Concert Not So Much…

A few years ago the web gal and I had a blast and a half at a B52’s concert, on their supposed final, farewell tour. Yeah right. How many more of these last, farewell tours are people going to be suckered into, at least the Stones have never said this is the last one, always saying be ready for the next one. Anyway, since we had such a good time at the previous concert, when the double bill of Devo/B52’s concert came up at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena, the web gal bought tickets with no hesitation. Perhaps, she should have hesitated, the old saw about leaving them wanting more and not leaving a bad taste in one’s mouth at over staying or over playing your welcome. Get to that to later…

Porteau Cove

Many, many moons ago, Whistler used to be dead between summer and winter season, so the restaurants had great fall dining specials of three or four courses between $30 and $50. But those days are long gone,  the Il Caminetto $45 Fall Prix Fixe, had some good courses where some courses had a supplemental charge, by this time we were starving and like I say, our last meal there had been great, so bring it on. We started with Polpettine: crispy wagyu meatballs with salsa verde, that were very tasty. Next up the web gal loved her Gem Lettuce Caesar: classic dressing, radicchio, shaved pecorino, cured egg, capers and garlic pangrattato. While my Risotto ai Funghi: had some really fresh mushrooms on top of the carnaroli rice, grana padano, grilled oyster mushrooms and scallions. For our mains, the web gal really savored her rigatoni bolognese: brant lake wagyu beef ragu, pancetta, parmigiano reggiano ‘vacche rosse’, while I equally savored my 6oz certified angus beef tenderloin: crispy north arm farm cauliflower, tuscan kale, charred onion salsa and ruby port jus.  Not a big fan of dessert, but couldn’t resist ordering the Tiramisu with the web gal and was glad I did as the whipped mascarpone, espresso, ladyfingers and dark chocolate were so tasty and fresh. Really nice dinner, service and atmosphere.

Porteau Cove

Next day, back in Vancouver for our pre-concert dinner, thought it’d be fun to check out Minerva’s, a restaurant that Vancouver native, actor Ryan Reynolds recommended to fellow Vancouver native, singer Michael Bublé who gushed on his social media what a great meal he had there. Our waiter said Bublé was a real nice guy, class act all the way, even quietly sang a song to a couple who were celebrating their anniversary.  Ever feeling a little blue, put on Buble’s Feeling Good and not unless you’re a life hating idiot, you’ll be feeling good. While perusing Minerva’s menu the web gal and I were impressed with all the choices. Out of all of Gordon Ramsay’s TV shows, like Kitchen Nightmares the best. Fun to see the mess he tries to solve and the usual excellent results he gets at the end of an episode. But one of Ramsay’s main beefs is a menu that’s got too many items on it. While we really enjoyed our Calamari for a starter and Linguine with Garlic Prawns and Seafood Linguine noodle dishes for our mains, couldn’t help seeing other diners enjoying a meat filled mousakka, perfectly grilled lamb chops, pizza, and on and on. If you can’t find something you like on that menu, you’re in real trouble, as evidenced by a lineup out the door when we left for the concert. Know I want to go back for those lamb chops.

Seafood Linguine

And for the concert, man, what a let down. To me Devo sounded like an indistinguishable bunch of noise, almost every song sounding the same, with their two singers sounding like an annoying drone of nonsense that you couldn’t understand.  The web gal enjoyed the noise though.  And the B52’s weren’t quite as bad, but almost. Relying heavily on the video screen behind them, they had none of the energy of the previous concert, hardly putting any effort into it, barely doing an hour set and leaving with no encore. The web gal agreed that the vibe was not  the same but still appreciated the experience.  Thanks for nothing for me. Oh well, like I say, had two great meals on the weekend, forget the lame-o concert. Got Ben Wristen to do the NSI quiz below. Cheers…

Risotto ai Funghi