we’d all be together, we’d see great shows, have fun, and best of all, eat well. But not turkey and cranberries; it would be steakhouses and sushi, and our motto became, “F*** the turkey, we’re going to Joe’s” (the amazing,  Miami/Chicago,/Las Vegas  restaurants, famous for their incredible stone crabs and steak).

   To top it off, as soon, when we got to the hotel, we saw that Stevie Wonder was giving a concert that weekend. I have every one of his albums and had never seen him in concert; and although my kids grew up in the 80s and 90s, they have listened to his music since they were born.

   The holiday began with the amazing Thanksgiving meal at Joe’s (sans turkey). First course was what Joe’s is most famous for; cold jumbo stone crabs with a mustard sauce like no other I’ve ever had, followed by salad and steaks and even their amazing fried chicken, ending with a key lime pie that beat any pumpkin pie I’d ever eaten. Then, I got to bask in the music of my favorite artist with my family by my side. It really doesn’t get any better than that.

   

That weekend began a celebration with our son and daughter and our son’s then girlfriend, now wife as the nucleus of our new tradition. We shared fun and food in a new way, and I was truly thankful for the fact that we all really WANTED to be together!  We went back the following year and my daughter-in-law even had t-shirts made with our new motto “Forget the Turkey, We’re going to Joe’s!”

Since then, we have happily spent every Thanksgiving together. Last year in Chicago, and this year in St. Louis, with new and innovative flavors and recipes, the feeling is still the same. We love what we grew up, but, even more so, we love what’s ahead!

Happy Turkey Day!

"I Love A Parade..."

  

   

Although no one in my immediate family has served in the military, Veteran’s Day always seemed special to me as a kid.  Growing up, there was always a parade in downtown Columbus on the eve of my birthday, and until I was about 6, I thought the parade was for me.

   My mom would dress me up and we would go downtown to the statehouse square, wave our little flags as the bands and military went by, and pick up the candy they gave out to the children watching the parade.

   My mother was famous for “bending” the truth, so since I seemed so enamored with the whole event, she told me they were having the parade for my birthday.

   But it didn’t stop there. My dad’s optometry office was downtown and he had office hours one evening a week. Mom and I would often take the bus downtown and meet him for a quick dinner between patients. But on special nights like my birthday eve, we would go to the “fancy” restaurant called Kuenning’s across the street from his office. 

   To a five year old who usually ate dinners at her grandma’s while her parents went out to dinner on Saturday nights, this place was the big time. Kuenning’s was located next to the Deshler Hilton Hotel and was a fine-dining restaurant known as the place to be in its heyday. It was also voted one of the most beautiful restaurants. With its ornate carpeting, various levels of seating and beautiful hand carved wooden railings throughout, the place seemed like a castle to me. The deep-set ceiling lights and the tapestries on the wall were all the more magical when I was escorted to our table and allowed to sit in one of the beautiful plush chairs in the main dining room.

   During the day, the place was filled with a business lunch crowd, my dad included. But at night Kuenning’s took on a big city vibe, rare in 1960’s Columbus, Ohio.

The tables had crisp white napkins, folded into a tent , surrounded by heavy silverware and large red water glasses.

   Because of the parade, it was a busy night downtown. The stores stayed open until 8 PM that evening and hungry shoppers were there as well. Dressed in a satin pinafore with puffy sleeves and a lace collar, I walked in with my mom, (Eight months pregnant with my brother) and my dad, feeling like a princess among the crowd.

   Of course there were steaks and lobster and even snails on the menu, but my favorite was a hamburger. Baskets of fresh baked rolls and creamy butter were placed on the table and I got to eat as many as I wanted. At five years old, a salad was not on my list, but Kuennings was famous for their special salad (a kind of Caesar salad with a creamy anchovy dressing and lots of chopped egg), and of course, my parents each ordered one.

   When the waiters brought the main course, they were on plates covered with silver handled globes to keep them warm. The dishes were set down in front of us and, Voila, all the covers were lifted simultaneously to reveal our dinners. 

   Although I’ve had a lot of hamburgers since then, I don’t know if any have tasted as good as the one under the silver dome that night.

   The parade may not have actually been a celebration for my birthday, but in taking me to Kuenning’s, my parents made me feel like the whole night was made for me.