Florida Agenda

By TIM SLIVINKSI

Contemporary dining trends have been undergoing a quiet but steady revolution in the last couple years. Diners have moved away from ordering entrees that are often far too large and instead selecting appetizers as their main course. In realizing this ongoing trend, the owners of what was once the Himmarshee Bar and Grill have revamped their restaurant to accommodate the desires of today’s patrons. And that’s where PL8 Kitchen comes in. It offers a fun, eclectic menu of several small plate options designed for sharing, grazing, and nibbling. It’s a concept that allows diners to try several options on the menu rather than focusing on only one entrée.  Once you see the menu, you will be very glad that the small plate sizes allow for trying several of the delicious options.

It was a quiet Monday evening, threatening rain, when my partner and I decided to give PL8 Kitchen a try. As we were seated in the very industrial looking dining room, Rachel, our gracious and helpful server, efficiently explained the PL8 concept to us. We ordered a cocktail. (Note: The classic Manhattan I ordered was among the best I have ever had.) We then began the difficult task of narrowing down our choices from a menu that creatively uses ingredients to describe everything in a mouth-watering manner.

For our first round—we already knew there would be more than one—we selected a local arugula and corn salad ($8), the cast iron mac n’ cheese (a big surprise at $6), and the shiitake mushroom sliders ($8). As with most small plate and tapas-style eateries, food is prepared to order and served at the table when ready. First to arrive was the salad. Beautifully green, snappy, peppery arugula was dressed with a sherry vinaigrette. The salad was dotted with corn and smoked almond slices, which added texture and crunch. A sliced strawberry completed the presentation. It was light, fresh, summery, and tasty. Next came the mac n’ cheese, creatively served in a small cast iron skillet. It arrived bubbly hot, and I needed to dive in quickly. Each evening the cheese changes, so ask your server.

Rachel informed us that smoked gouda was the main cheese on our Monday visit. It was creamy and rich, and rather than being mere pasta and cheese, the dish offered broccoli, peas, and bacon. I was skeptical at first, but left not one bit in the skillet.

The shiitake sliders made their entrance next. Many may be weary of the slider trend, but creative chefs are moving beyond the burger slider to offer unique takes on the little sandwiches. That’s exactly the case at PL8. The shiitake sliders are a combination of spinach, grilled tomato, mozzarella, grilled red onion, and a balsamic aioli. They were rich and delicious, and we did not miss the beef at all. PL8 additionally offers sliders in chicken, scallop, bratwurst and beef varieties.

We took a break, sipped another cocktail before ordering round two. After glancing through our menu options,
we decided to try out the chicken “chimichangas” ($10) and the oh-so-decadent-sounding duckfat-roasted marble potatoes ($5).

When Rachel brought the potatoes to our table, the aroma alone told me I was in love. They are bite-sized potatoes that carry a hint of the richness of the duckfat, sprinkled with coarse sea salt. Simple, but delicious. The chicken “chimichangas” are unlike any other dish with this name that I have ever had. Put the deep-fried idea out of your mind. Deliciously seasoned chicken sits atop a crispy tortilla. The chicken is complemented by pickled shallots, sour cream, and chipotle cream. Another crispy ring that looks like a cookie sits on top. Somehow, it all works. They are well-seasoned, cool and hot, and fun to eat.

We were pleasantly full and enjoying winding down for the evening, but I had one more request.

I wanted to try one of PL8’s brick oven pizzas, reasoning that what we could not eat would easily become lunch the next day. We asked Rachel to bring us the meatball pizza option ($9). The pizza crust had a great crunch without being overly charred. The generous toppings offered rich and creamy ricotta cheese, tangy san marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, and the meatballs. It was cut into six slices, perfect for sharing. Once again, we had scored a winner. (It was equally good the next day for lunch too.)

PL8 Kitchen is a great addition to the Fort Lauderdale dining scene as it clearly understands what today’s diners are looking for. I look forward to a return visit soon because there are still many “pl8s” I want to sample.

PL8 KITCHEN
210 SW 2nd STREET, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
954-524-1818

Alex Vaughn

Joseph Esposito bought Café Seville thirteen years ago from its original owners. He had originally come to South Florida to join family and to pursue his career path as a chef restaurateur. “I found out Café Seville was for sale, and I bought it. I loved the restaurant since I first discovered it.”

