Not much to click through here, but a couple of pictures at least.

Went to dinner the other night at Victory American Grille. It was so nice for many reasons. When I was growing up and up until recently I was told all about Bauer's. From how they made the best French Mints to how much my Mom and Dad's friend Gene Amole loved the place. We went to the one in Cherry Creek I have been told, before the restaurant was Lyle Alzado's (which I actually do remember...the waitstaff walked around in sports uniforms and we sat in a plushbanquette and felt very fancy) and liked it. I don't remember it at all. So its been like this myth for the last 35 years. There were a couple of things on the menu at the Victory that were reminiscent (but not the same I have been told), but the sence of nostalgia is very strong here. Which is pleasent. What a turnaround the place has made from it's previous incarnation of a sketchy disco of sorts. The owners rebuilt the signage and have kept much of the feeling and it was I have to admit kind of a thrill to turn left off of 14th street onto Curtis and see the sign down the block. The flooring is original. All the way to the back of the place.


We only wished that they had those darn French Mints. And there is a place in Littleton that actually does replicate the idea pretty well (again from what I have been told). It would have been a super nice touch to have them at the end of the meal.

The picture on the left here is a picture when the Denver Post in the '30s sponcered a free ice cream cone day for the loyal paper boys. We decided that the little boy my Dad is pointing to is my Grandfather. Just because. And what is actually pretty amazing is that timing wise and all that, it very well could be. So play along won't you?

The waitress that night really couldnt' have been bothered with our tables nostalgia, but whatever. The bread was delicious and there is enough on the menu to go back. Its also nice to see some of the items from Footer and the Colorado Mining Company (which I NEVER actually went to) on the menu as well. There is alot of nostalgia on the menu for us local Colorado folk. They should talk about the Top of the Rockies with their Cherries Jubillee and it would be my parents favorite place. I definately believe that any restaurant that does tableside banana's foster needs to be returned to. Now I just have to get a date to a little show called Spamalot, but I have 11 months to work on that.

The picture on the left here... that is the puppy playing with one of the many of the birthday presents. One of many. Ina Garten might have thrown a Pooch Party but I did not. A couple of years back when Maxine lived across the hall Michael, Cynthia and I used it as a good excuse to drink a bottle of wine and give the pupsters meat cake. But since they are gone, it just wouldn't be the same. But the picture is cute and Herschel loves the toys. And we are super grateful that the Bro called that day and made the magic happen. If you look right to his left and six slats over in the window blinds there is a squirrel that eventually came over and looked into the house for a good 10 minutes... as if he was saying "can Herschel come out and play?" it was cute.

This morning went to breakfast/blunch with G. Went to
Luciles. I don't want to say that I ordered wrong, because I didn't really, I just really would have liked to have had the endouille sausage instead of what ever ultra fine ground up sausage they used in my Farmers Potatoes. I have three good meals left out of it still and let me say.... deeeeeelicious. I saved the biscuit. Last time I was there, I ate it right away and regretted not having it for later. So I showed great restraint this morning. Well worth the hour and a half wait. I got there super early so that one: I could people watch and two: get on the list before it got really bad. Our waitress definately didn't have time for us and that is the only complaint that I have for this time. Seriously... I shouldn't have to ask to have my coffee or water refilled twice before it happens. It was annoying, then she was really snide. This ain't no Dicks darlin'. She is honestly lucky that she got a 20% tip. We were prepared to camp a little and pay big time, but she lost out. The manager guy was a treat. Super nice when I walked in, and the food, not the waitstaff is what makes me want to go back again.

For the record, the snow is gone for the most part. Melted in the post storm 70 degree weather that came through. Excellent. Seems so insane that one day the airport will shut down and the next you could be lounging by the pool if it was still open.

Have a good week, a healthy week and be nice to one stranger.