Eamon Patricks

I've heard that Eamon Patrick's has closed? Is this true? Anyone confirm? Bueller? Bueller?

Just Can't Leave Well Enough Alone

Something recently happened to the waterfall that "falls" into my pond. One of the feeder tubes seemed to have lost some flow. So, I replaced it. Nothing. As there is one tube coming from the pond and then split into three feeder tubes I figured I would put in control valves to equalize the filtered pond water flowing into the falls. Cut tubes and install valves. One is leaking a bit so I tighten it down. Good. Now the falls don't look like they used to....the water isn't weaving its way through the rocks right. So, I mess with one section and get it looking pretty good. Now to the troublesome middle section. To get the effect I want, the return hose has to be positioned j-u-s-t right. It just wasn't happening and what did happen? KA-SPLASH!! The whole center section of the falls plunges into the pond. Just hoping that it didn't puncture the liner. Get soaked getting all the rocks out of the pond. Now I can't remember exactly how I had it structured to rebuild it. Build, move rock, adjust return hose...over and over and over and over again. Great...now it is starting to rain. And........KA-SPLASH!! The whole center section of the falls plunges into the pond...again. If my neighbors have never heard a string of 1000 profanities strung together before, they have now. Get rocks out of pond again. Knowing what I had just done, and was pretty close, the rebuild was pretty easy. Looks pretty good. Section 3. Slight adjustment. Take a look at my handiwork and.....that darn center section must have gone whack when I fixed section 3. Adjust, adjust, adjust. HOLY SHI----- Whew...close call...almost lost the whole thing again. So I slide the whole structure back a bit, but now the fall looks like crap. Adjust, cuss, adjust, cuss, adjust...go get beer. Two beers make pond waterfall building more tolerable. After several more adjustments to the rocks, return pipe and valves all is working and looking well. Totally different look than what I had and a little higher which I'm not sure I like. Screw it. WTF??? In all my movement of rock, I noticed that I must have poked a miniscule hole in the first sections return hose as I have a pinhole stream of water shooting directly away from the falls soaking a small tree. Replace tube. Rebuild section one. All is well. Clean up all tools and equipment. Re-run powercords, etc. Huh? Why are the lights on? Go uncover light control mechanism. Must have bumped it a few times during the mulitple re-building process. Re-set. Recover. While I'm soaked from pond water, rain and sweat, I decide to check the other "in the pond" pump and filter. Its clogged. New filter. Now I'm thinking "What if I take the filtered water, run it through some tubing and have it come up under the edge of this huge rock that is overhanging the pond. Go get stuff to do so and equipment. Not as easy as a task as I would have hoped as there isn't a good way to get the hose, which is spewing 875 gallons of pond water per hour, to stay in place. After rigging a clever combinations of aquarium airline tubing and zip ties, it is unnoticeable and just barely causing a stir on the water's surface. SWEET. Time to celebrate with another beer. Where did my big reed plant go? Must have fell over. Reach over plants and brick "dam" and right it. It falls over. And how many times did this happen? Lost track. The airline to one of the bubblers comes off. find bubbler and reconnect. Finally, between a small brick and the edge of the pond the redd plant stays up. What's this next to the bottom of the reed plant? A piece of very thin and long flagstone. Hmmmm...I'm sure this could be added to the falls SOMEWHERE to make even a more dramatic appearance.

At this point, you should be cringing.

Nope...slipped right in where I thought it would look good. Another reason to celebrate...another beer.

What was supposed to have been a half hour project has "entertained" me after the rain this morning until the rain we are getting right now.

I'm done screwing with it. I'm writing this to remind myself what happened the last time I was going to "make a few adjustments" and for my readers to get a good laugh.

Taste of Peoria

I was talking to a local restaurnateur yesterday about his participation in Taste of Peoria. He wasn't planning on it. He said it had become too much of a hassle for one day. Which made me think: When I lived in Rockford for a short bit, wasn't Taste of Rockford 2 or 3 days? I looked it up and this year it is a 2 day event held at an outdoor stadium (it used to be held in a HUGE parking lot). It is open 5-11 PM on Friday and all day Saturday. Several different bands throughout. The cost (I believe) was $5 to get in for both days or there was a one day charge as well. I know myself, I start to get full and can't quite try everything I'd like to, so the two day pass worked for me. There has to be SOME weekend that there isn't something going on at the Riverfront Park.....

Thoughts?