It’s easy to see why. Café Seville is authentic, and that it is exactly what has kept people coming back for years. It did, however, take some time. “The restaurant was not what it is today. It took about four years to turn it around. We weathered the storm; I’m not sure how, but we did and we did it as a family,” Joe says proudly.

Family is a key word in the success of Café Seville. Joe is clear that “people need to feel like they have come into my home.

I want them to feel like family. It’s worked. I have customers who I don’t see for a few weeks and when they come in, I welcome them like family.” It is not just the customers that benefit from the family atmosphere. The staff, too, have been there for years. The chef, José Feuntes, has in fact been at the restaurant since the beginning.

Nestled in a quaint, small and romantic setting, seating only 49 guests with a small wine bar to which customers flock, Café Seville has maintained its reputation for offering spectacular and truly authentic cuisine.

Their signature is the traditional dish of Spain, “The Paella,” and as tradition demands, they offer Sangria to accompany it. Their other dishes that regularly pull loyal customers to the establishment include tapas, fresh seafood, chicken, veal, duck, rabbit and pork dishes –?all made to order. They always offer a wonderful range of daily specials which, in combination with their normal menu, offer their customers a plethora of amazing culinary choices. If that wasn’t enough, all their desserts are made fresh and on the premises. They offer a fantastic selection of Spanish wines and beers. Joe says of the food, “I have to give credit to José, my chef. I wouldn’t be where I am today, if it weren’t for him. He is so passionate and inventive with the food.”

So as they celebrate their 25th Anniversary, how are things? Joe says, “Business is steady; we are supported by locals and feel very fortunate.” He went on to say, “Summer is definitely more quiet. However, our clientele does keep us busy all year round.”
Café Seville, though not within the gayborhood, has a huge following from the community who have fallen in love with the food and the friendly family atmosphere that is offered.

When asked about the gay community, Joe is quick to point out, “We enjoy all of our customers and the support they
provide.” He goes on to speak of changes in the community since he has been in Florida. “It is definitely more open and, because of that openness, people understand and embrace it in a very positive way.” He also sees that having a business that caters to the gay community does not in any way minimize the potential for all types of customers to visit the restaurant. “I feel part of the community.

I have many gay friends. In fact, in the beginning none of them knew about the restaurant. I just said ‘come and try the food.’”

Café Seville is located at 2768 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL. To make reservations, please call (954) 565-1148.

And Now the Good (and GLBT) Movies Will Come Out to Play

Photo: Rooney Mara in “The Girl with  the Dragon Tattoo”

By Warren Day

For at least a couple of decades, the movie year has divided itself into three basic seasons.

The first four months of the year – January, February, March, April – is the Dump Season. The major and critically-acclaimed films having been packed in toward the close of the previous year (to qualify for awards), now give way to the also rans. The new films that are left are largely the ones in which the studios have little faith, so they dump them into these winter months when theater attendance is at its lowest ebb.

Next we have the Blockbuster Season – May, June, July, August. This is when the studios pile on the heroic, comic-book, pre-sold sequels and R-rated comedies to ensure they will keep the theater seats and their coffers full. In this third of the year, studios will earn over 55% of their annual boxoffice. For counter-programming, there are usually one or two adult films released in August. This year, it was the wildly-successful, “The Help.” That film cost only $30 million (compared to other summer films with budgets around $175 million), yet “The Help” is likely to earn $150 million—domestically alone.

Finally, we have the Award Season, which stretches over the last four months of the year, from September through December. It kicks off with three, very high-profile film festivals where the studios test the critical and award-worthy waters, namely the Venice Film Festival, Telluride Film Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival.

All three of these have just finished, and among the hundreds of movies on display were most of the key ones expected to pull in the honors from the critics and award groups (of which the Holy Grail is the Oscar® Awards). Only three films released in the first eight months are expected to have a chance to be nominated in the major Oscar categories: “The Tree of Life,” “Midnight in Paris” and “The Help.”

Colin Firth in “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy”

Already among the critics, industry-insiders, and would-be opinion makers, there’s a growing consensus on what films stand a chance for the top ten lists, and who will be making acceptance speeches at the Kodak Theater in February.

