October 15, 2005
Whoosh!
Wonderful show last night at the Oltremare marine park in Rimini. Spectacular dolphins, worthy of SeaWorld.
October 13, 2005
Aperitivo
The Adriatic "Riviera"--20 miles of sand backed by 20 miles of wall-to-wall hotels. Overrun by Germans, Scandinavians and even Italians until mid-September, it's almost deserted now.
But it's been a brilliant fall day, the air brisk, the skies blue, and, at the Lungomare Hotel in Riccione, it ends with Italy's version of happy hour: Campari bitter and complimentary antipasto.
Barman looks like Fabio, with dark hair. Dinner? Ladies perched on slippery stools decide to ignore lavish buffet upstairs, order another round instead. Wise choice.
October 12, 2005
Original Original
Suburban Portland, white house just off the freeway: it started here over 50 years ago, now in 25 states: the original Original Pancake House.
Unchanged since last visit, at least two decades ago, though have stuffed myself at offshoots in Scottsdale and Chicago. Signature dish, as ever, is the Dutch Baby, which arrives quivering from the oven, dusted with powdered sugar, begging for lemon juice, melted butter and maple syrup. Only a detour, yet definitely worth the journey.
Original Pancake House: 8601 SW 24th, Portland, Ore. 503-246-9007
