Portals and KM

Painting of Duck Confit with Duck Fat Fries

Here is a 16" x 20" acrylic painting of duck confit with duck fat fries. This was our most popular dish while we were in France this summer. We even cooked it at home several times. This work was done from a photo I took at a small cafe on the Left Bank in Paris. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sale is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing at Riccobono's. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. You can also find my work at the Salvadorian restaurant, La Macarena located at 8120 Hampson St, New Orleans, just off Carrolton Ave. at Riverbend. Here is a post on it: New Paintings Are for Sale at La Macarena, New Orleans.  

My paintings are also for sale at the Community Commitment Center on Leonidas and Spruce. Part of the center is Stella's Cafe where you can get delicious drinks and food for very reasonable prices. The proceeds go to support the excellent work of Community Commitment Center, run by Nicole Bouie, as do a portion of the sales of the paintings. The center provides classes for children and adults and other programs including a summer camp. Here is post on the show - Paintings for Sale at Community Commitment Center New Orleans.

There are also two paintings as part of the permanent collection at Red Gravy, a wonderful downtown Italian restaurant at 125 Camp Street. (504) 561-8844. Here is a post about them: Red Gravy: Great New Orleans Brunch. Our friend, Spider Murphy, plays banjo at their weekend brunches. 

Painting of Waterlilies at Giverny, France

Here is a 16" x 20" acrylic painting of some of the descendants of Monet's waterlilies at Giverny.  This is the third work I have finished since we returned from France but I have others in the works.

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sale is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing at Riccobono's. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. You can also find my work at the Salvadorian restaurant, La Macarena located at 8120 Hampson St, New Orleans, just off Carrolton Ave. at Riverbend. Here is a post on it: New Paintings Are for Sale at La Macarena, New Orleans.  

My paintings are also for sale at the Community Commitment Center on Leonidas and Spruce. Part of the center is Stella's Cafe where you can get delicious drinks and food for very reasonable prices. The proceeds go to support the excellent work of Community Commitment Center, run by Nicole Bouie, as do a portion of the sales of the paintings. The center provides classes for children and adults and other programs including a summer camp. Here is post on the show - Paintings for Sale at Community Commitment Center New Orleans.

There are also two paintings as part of the permanent collection at Red Gravy, a wonderful downtown Italian restaurant at 125 Camp Street. (504) 561-8844. Here is a post about them: Red Gravy: Great New Orleans Brunch. Our friend, Spider Murphy, plays banjo at their weekend brunches. 

Painting of Sunflower Shadows

Here is a 16" x 20" acrylic painting of sunflowers and their shows in Talance, France, just outside Bordeaux. This is the second work I have finished since we returned from France but I have others in the works.

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sale is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing at Riccobono's. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. You can also find my work at the Salvadorian restaurant, La Macarena located at 8120 Hampson St, New Orleans, just off Carrolton Ave. at Riverbend. Here is a post on it: New Paintings Are for Sale at La Macarena, New Orleans.  

My paintings are also for sale at the Community Commitment Center on Leonidas and Spruce. Part of the center is Stella's Cafe where you can get delicious drinks and food for very reasonable prices. The proceeds go to support the excellent work of Community Commitment Center, run by Nicole Bouie, as do a portion of the sales of the paintings. The center provides classes for children and adults and other programs including a summer camp. Here is post on the show - Paintings for Sale at Community Commitment Center New Orleans.

There are also two paintings as part of the permanent collection at Red Gravy, a wonderful downtown Italian restaurant at 125 Camp Street. (504) 561-8844. Here is a post about them: Red Gravy: Great New Orleans Brunch. Our friend, Spider Murphy, plays banjo at their weekend brunches. 

Painting of French Tomatoes

Here is a 16" x 20" acrylic painting of  tomatoes I found where we stayed in the Loire Valley. They were intensely sweet. This is the first work I have finished since we returned from France but I have others in the works.