Of those ten, four have GLBT-related content, so this is truly the season when the movies come out.

First up, October 7, is “The Ides of March” with George Clooney and Ryan Gosling. Here, I’m making the assumption that the studio wouldn’t be courting the gay press so much if there wasn’t a gay connection. The plot does revolve around a scandal that threatens an attractive presidential candidate (Clooney) and how an idealistic staffer (Gosling) struggles with the moral and political implications.

It was seen at all three film festivals I mentioned and received kudos for being a taut thriller that could easily take place in other areas of American life.

Ryan Gosling in “The Ides of March”

Then on November 9, we have “J. Edgar,” Clint Eastwood’s film about J. Edgar Hoover who headed the F.B.I or its predecessor for 48 years, welding great power over the secrets of this country, but in his lifetime squelched any rumors he was gay (and maybe a cross-dresser). Leonardo DiCaprio plays Hoover, and Armie Hammer, who played the Winklevoss twins in “The Social Network,” plays Clyde Tolson, his deputy and supposed lover. Eastwood has said this is “not a film about two gay guys,” but the original script was written by openly-gay Dustin Lance Black who won an Oscar for writing “Milk.”

On December 9, we have the movie theater version of John Le Carré’s great novel, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy,” starring some of the best actors working today: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, John Hurt, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Among these male spies, there are two who’ve had a fervent affair that greatly affects the outcome of the story. Previously dramatized in 1979 as one of the most highly-acclaimed TV mini-series (with Alec Guinness), the filmmakers have seemingly been successful in making a 127-minute version of this complicated story. Premiering in early September at the Venice Film Festival and already showing in England, the reviews have been through the roof and the movie is being heralded as a sure thing for several Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor.

Leonardo DiCaprio in “J. Edgar”

Finally on December 21, the English language version of Stieg Larsson’s worldwide best seller, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” reaches theaters. Directed by David Fincher, one of the best directors working today, the advanced word is this may be even better than the well-liked Swedish film version. Daniel Craig plays Mikael Blomkvist, the investigative reporter, and Rooney Mara plays Lisbeth Salander, a bisexual who is also a brilliant computer hacker, and one of the most fascinating fictional characters to emerge in many a year. It may be the first mainstream film to feature a bisexual as its protagonist.

The other movies being touted for best of the year include: “The Descendants” with George Clooney (some are already predicting this will win Best Picture), “War Horse,” Steven Spielberg’s version of the book and play, “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Clear,” with Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, and “The Artist,” a silent film (with music and sound effects) that has charmed critics and already won some awards.

So far this hasn’t been a sterling year for movies (“Green Lantern” anyone?), but as usual the best have been saved for the Awards Season, and from the advanced reviews and buzz, we have some excellent ones coming in the final three months.

And it appears, at least as of now, that 40% of the best films of the year will have some GLBT content, a fact that will further convince the right-wing fundies that Hollywood is a liberal bastion of iniquity. To which I say, thank God it is!

Send comments and questions to AgendaReviews@aol.com.

By AJ Cross

During these economic times, more folks are saving money by making box lunches for work, and cooking dinners at home. I even have found myself watching Julia Child on YouTube while attempting to create the perfect chicken dinner.

It seemed to me that eating out came with too high a price tag. That was until I was introduced to my own delicate and beautiful Geisha. I first saw her face as I was walking along Wilton Drive; her face powdered white, lips bright red, with chopsticks in her hair.

She was on a lit-up sign over a small new place I had never heard of called “Gaysha New World Sushi Bar.”

Obviously the slight play on the name gives homage to the diverse neighborhood in which the new restaurant was placed. I had to check it out. After eating what was the freshest tuna and insanely delicious fresh crab meat I had ever  had, as well as small aperitif provided to  me compliments of the Chef/Owner, Takeshi Kamioka, I was hooked.

When the check came, I thought there had been a mistake for it seemed too inexpensive for what I had just eaten. I was compelled to get to know more about Gaysha so I could let you all in on my new secret on the drive.