The Last Time For The Holly Hock Story?

It is that time of year again. The annual re-visit to the hollyhock saga. In a nutshell for those of you who have no clue to what I'm talking about: Several years ago I got a letter from the city that the weeds in my backyard along the alley were too high and I needed to cut them or get fined. Here was the issue. Except for a few low growing ferns, mosses, etc., the only thing growing back there were some rogue, yet to bloom, hollyhocks that were towering 6-8' high. Livid with the notice, I berated some poor soul at city hall and was told if they weren't weeds, I had nothing to worry about. My response was if the same inspector who is obviously botanically challenged does the re-inspection, I, in fact, DO have something to worry about. I let them grow and I received no fine (kind of surprised).

The next year, the ages old retaining wall in my back yard started to crumble. I had a new one built and assumed all plant life was destroyed. At the base of the retaining wall (which is set back further from the alley than the previous, crumbling one), I decided to re-landscape with some lower growing ferns, trees and shrubs. As I liked the hollyhocks, I bought a new one. In fact, one of the rarest colors: black (which is more a very dark purple). I planted it at the edge of said landscaping. As the summer approached, the holly hocks grew. To my horror, I came home one day and someone had WEEDWACKED the entire alley and took out the hollyhocks. I'm assuming it was the city or CILCO as my overly industrious retired parents, who would, in fact, weedwack an entire alley to make the whole thing look better, wouldn't have weedwacked hollyhocks. My neighbors, well, if you looked at their properties going up to the alley, you would recognize they weren't responsible. "Weedwacko" didn't touch the ferns, trees or shrubs. Two years ago, I put a sign out pointing out that hollyhocks AREN'T weeds. Last year, I lucked out and actually had some grow to over 9' tall towering over the retaining wall. This spring, I put up a fence and they are starting to bloom but no Yao Mings of hollyhocks this year. But guess what? LO & f-in behold, someone came through, weedwacked the alley, cut off some overgrown trees and left the hollyhocks alone!! FINALLY, those responsible for this weedwacking extravaganza have hired someone who is not botanically challenged (that or they were just lazy not to reach over the fence). I think I've got the cure for the hollyhock blues (and you know what tune to sing that to).






And if that isn't enough to celebrate (I'm soo breaking out the Perrier Jouet) after years of dealing with an evil plant devouring groundhog, I evicted its arse from under the shed. Where it has gone??? Who cares. He used by rock garden flowers for a buffet. So this year I finally can see my Raspberry plant (called beesbaum by my knowsallthingsflowering mother) bloom.





Kick-ass sundail available from Peoria's own Rome Industries at fine garden centers everywhere.

Two Food Items of Note.

First, I am slipping at my yearly (self-imposed) responsibility. Every year around Memorial Day, I post something like the following: As the summer months are approaching (well, now here due to my tardiness), there are a lot more options in the culinary world due to temporary vendors, fairs, festivals and other outdoor events. Of course, I'm not asking you forego these seasonal pleasures. However, I am asking you to remember the local independent restaurants and try to frequent them this summer whether they be a quick bite or a full blown sit down fine dining experience. IF you want these places to be around this late fall, winter and early spring when little else is going on, you got to help support them now, as well. And, as usual, this becomes my form of Lent. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, I do not dine at any chain restaurants. Yes, they have employees, too, that need financial support, but I would rather support the "Local little guy and his/her staff" exclusively for three months.

Last night, I cooked for the Wine & Dine Experience at Willett's Winery and Cellars in Manito. Joe Metzka was the entertainment. I got an e-mail this morning on how nice an evening it was. OK, I'm not tooting the Willett's, Joe's or my own horn here. The e-mail was how nice it was to sit, visit and be entertained and enjoy several courses over a couple of hours and not rushing off to another event, getting to the (insert event here) on time if dinner went too slowly, etc. Yep, its called dining, which seems to be a lost art. Just let your waitperson know that you are in no hurry and plan to spend some time enjoying and relaxing. They are too used to people making dinner a quick, second thought stop before the opera or WWE event.

Now, if you combine these two thoughts, you can go to an independent restaurant, stay there a few hours, relax and soak up THEIR air conditioning instead of sweating to death at outside events. Just make sure you compensate the waitstaff accordingly for "hogging" one of their tables.

Dive bombed

I decided to take a ride today on bike down by the river along the Pimiteoui Trail starting at the Post Office and going to and turning around and going back from Woodruff Park. Of course, there are a few side trails such as the break water at Detweiller Marina.