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sale is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing at Riccobono's. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. You can also find my work at the Salvadorian restaurant, La Macarena located at 8120 Hampson St, New Orleans, just off Carrolton Ave. at Riverbend. Here is a post on it: New Paintings Are for Sale at La Macarena, New Orleans.  

My paintings are also for sale at the Community Commitment Center on Leonidas and Spruce. Part of the center is Stella's Cafe where you can get delicious drinks and food for very reasonable prices. The proceeds go to support the excellent work of Community Commitment Center, run by Nicole Bouie, as do a portion of the sales of the paintings. The center provides classes for children and adults and other programs including a summer camp. Here is post on the show - Paintings for Sale at Community Commitment Center New Orleans.

There are also two paintings as part of the permanent collection at Red Gravy, a wonderful downtown Italian restaurant at 125 Camp Street. (504) 561-8844. Here is a post about them: Red Gravy: Great New Orleans Brunch. Our friend, Spider Murphy, plays banjo at their weekend brunches. 

Painting of Greek Melons - Samos

Here is a 9" x 12" acrylic painting of melons served aa complimentary desert in Mytilini Greece on the island of Samos. It was done on a recent trip there. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sale is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at three of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is Willie Mae’s Uptown. It is located at 7457 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, 504-417-5424. Here is a post describing the showing at Willie Mae’s. Another is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing at Riccobono's. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. You can also find my work at the Salvadorian restaurant, La Macarena located at 8120 Hampson St, New Orleans, just off Carrolton Ave. at Riverbend. Here is a post on it: New Paintings Are for Sale at La Macarena, New Orleans.  

My paintings are also for sale at the Community Commitment Center on Leonidas and Spruce. Part of the center is Stella's Cafe seen below where you can get delicious drinks and food for very reasonable prices. The proceeds go to support the excellent work of Community Commitment Center, run by Nicole Bouie, as do a portion of the sales of the paintings. The center provides classes for children and adults and other programs including a summer camp. Here is post on the show - Paintings for Sale at Community Commitment Center New Orleans.

There are also two paintings as part of the permanent collection at Red Gravy, a wonderful downtown Italian restaurant at 125 Camp Street. (504) 561-8844. Here is a post about them: Red Gravy: Great New Orleans Brunch. Our friend, Spider Murphy, plays banjo at their weekend brunches. 

Painting of Greek Peaches - Samos

Here is a 9" x 12" acrylic painting of peaches served aa complimentary desert in Mytilini Greece on the island of Samos. It was done on a recent trip there. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sale is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at three of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is Willie Mae’s Uptown. It is located at 7457 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, 504-417-5424. Here is a post describing the showing at Willie Mae’s. Another is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing at Riccobono's. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. You can also find my work at the Salvadorian restaurant, La Macarena located at 8120 Hampson St, New Orleans, just off Carrolton Ave. at Riverbend. Here is a post on it: New Paintings Are for Sale at La Macarena, New Orleans.  

My paintings are also for sale at the Community Commitment Center on Leonidas and Spruce. Part of the center is Stella's Cafe seen below where you can get delicious drinks and food for very reasonable prices. The proceeds go to support the excellent work of Community Commitment Center, run by Nicole Bouie, as do a portion of the sales of the paintings. The center provides classes for children and adults and other programs including a summer camp. Here is post on the show - Paintings for Sale at Community Commitment Center New Orleans.

There are also two paintings as part of the permanent collection at Red Gravy, a wonderful downtown Italian restaurant at 125 Camp Street. (504) 561-8844. Here is a post about them: Red Gravy: Great New Orleans Brunch. Our friend, Spider Murphy, plays banjo at their weekend brunches. 

Red Beans and Rice Parade in New Orleans Lundi Gras

Here are a few scenes of this fun event during New Orleans Mardi Gras. We will make this a regular part of our carnival schedule. It operated like a second line with many people joining into the walking parade. There were stops at Buffa's, Candlelight Lounge and other places. Most of the costumes were made with red beans and there was a guy offering repair services in route.