I asked Takeshi to explain his concept and how he managed to be so economical while putting out such sensational sushi. He smiled as if pleased I had asked and stated, “I live in Wilton Manors, see a lot of foot traffic and local businesses rather than corporate restaurants or chains. All the little shops around here have their own character and good vibe to them, so I thought I could add to the mix with my unique outlook on food.”

Takeshi told me that he’s been doing sushi since age 16 and now, nearly 20 years later, he’s come to the conclusion that less is more when the ingredients are fresh and each item is masterfully prepared and presented.

He commented on the industrial space as well stating, “I admire lofty warehouse industrial looks, because it’s simple and clean.

I told the electricians to purposely leave the wiring exposed because it adds to the feel of the place.”

I have finally found the perfect quaint sushi bar that won’t break the piggy bank and after several visits back to Gaysha Sushi Bar, I can say that my appetite for new, unique, fresh, robust, and eye-popping sushi has been met.

Check it out and tell Takeshi that AJ Cross sent you. It won’t get you a discount, but with his prices, you won’t need it.
Happy eating!

Gaysha New World Sushi Bar is located at 2223 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. 954-530-0153.

By TIM SLIVINSKI

It was long awaited, but Tee-Jay Thai Sushi finally opened its doors a couple months back in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors, and the diners have been coming in steady streams ever since. It’s no wonder. The transformation that took place in the location is quite amazing. It is a large dining area that is subdued in color scheme and divided by banquettes that provide seating for larger parties. The colors are soothing while, at the same time, offering a hip, upscale look. Smaller tables for two and four surround the larger tables, or a customer can choose to eat at the bar and watch the sushi masters in action.

On a recent Saturday night, we arrived to find the place bustling with hungry patrons. We were able to snag a table in minutes and settled in with a glass of wine to accompany our perusal of the rather large menu offerings. After some discussion, we decided on spring rolls (a traditional favorite) and a summer roll— after all, Labor Day was approaching, the traditional end to summer. Both appetizers were delicious. The spring rolls were packed with crunchy fresh vegetables and the lightly fried delicate crispness of the exterior almost melted in your mouth. I could become addicted to the spring rolls. The summer roll was wrapped in rice paper and filled with shiitake mushrooms. Delicate, flavorful and light, it was a perfect accompaniment to the crunchy spring roll.

When it came time to determine our entrées, we had so many options that narrowing down our selections took us some time. Tee-Jay offers traditional Thai and Japanese entrées, several noodle dishes, sashimi and various types of rolls. Everything is described in an appealing way, which had us changing our minds often. Ultimately, we both decided to order from the grilled entrée selections. I was in a poultry mood, so ordered the chicken breast while my partner was taken in by the grilled tuna. When the entrees arrived, we loved the three selections of dipping sauces that accompanied our perfectly grilled choices. A teriyaki sauce, a wasabi cream sauce and a traditional peanut sauce allowed us to mix and match flavor profiles with our entrees from the hot — but not too hot — zing of the wasabi to the cool slight sweetness of the teriyaki to the smooth creaminess of the peanut sauce. We discussed the different flavor palates, and I decided that I preferred the wasabi cream while my partner was more partial to the teriyaki. His tuna was perfectly seared on the exterior and wonderfully ruby on the interior, just as tuna ought to be. My chicken breast was moist, juicy and fork tender. Wonderful sides of jasmine rice and crispy sautéed mixed vegetables accompanied our grilled entrees. One hint: I actually enjoyed using the teriyaki sauce to flavor the rice. Try it for yourself and see what you think.

We enjoyed the ambiance of the room as we chatted and determined we need to return to try many of the delicious sounding options on the menu. If you are planning to go to Tee-Jay with a larger group of friends or colleagues, you might want to consider ordering one of Tee-Jay’s boats. A table of six gentlemen near us opted for the boat, and I must say it is an impressive presentation. The boats can be ordered in various sizes, and they offer an array of delicious choices, including rolls, sushi, and sashimi, depending upon the size you order. And yes, all the delicacies do actually arrive at your table in a boat.

Tee-Jay offers beer and wine, and my partner clearly liked the selection of Asian beers on the menu; he enjoys their lightness and the slight sweetness on the palate.