So, remember the dive bombing blackbird or starling that was attacking people's heads in downtown Peoria obviously in an attempt to defend her nest a few years ago? Well, she and groups of her feathered friends are now located along this trail. Four times I got "buzzed" on the way to Woodruff and three (same areas as before) going back. So, if you are heading out to this trail, pack your football helmet and a large flyswatter.

The Good and the Bad

Two things happened today that made me stop in a bit of awe. One really good thing and one not so good. How some people can be almost overconsiderate and others just plain dickheads.

I'll start with the good. About two months ago, I helped my sister cater the food for the "grand opening" of a new wing at the establishment for which she works. All the corporate "big boys & girls" were going to be there from world headquarters. Things went very well and the gentleman who is in charge of the branch at which my sister works was very appreciative and wanted to take my sister and I out for dinner. Apparently, the CEO phoned him and specifically mentioned that the food was stellar. Unfortunately, this is a 2+ hour drive for me and while I appreciated the thought, I just told him "I'll let you know the next time I'm in Rockford". Today an envelope arrived via my mother who was visiting my sister. In it, a $75 gift card from my sister's boss. I did it to help out my sis. Heck, I would have been happy with a tank of gas at best. but, hey....

Now the bad. I live on a "place" which is sort of a dead end boulevard. Occasionally, there are areas in the boulevard that are open and you can turn around before getting to the end. At either end of these "boulevard island", some of the neighbors, including myself, have taken it upon ourselves to plant and take care of various flowers, bushes, small flowering trees, etc. Well, some person with less driving ability and even less responsibility, drove over the edge and through part of the area I take care of basically flattening several flowers and a dwarf flowering almond tree. I don't know what the hell they were driving, but unless it was a city bus or one of the huge Caterpillar earth moving machines, I don't see how they could not get through without taking out the mini flower garden. Just never sitting out on my front porch with the 12 gauge at the "right" moment. I'll probably fix it, but this time there will be come cleverly disguised spikes.

Speaking of trashing things...the hollyhocks are coming up and will be blooming shortly. If you don't know the story...stay tuned: it is an annual thing with me.

Childer's Sunday Brunch

As promised in a previous post, I would post my thoughts on Childer's Sunday Brunch at their new location in the old Fiesta Ranchero restaurant next to Landmark Plaza. I always have enjoyed breakfast at Childer's Eatery, but his Sunday morning crowd usually finds me with a wait unless I go early.

I went this past Sunday to the brunch. There weren't too many people there which the owner chalked up to it being a holiday weekend as his main restaurant wasn't busy either. To hear that Childer's restaurant isn't busy on a Sunday morning is almost shocking.

Anyway, Childer puts on quite a spread. I didn't take notes, I never do, so I'm sure to miss something, but here it goes. Scrambled eggs, bacon (which was EXACTLY how I like it...somewhere between limp and crisp - none of the half raw bacon nor the kind you bite into and it shatters), sausage, mini biscuits & gravy, home fries, hash browns, teriyaki chicken kabobs, ham & pineapple kabobs, mostaccoli and Italian meatballs in red sauce, stuffed poblano peppers, it appeared to be broccoli and cauliflower in cheese sauce (not a fan of broccoli and cauliflower in cheese sauce so I didn't try it), herb roasted new potatoes, cooked carrots, green bean casserole, cabbage with bacon and corn on the cob, various rolls and pastries. There were a couple of cold vegetable salads, fresh fruit, a mini salad bar. If that isn't enough, there was a table full of mini desserts (if you could possibly have any more room in your stomach). But, I'm not done. There is an omelet station and waffle station. Plus they were carving roast beef and turkey.

All the food I had was reasonably hot. We all know buffet food is rarely "piping hot". My server came around quite a bit refilling coffee and water. I just hope that wasn't because she was bored due to the lack of people. She also came around with "Jumer-like" mini cinnamon rolls.

Two things I'm not sure of: if they put out the exact same items every week or not. I missed Ed when I left to ask. The next thing is the price. I had coffee and OJ and they charged me an additional dollar, so I'm *guessing* you get a beverage with the price of the meal. I was talking to Ed (the owner) when they gave me my change back and I just shoved it in my pocket with some other money I had. I left a $3.00 tip. I'm guessing it runs between $12.95 and $14.95 plus tax. Looking at other Sunday morning brunches prices, Weaver Ridge runs $17.95 and the Par-a-dice is $12.95, so they are "in the ballpark".