   

 
The many faces of the Red Beans and Rice parade: Here is Arséne DeLay and many others. You can see her red beans top hat on the left below. One woman came as Freida Kahlo. They threw bean cups. 

   

 

Updated Index to Cities and Towns with Restaurant Picks – November 2015

I have now provided restaurant picks by friends for an increasing number of cities and towns. I also do a few myself. This blog post serves as an index to them with links for easy access. I will continue to update this index as I add more places. It is past time to update it as I last posted the index on May 2010.

Why do I write about restaurant picks by friends when Zagat and other places have plenty of reviews for most cities? My reviews are by people I know and trust their tastes. I do not know the people in Zagat’s or Gourmet. etc. and I do not always agree with them even though I do use them as useful input. You just have to decide how much you trust me versus the “official” guides. I certainly do not pretend to be an expert but I also am not connected with any places or have an agenda except to give my opinion and those of people I trust. I just know what I like and the list is part of my personal knowledge management system. I often consult it myself went going on a holiday or business trip. I hope it helps you, also. Here is a post that explains it in more detail, Restaurant Reviews – Why I Blog Them. In this post I also show how I both agree and disagree with another ’official” reviewer, Gourmet Magazine.

Here are the places:

US

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Belmont and Somerville, MA lunches

Boston, MA - city limits

Boston, MA - surroundings

Boston and New York - Where to get good coffee

Boston Chinatown

Boston Late Night

Boston Massachusetts Restaurants: A Local’s Favorites for 2007

Boston Area Restaurants 2007: Part Two Surrounding Area

Boston and Cambridge Restaurants – August 07

Boston’s Best Fried Chicken

Cambridge, MA (1)

Cambridge, MA (2) update

Camden Maine 2011

Finding the Best Fried Clams on Cape Cod

Detroit

Detroit 2008

Detroit Restaurants: Part Two: Heavy Eating

Detroit - Steve Carter's Taste of Motown

Detroit Restaurants: A Local’s Favorites – 2009

Hanover, NH

Iowa City

Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson. Wyoming Update (2/06)

Jackson, Wyoming Cowboy Dance Bars

Jackson Update 5/07

Jackson Wyoming- January 08

Lafayette Opelousas Area

Los Angeles

Los Angeles Fast Food

Los Angeles Dining Update – February 2009

Maggie Valley, NC

Middle Tennessee

New York – Midtown and Village

New York - Upper West Side

New York – ICoppi & Savoy

New York – Spotted Pig & Magnolia Bakery

New Orleans – my picks

New Orleans – Harmony St. Charles

New Orleans Update 5/05

New Orleans Update 4/06

New Orleans 2007 Update on Restaurants

New Orleans Restaurant Update Winter 2010

New Orleans 11/05 update

New Orleans Restaurants December 2011

New Orleans Restaurant and Lodging Update 2012 

Chiba: Great Japanese Food with a New Orleans Twist

New Orleans Meals in 2014 – Part One

New Orleans Meals in 2014 – Part Two

Summer Dining in New Orleans 2014

Fall Dining in New Orleans 2014: Part One

Fall Dining in New Orleans 2014: Part Two

Some Great Vietnamese Restaurants in New Orleans 4/15

Some Great Latin Restaurants in New Orleans 4/15

New South Cuisine

Northern Michigan

Ocean City and Biloxi, Mississippi

Omaha, Nebraska Restaurants: A Local’s Favorites

Favorite Vietnam Restaurants in Oklahoma City

Onset, MA – An Occasional Visitor’s Favorites

Philly Cheese Steak

Pioneer Valley (Amherst) MA Area

Pioneer Valley (Amherst) MA Area Brew Pubs

Providence Rhode Island

San Francisco – unlimited budget

San Francisco - ethnic

San Francisco –good value

San Francisco - Cafe Kati

San Francisco Italian

Update on the San Francisco Restaurants – 5/07

Update on the San Francisco Bay Area (and Wine Country) Restaurants – 5/07

San Francisco - 11/06 Update'