Tee-Jay’s clearly seems to have hit its stride along the Drive, judging by the number of happy diners and the quality of its food. We look forward to a return visit. If you have not yet stopped by for lunch or dinner, make it a point to do so. A well-appointed dining room, great appetizers, delicious entrees — what more can you ask for?

Tee-Jay Thai Sushi

2254 WiltonDrive, Wilton Manors, Fl. 33305

954-537-7774

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By Warren Day

Contagion” may be the scariest movie you’ll ever see. Not in a vampire or werewolf kind of way, because deep down you know you’re never going to meet one of those in real life (especially one that looks like Robert Pattinson or Taylor Lautner).

What makes director Steven Soderbergh’s latest film so frightening is that it deals with something that not only could happen, but also has actually occurred in the past and is widely predicted to happen again – a new virus that is resistant to all treatment, resulting in millions of deaths. You may jump out of your seat at more traditional scary movies, but this one will probably give you more nightmares.

Soderbergh has a talent for gathering a stellar cast, as he did in “Ocean’s 11,” “12” and “13,” and here he does it again. In “Contagion,” the stars include Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Laurence Fishburne. The casting is one of the strengths of the film (no star can play everyman better than Damon, and Fishburne has the gravitas to play the head of a large government agency). Since you have some feelings already for these well-known stars the director doesn’t have to spend much time making you care about what happens to them. But the casting is also one of its weaknesses since he wasn’t able to find A-listers for all the major parts, it can be somewhat jarring going from scenes with Damon and Paltrow to a couple of unrecognizable actors with equally sized parts.

From the beginning, Soderbergh gives the movie a documentary feel that makes the events seem quite feasible, and since this virus is airborne and highly contagious, he instills a sense of doom in ordinary occurrences – someone coughing on a crowded bus, blowing on dice for luck, two hands reaching into the same peanut bowl. After seeing “Contagion,” you may find yourself scared to touch another doorknob.

If you think this film exaggerates what can happen in a pandemic, remember that in 1348, the Black Plague hitchhiked a ride to China with traders (the virus in this film also starts in China), and in just two years 30 to 60% of the population of Europe was wiped out. Less than a hundred years ago, 1918 – 1919, Spanish Flu killed as many as 100 million worldwide, including 675,000 in the USA (my great grandfather was one of those). As this film demonstrates, with people and goods constantly flowing across continents today, what used to take two years to develop can now take place in a single month.

The trouble with this kind of story is where do you go

with it? Besides anxiety, what is the audience suppose to feel or think? We’ve always had sound-thealarm movies, but usually they deal with some peril over which we can, if willing, take steps to reduce the threat – proliferation of nuclear weapons, ruining our environment. What can you do against an unknown virus that could already be entering someone’s blood stream, someone who’s about to catch a plane to an airport near where you live?

Send any comments or questions to AgendaReviews@aol.com

By TIM SLIVINKSI

ROSIE’S BAR & GRILL
2449 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors, FL
954-563-0123

Like most people, I truly enjoy finding new places to dine. It’s always exciting to discover a hidden gem tucked away in a strip mall, or a brand new establishment that is hitting its stride right out of the gate. At certain times, however, you just want the comfort of an old favorite, a place where you know precisely what to expect with no surprises to take you away from your main goal:  to relax.  That’s my sentiment about Rosie’s. It’s like an old friend I can return to whenever I feel that need to be in my comfort zone. I may stay away for a while, but when I return, it is as if I have never been gone. And as Martha Stewart would say, “that’s a good thing.”

One of the primary attractions at Rosie’s is their outdoor space. It’s inviting and so well put together that it’s easy to forget that a major four lane road is just feet away from your table. The tropical landscaping is so lush and so well cared for that it all but creates a barrier wall between the restaurant and the street. Quite honestly, no matter the weather, Rosie’s is a spot where I insist upon eating outside. It’s just not a true Rosie’s experience if I don’t. By the way, a fairly recent development has now declared the entire outdoor seating area to be non-smoking.