I'll go back but probably not when this chef is cooking on the occasional Sunday at Panache.

See You Around The Table.....

Varied Culinary News

Well, it has been awhile since I posted so I probably only have one reader left who is Anonymous.

Anyway, some local culinary news. I'm sure there is more, but this is what I know.

I'm saddened that the Bronze Frog has moved from The Shoppes at Grand Prairie to Junction City because they will no longer offer cooking classes. I guess I'm going to have to set the Webber up in my driveway and hold classes there. Hmmmmm.....

CiCi's Pizza (appears) closed. Don't know when this happened. Anyway, when they first opened I liked their pizza for what it was. Not the greatest pie, but I've had far worse for which I paid more money. The last time I was there...eh. Don't know what changed.

Childers Eatery on University has taken over the old Fiesta Ranchero next to Landmark. Chatting with the owner, he is using it for a banquet center and for Sunday brunch. Now if any of you (if any of you are still out there) have tried to get into Childers for Sunday breakfast after 9:30-ish am, well, I'm pointing at you and laughing. So, they have opened up the banquet center for Sunday brunch. This is on my list ASAP and I shall report back.

A new local food blog by Amber Pawula. Name sound familiar? Yep, the chef/daughter of local fine dining pioneer Chef John Pawula of Stephanie & Chef John's fame. She's now at the stove tops at Chef John's and penning the blog Food Geek. Check it out.

The Kaiserhof in Grand Prairie has a beer garden? How sweet is it that a German restaurant has a BEER garden? Speaking of the Kaiserhof, I understand long-time Peoria area Chef Ray Bartsch (not quite sure about the spelling of his last name) is working there. Some people love Ray, others despise. However, I'm fascinated when listening to him talk about "the old days" in the culinary arts/restaurant biz. It makes me yearn for the days when DINING was an art form, when food was appreciated, service deliberate and it WAS the ENTIRE night; not just a forethought to a night out on the town trying to eat and get to the opera in 45 minutes.

Speaking of restaurants in general, an article in the NY Times says that restaurant reviews in the newspapers, well, mainly the NY Times, do not have the same effect on restaurants as they once had. A bad review meant death, a great review, 10 years of prosperity. Maybe readership is down? Maybe people don't care whether it is 4 stars or not..hell, if it food and I'm hungry who cares if the fries come out of a bag? However, I don't know if the NY Times article holds true in Peoria. In Peoria, it means that after the review comes out in the Peoria Journal Star, people flock to the place (usually the day or two after the review comes out) for a month and then, oh, well, off to our usual chain restaurant or whichever place Danielle Hatch & crew are reviewing this week.

If you haven't stopped in at Willett's Wines in Grand Prairie to try Dan & Cris' wines, ?????????????? Now that the weather is warming up, their Traminette will be awesome on those warm summer days. I love the Traminette, but am waiting for the return of the Vidal Blanc. AND if you haven't got your tickets to the June 20 Wine & Dine Experience at the winery ?????????????? GET WITH IT!!!!

That's about it folks.

See You Around The Table.......

Chef Kevin

Lots of Winery news

For those who follow my blog, you know I've become pretty good friends with Dan & Cris Willett who own Willett's Winery and Cellars in Manito. I try to promote their wines whenever and wherever I can. People ask where they can buy them, and the response has always been "At the winery in Manito". Yes, the drive to Manito isn't on the way to a lot of places. And yes, other local wineries sell their wines through distributors to local retail outlets. But the Willetts have another idea & that idea has come to life. Starting May 1, you can buy their wines at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie. The Willetts now occupy the space that once housed Vino 100 and The TinderBox so now you can try and buy their wines there!! However, you should still try to get to Manito. The late 1800's building that houses the winery is pretty awesome and to see the tanks, wine making equipment and the like is a neat experience.

