Tuesday, 2/14

I don't even think I can answer my own question.

In the course of interviewing people for “The Greasier the Spoon”, I made sure I asked each and every person—be they a restaurant professional or just a restaurant fan—what one classic but now closed restaurant they would like to see open again, if even for just a day. I've received a variety of responses for old places, from Big Al's to the Tip Top to the Northwoods, but while I was working on the project last night I realized something--

I'm not quite sure how I would answer my own question.

I have had a couple of favored Marquette restaurants over the years, all of which have specific memories or specific likes attached to them. But I don't know if I could nail it down to just one. I miss Entre Amigos. I miss the Rubaiyat. I miss one or two of the Chinese places. Even though it's only been gone a month or so, I even miss Jean Kay's.

But to narrow it down to just one? That's a little harder.

I guess, if pressed or if my life depended up on it, I might—just might—have to pick the New York Deli...the old one, not the newer one. If I had to pick it I'd pick it because of two things—Don Curto, and a dish I had there twice that may have been one of the greatest things I've ever eaten—a chicken and corn with pasta combination that John Godo threw together when he was visiting his grandparent's farm and brought some fresh corn home with him to Marquette.

The dish was THAT good.

But would you want a restaurant back just for a dish you had twice (in two days, I might add)? That;s problematic, at best, and another reason why I'm having trouble answering my own question. Thankfully, though, I didn't interview myself for the documentary. The people I DID interview were able to answer the question, and everyone can see the end result on March 8^th.

And be surprised (or maybe not surprised) when they find out that every restaurant owner I spoke with all mentioned they like to bring the same place back. Which place was that?

Well...stay tuned for the answer opening night.

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)