A recent Monday evening found the partner and I enjoying the relative comfort of a rain-cooled summer breeze as we collapsed from fatigue on the patio. After we each ordered a Skyy martini — they’re on special on Monday evenings — we decided to make a dinner of appetizers because it sounded like fun. After consulting with one another and a bit of discussion, we ordered the most amazing macaroni and cheese balls I have ever tasted. Delightfully crunchy on the exterior and wonderfully cheesy — in a good way — on the interior, they were delicious and amazingly comforting after a long day. My partner is a pickle fanatic, and he could not pass up the chance to order the deep fried pickles. I will admit that I was a bit hesitant, but after they arrived, I threw my hesitation off to the side of the patio. Again, they were crispy outside while offering an astringent tang on the inside. It’s a combination that works. In order to keep things a little — ahem — healthy, we also decided to have a Rose Garden salad brought to the table. It was crisp, green, crunchy (detect a theme here?) and beautifully tossed with tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and onions.  A smattering of cheddar and jack cheese on the top added interest to the fresh greens and veggies. It all created a comfortable, relaxing, delicious Monday night.

On another recent occasion, we decided to return to a couple of old favorites on the menu.  I have always been partial to the Rose Nylund Wrap, and it has nothing to due with how hot Betty White currently happens to be. It’s a classic grilled chicken Caesar salad done in a convenient and tasty tomato-basil wrap. It’s easy to eat, and it always makes me smile. Its simplicity is what makes it so appealing. The b/f opted for one of his Rosie’s classics: the Young Ranch Hand. Grilled chicken sandwiches don’t really get any better than this. Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and ranch dressing top the juicy boneless chicken breast. It’s a bit messy, and that is part of its appeal. You may need the knife and fork to help you.

If you’re up a tad early (10:00am) on a Sunday morning and want to get a head start on your day at the beach, stop in at Rosie’s for brunch. Just like lunch and dinner, they offer an array of fun, tasty options that will get your day going. I am particularly fond of the menu portion known as “Big Dicts.”  It offers variations on the traditional eggs benedict. I particularly enjoy Not Crab with a K.

Pan-seared blue crab cakes anchor this version of the breakfast classic, topped with poached eggs, sautéed spinach and herb hollandaise sauce – almost too decadent for a Sunday morning, but not with a mimosa. My partner is frequently drawn to the Greek omelet because he is a fan of the dish’s feta cheese, Kalamata olives, spinach and tomato combination. It’s his opinion that a Bloody Mary is the perfect accompaniment. During the earlier hours, a comforting mix of smooth jazz and funk play in the background to ease you into your day.

It’s always swell to run into an old friend; it’s fun to get caught up and to renew the bond that made you friends in the first place. That’s what I do whenever I return to Rosie’s after a brief hiatus.

It’s good to get to know Rosie’s again.

THE FIELD IRISH PUB & EATERY
3281 Griffin Road, Dania Beach, FL
954-964-5979

By TIM SLIVINKI

Most of us in the area are well-aware and well-acquainted with the usual dining destinations around town. We can head to Las Olas, maybe check out the beachfront, stroll Wilton Drive or head to South Beach. But there are some other amazing and long-established restaurants that are tucked away in unknown areas along less obvious streets. One recent evening, some good friends suggested just such a place to my partner and me. After a quick drive down I-95 to Griffin Road, we soon pulled in to The Field. If you are not sure where it is, a large Publix is just across the road, and the front of the pub is anchored by a very large banyan tree that is over 100 years old.

While there are other so-called pubs in the area, the Field is the real deal and it makes no pretense about being anything other than that — and the place is all the better for it. There are outdoor seating areas along the front and a spacious side patio that, in less humid weather, would be extremely inviting. As you enter the field, it’s almost like entering someone’s farmhouse. Wood predominates the venue in the rustic wooden tables and benches. Old wooden barrels have found a second life as cocktail tables. The bar is rustic, weathered and wooden. The floors, too, tap-tap as your shoes cross the well-worn wood. An amazing collection of antiques and memorabilia line the walls. Somehow, it all works together to create an inviting, cozy, intimate environment while at the same time lending itself to a great birthday gathering with good friends.

Once we were seated in the spacious dining area, three in the group began to discuss — in true Irish pub fashion — which beers to order. When Steph, our most gracious and charming server, arrived, she was well-versed in helping to pick out just the right selections, even offering to bring a taste of one of the beers to the table to help ease the decision. Once everyone had selected a beer (I chose a cocktail), it was time to consider our growling stomachs.