San Francisco Restaurants: 2012 Update

Santa Fe

Santa Fe Update

Seattle

Seattle (healthy)

Somerville, MA - Cafe Belo

St. Louis

Update on St. Louis Restaurants

St. Louis Restaurants: 2009 Updates on 2006 and 2008 Local’s Favorites

Tampa, FL Part One

Tampa, FL Part Two

Tampa Florida Restaurant Log, Part Three – November, 2008

Tuckee, Nevada

Upper Cape Cod Massachusetts

Vermont Country Inns

Victor, Idaho

Breakfast and Lunch in Watertown and Belmont, MA

Washington, DC

Washington DC - Southern Soul Food

Western Michigan

Williamsburg (Brooklyn) New York

Williamburg Update 4/06

 

BBQ

Carolina BBQ

Oklahoma Barbecue

BBQ Part One: Louisiana vs. Texas

BBQ Part Two: Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.

BBQ Part Three: North Carolina and eastern Virginia

BBQ Part Four: western Virginia, Alabama, and Georgia

BBQ Part Five: Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia.

BBQ Part Six: Alabama and Mississippi.

BBQ Part Seven: New Orleans

BBQ Part Eight: Carolinas and Brooklyn

BBQ Part Nine: Gulf Coast 

Canada

Quebec (1)

Quebec (2)

Quebec Country Inns – Eastern Townships

Quebec Restaurants October 2007

Quebec City Restaurants: 2010 Update

Toronto

Toronto Update (3/06)

Vancouver

 

Europe & Asia

Amsterdam

Barnes, UK

Bombay (Mumbai), India

Geneva, Switzerland

Istanbul, Turkey

Lucca, Italy

Lugano, Italy

Paris (1)

Paris (2) – Frenchguys.com

Meals in Paris September 2006

Eating in Honfleur, Normandy Coast

Rome

Samos, Greece

Sardinia & one from Rome

Sardinian Beach Bars

Singapore

Singapore Restaurants Update 2009 Via Local Twitters

Zurich, Switzerland

Painting of Meadow in Washington State

Here is a 11" x 14" painting of a meadow on the Olympic peninsula of Washington state. It is done from life in the plein air style. I did not do a preliminary drawing but just painted directly with the brushes. I was not looking to exactly copy the scene but rather be inspired by it. Beneath the painting you can see my set up and part of the scene. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is Willie Mae’s Uptown. It is located at 7457 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, 504-417-5424. Here is a post describing the showing at Willie Mae’s. Another is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing at Riccobono's. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. There are also paintings haning at the Albert Brown Salon located at 3424 Magazine Street in New Orleans.  Here is a post about the Albert Brown show with all of the images. You can also find my work at the Salvadorian restaurant, La Macarena located at 8120 Hampson St, New Orleans, just off Carrolton Ave. at Riverbend. Here is a post on it: New Paintings Are for Sale at La Macarena, New Orleans.  

I am now having a second show at Buffa’s Back Room, one of my favorite music venues in New Orleans. Here is a post on this new show at Buffa's. Here is a post on the first one: My Paintings Are Up at Buffa’s Back Room, New Orleans. There are also two paintings as part of the permanent collection at Red Gravy, a wonderful downtown Italian restaurant at 125 Camp Street. (504) 561-8844. Here is a post about them: Red Gravy: Great New Orleans Brunch. Our friend, Spider Murphy, plays banjo at their weekend brunches. 

Painting of Espresso in Brooklyn

Here is a 12" square painting of a cup of espresso from Cataldo's in Brooklyn. It followed a wonderful old school Italian lunch.

 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is Willie Mae’s Uptown. It is located at 7457 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, 504-417-5424. Here is a post describing the showing at Willie Mae’s. Another is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing at Riccobono's. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. There are also paintings haning at the Albert Brown Salon located at 3424 Magazine Street in New Orleans.  Here is a post about the Albert Brown show with all of the images. You can also find my work at the Salvadorian restaurant, La Macarena located at 8120 Hampson St, New Orleans, just off Carrolton Ave. at Riverbend. Here is a post on it: New Paintings Are for Sale at La Macarena, New Orleans.  