If you need more of a reason to head to Manito and the winery, the next Wine & Dine is Saturday, June 20 at 6:30 PM where we pair 4 of Willett's Wines with 4 courses prepared by yours truly with entertainment by Joe Metzka. If that isn't enough, I'm even preparing one of the courses out in the dining room. The cost is $50 per person and you can contact the winery to make reservations here. The menu will be:

Caesar Salad: Baby Romaine Leaves, Garlic Croutons, Traditional Caesar Dressing prepared “Tableside” (2009 Willett’s Winery & Cellars Recipe Contest Challis Award Winner) served with Willett’s Winery & Cellar’s Seyval Blanc

Seafood Savannah: Crab, Shrimp, Scallops, Corn & Scallions in Chardonnel Cream Sauce Served in a Pastry Shell served with Willett’s Winery & Cellar’s Chardonnel

Bistecca Al Forno: Oven Roasted Ribeye topped with Rosemary-Roasted Garlic Infused Olive Oil, Tomatoes, Loccotelli Romano and Provolone Cheese with Grilled Vegetable Rotollo served with Willett’s Winery & Cellar’s Chambourcin

Vanilla & Amaretto Roulade with Strawberries Romanoff served with Willett’s Winery & Cellar’s Strawberry Breeze

See You Around The Table

Chef Kevin

Similar Items on Ebay.

Ok, I'm watching the following item on Ebay as it is the filter I use for my aquarium. I get this e-mail:

"Hi Kevin, Buy this item now, before someone else gets it!

MARINELAND MAGNUM 350 FILTER SLEEVES 12 PACK BULK AQUARIUM FILTERS
Buy It Now price: $19.95 End time: Apr-17-09 18:46:17 PDT
Go to My eBay View all watched items

Below this announcement are the"similar items" notification:

Similar Items on eBay

12 Trojan Magnum Large Size Condoms 1/2013 New $7.50 (1 Bid) Time Left:58m

A. How are they similar? B. I hope they are new.

It Is AFTER Lent

I normally do not post about work as I try to keep blogging and work separate. However, yesterday we must have been sponsoring "Bitchy People" day. WTF? You'd think that since Lent is over, people can have, meat, pizza, chocolate, etc. that they gave up for a month and the abstinence that has caused them sorrow, grief, etc. would be gone and they would be more well tempered. Maybe they gave up being rude for Lent and now are trying to make up for lost time.

Famous, Final Last Words....For now

NO, I'm not over the museum TAX yet. I still think the tax increase could be better spent. But, I do have questions:

First, to the 15304 of you who voted yes, if it is such a great idea, why didn't each of you just write a check out for $2700 and spare the rest of us? That would have kicked in the $40 Million-plus. Of course, there is the issue of $10-11 Million dollars that needs to be raised. Depending on how long that takes, how much will construction costs and supplies escalate? How will that cost be covered? Next, there seems to be this revelation . And last, if by the grace of a higher power or some other reason, this doesn't get built, what happens to the tax?

Random Questions in my Mind....

How many times have people stuck blazing hot pizza in their mouth only to have the cheese burn the hell out of the roof of their mouth? One would think they would learn.

A business is closed (or not yet open). Obviously, there are employees finishing up (or getting ready to open). Do people really think by beating longer and harder on the doors or windows is going to get them to re-open (or open earlier)? Do they open at the customers whim at their jobs?

Your pet does a poopy on your carpet. You stick their nose in it and give them a swat. What does that teach the pet? Not to stick its nose in its own shit (OK, I didn't think of this, but I'll relay it to the few people who read this blog).

You're sick. You are home, doped up and trying to sleep. Why do people insist on calling you to see how you are? "I don't know how I am. I just got woke up because the phone ringing!"

You are off to have a root canal or some other unpleasant medical experience. You find yourself driving 70 in a 45. Why are you in a hurry to experience discomfort? It isn't like the doctor or whomever is going to be on time anyway.

You have the day off. You have big plans to get things accomplish. However, you find yourself listening to old Buckingham-Nicks records and blogging.

Flashback...1973

I'm working in the basement this morning and look over at my old Dual 1257 turntable. Its hooked up, but doesn't see much use anymore (as does that horribly expensive - at the time- Nakamichi cassette deck). I go over, have no clue to what last album I listened to (which is unexcusably left on the platter) and hit the switches. 1973's Buckingham-Nicks before they joined Fleetwood Mac.

I sat, zoned out, listening to the first side through the haze of the less than stellar recording and the few cracks and pops. I thought to myself how pure this was...they just probably went into the studio, did their thing and it was done. Few re-takes, no electronical wizardry, no remixs, redubs, no oversampling, no digital tomfoolery.

The side ended, the arm came to the end of the album, lifted up, swung back over and rested on its stand. However, the old Dual didn't shut off!!! The album kept turning and turning. I want to think there is a message there beside the fact that I needed to unplug it to get it to stop.