As you might expect, much of the fare reflects traditional dishes from across the Atlantic. But if Irish or English pub fare is not your palate, never fear as the Field also offers more traditional entrees, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Feeling very taken in by the pub atmosphere, we decided to focus on pub-style food. My partner opted for stuffed cabbage rolls, I selected fish and chips, one friend decided on chicken pot pie and the other chose a feature called drunken chicken. Deciding we wanted a little something to get us started before our entrees arrived, we ordered some steamed mussels as a starter.

When Steph placed the steaming mussels in front of us, all eyes widened. We have all eaten steamed mussels, usually in a white wine-garlic-butter sauce.

At the Field, the mussels come dripping and swimming in a creamy sauce that is smooth with garlic and thyme, unlike any other sauce we have ever tasted with mussels. The bowl was topped with four generous slices of garlic toast and it did not take us long to dig in. No one complained. The mussels were tender, and the sauce was velvety and savory and oh-so–good. We requested more bread so the remaining sauce would not be wasted. Steph told us that one lady requested a straw for the remaining sauce and then, as she walked away from the table, she could hear the woman slurping through the straw! That’s how good the mussel broth is.

When our entrees arrived, everyone was pleased with his own selected dish. My fish and chips were crispy with tender, moist interior.

I liked that malt vinegar was brought with the order without my requesting it.  My partner’s stuffed cabbage was rich with chopped sirloin, seasoning and rice, and he pronounced them to be just like homemade. The chicken pot pie was crowned by an enormous puff of pastry while the pie itself was chock full of large chunks — not processed cubes — of tender chicken. The drunken chicken offered a sautéed boneless breast in an Irish Whiskey sauce and a comforting dollop of mashed potatoes. We were all busy eating and busy getting full.

In addition to a great pub atmosphere, delicious food and friendly, helpful service, the Field also offers live entertainment on select nights. On the night we were enjoying ourselves, a young man named Paul Baker was paying acoustic guitar and singing a mixture of originals and covers. It was pleasant and not at all overpowering. Quite simply, we loved the Field and cannot wait to return. Sometimes you just need to get off the beaten path.

By Tim Svlivinki

On a recent Monday evening, my partner and I decided we were in the mood for something outside our comfort zone. We further decided we wanted to “dine out” rather than “eat out,” the distinction being that we wanted to spend some time lingering over cocktails and courses as we enjoyed an evening out. After a short drive down U.S. 1 to Hollywood, we walked into the front doors of Sage. A marble bar to the right beckoned, but we opted for a table more conducive to our desire to dine. Sage is a restaurant that still believes in white linen tablecloths and white linen napkins. Candlelight flickered on the table as our waiter approached and took our cocktail order.

Soon we were sipping our chosen libations and perusing the very French menu. Opting to throw caution to the wind, we chose the Foie Gras au Torchon. I knew it would mean extra time at the gym, but I did not care. We asked for it to be pan seared (a menu suggestion), and a short time later, a very generous portion of this decadent appetizer arrived. It was surrounded by small mounds of apple chutney and drizzled with a very light orange sauce. Crusty French bread is the perfect vehicle for enjoying Foie Gras and, as we took our first taste, we knew our dining experience had begun in style. It was smooth, delicate and oh-so-rich. We savored every bit of it until the plate was clean.

After sipping our cocktails a bit more, we decided to move on to our salad course.

I selected the Salade de Chevre Chaud, a warm goat cheese salad. It offered fresh artisan greens topped by a crispy on the exterior and creamy on the interior goat cheese round. Orange segments surrounded the salad, as well as being mixed into the greens. A light orange reduction dressed the greens. The orange sections and their sweetness were an excellent foil to the creamy richness of the goat cheese. It was truly an excellent salad. My partner chose the Salade Endive Belge. Apple chutney, walnuts and honey vinaigrette topped the bitter greens as well as crumbles of aged Roquefort cheese. Again, a contrast of sweet and bitter in the carefully selected flavor palate elevated this salad above the typical dinner salad. As it disappeared, forkful by forkful, I did not have to ask whether he enjoyed it or not.

SAGE 2000 Harrison Street, Hollywood, FL 954-391-9466

Taking a brief break to let our food settle a bit, it was time to venture into the entrée selections on the menu. Sage offers various selections in seafood, poultry, beef and even a few pasta selections. Feeling like I wanted something traditionally French — and something I had not eaten in quite some time, I ordered the classic Boeuf Bourguignon. This dish offers solely braised beef in a Pinot Noir sauce with carrots and onions. It is served with fresh homemade fettuccine.

When the dish arrived, the aromas of the dish were mouthwatering; I couldn’t wait to take my first taste. It was everything I remembered this classic dish to be. Elegant and rich and brimming with tender chunks of braised beef. Excellent, from first bit to final bite. A scallop lover, my partner decided upon Coquilles St. Jacques. This traditional dish consists of seared scallops and mashed potatoes. When it arrived, it came in a unique plating arrangement. Perfectly seared scallops surrounded a glass crock of mashed potatoes that were topped a leek fondue. It was original, creative, and attractive. The scallops were tender and not the least bit overcooked, as can often occur, and he loved the mashed potatoes and leeks.

Because we were dining, we decided to do something we rarely ever do: Order dessert and linger just a tad longer. Not wanting anything too overly sweet, we selected an Apple Tarte Tatin to share. Wonderfully flaky pastry with caramelized apples, warmed, accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream offered the perfect closing to our Sage dining experience. It was sweet and satisfying, without being overly sweet.

Service at Sage is professional and friendly. Courses are spaced well, with each selection arriving as it should, giving you the opportunity to enjoy each course you select. It is a comfortable and intimate room that invites you to sit back, relax and enjoy the experience. The next time the urge to dine strikes you, consider a trip to Sage in Hollywood.

A Stage Review by WARREN DAY

There’s a long and cherished tradition in the American theater to base comedies around one or more eccentrics, going from “You Can’t Take It With You,” to “Auntie Mame,” to even big musicals like “Hello Dolly” and “The Producers,” to current productions like “The Addams Family.”

Yet, not every eccentric makes for a satisfying comedy, as is the case with the Caldwell Theatre’s world premiere production of “Stuff” by Michael McKeever.

Based on a true story, it concerns two brothers named Homer and Langley Collyer who lived, if you can call it that, from the Gilded Age of the late-19th century until the mid-20th.  In 1909, along with their doctor father and ex-opera singer mother, they moved into a large brownstone in what was then fashionable Harlem.

The father abandoned the family in 1916 and, over the next 28 years, the brothers descended from eccentricity into madness. They became the stuff of legend, living as hermits, filling the multi-rooms of their mansion with everything from the chassis of an old Model T to fourteen pianos (both grand and upright) and thousands of newspapers. Eventually, the living space in this four-story townhouse was reduced to a few square feet as they lived out their lives without electricity or heat, and with only narrow tunnels through the junk to get them from one packed room to another.

It’s a story that has fascinated many writers including, not surprisingly, Stephen King, as well as E.L. Doctorow, the prize-winning author of “Ragtime.”

In the two acts of “Stuff,” the playwright has picked but two nights out of their lives, one in 1929 when their mother was still alive, and then in 1947 when literally their lives, and their junk, were crashing around them. And that’s a central problem: There’s no gradation of development, because you go from when the hoarding was manageable to when it was chaotic insanity. The play starts at a sad place and jolts toward a much sadder one.

The playwright offers no penetrating insight into why the brothers were the way they were, instead pulling out the old chestnut of the domineering mother (the fallback cause in many a play and novel as to why someone was an unhappy homosexual).

For over two hours, the brothers bicker and sling insults at each other and, while the audience laughed a good deal, it’s hard
to make a consequential evening at the theater of two inconsequential people who did nothing consequential with their lives. You end up with the uncomfortable feeling of being asked to laugh at two people who were mentally ill.

The play itself may be lacking, but as usual for the wonderful and adventuresome Caldwell Theatre Company, the direction by Clive Cholerton is top notch, the set by Tim Bennett is outstanding, and the acting is at a highly professional level, with
the playwright Michel McKeever giving a fine  performance as Homer.

Running through July 31 at the Count de Hoernle Theatre, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33487.