I am now having a second show at Buffa’s Back Room, one of my favorite music venues in New Orleans. Here is a post on this new show at Buffa's. Here is a post on the first one: My Paintings Are Up at Buffa’s Back Room, New Orleans. There are also two paintings as part of the permanent collection at Red Gravy, a wonderful downtown Italian restaurant at 125 Camp Street. (504) 561-8844. Here is a post about them: Red Gravy: Great New Orleans Brunch. Our friend, Spider Murphy, plays banjo at their weekend brunches. 

BBQ tour of the US South – Part Eight

Here is the eighth installment of our BBQ tour of the US South. The first one covered Louisiana and Texas. The second post covered Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The third covered North Carolina and eastern Virginia. The fourth part covered western Virginia, Alabama, and Georgia (by way of Vermont). The fifth covered Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia. The sixth covered Alabama and Mississippi. The seventh one comes home to New Orleans. This is a very unscientific sampling taken from doing a search on the likely places we might stop for a meal. We consulted the Southern BBQ Trail and Our State Magazine (NC), as well as doing simple searches. The research is just beginning. This post covers our travels in June 2015. It covers North Carolina, Alabama, and goes north to Brooklyn, NY.

B’s Barbecue, Greenville provided us with some wonderful pulled pork and chicken. “William and Peggy McLawhorn started B’s Barbecue in the late 1970’s. Now William has retired, Peggy works part-time and their three daughters run the business. Dexter Sherrod, who has worked with the family cooking the pigs and chopping the barbecue since the business opened, ably assists the girls. Dallas Moore cooks the chicken. Dexter says he cooks about 40 whole pigs per week” It was recommended by a cousin who said to get the combo, which we did along with potatoes and corn bread sticks. B’s is located at
751 B’s Barbecue Road, 
Greenville, NC 27834
(No Phone).

     

Skyline Inn in Ayden North Carolina has been providing great BBQ since 1947. It has long been known as a great place for cue. In 1979 National Geographic published a book entitled Back Roads America and basically proclaimed Pete Jones’ Skylight Inn to be some of the best Barbecue in the country. it has also received four James Beard awards for “Americas Classics,” among many other notations. It certainly lived up to its reputation. We had  pulled pork and coleslaw with corn bread.  It is located at 4618 S Lee St, Ayden, NC 28513 (252) 746-4113.

   

We had some of the best ribs ever at Ronnie’s Ribs in Elgin, South Carolina. Thye also supplied the best ever South Carolina mustard sauce. The South Carolina Barbecue Association has named Ronnie’s a “100 Mile Barbecue!” 100 mile barbecue is barbeque so good, you’d drive 100 miles for it! It is well deserved. Ronnie's Ribs is located at 808 Whiting Way Lugoff, SC 29078.

       

While we were on this trip we also went to the Hometown BBQ in Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY. It was recently named one of the top ten new BBQ’s in the US. We when there twice. The first time we had “pulled” lamb and Korean style ribs. The second time we had their beef rib, something they are well known for. It was huge, over a pound and a half, and delicious. They also provide live jazz on a Sunday afternoon. It is located at 454 Van Brunt St (Entrance on Reed Street) Brooklyn, NY 11231 (347) 294-4644.

       

We also ate some fine BBQ at Hill Country BBQ in downtown Brooklyn. We had brisket, ribs, along with green bean casserole, corn pudding, and sweet potatoes. They were all good. We also heard Erin Harpe play some great blues. It is located at 345 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, (718) 885-4608.

   

When we got back to New Orleans we tried two new places, both had been gambit winners in different BBQ categories. The first was Walker’s Southern BBQ were we had brisket and cochon du lait. They were both amazing. It was named best pork by New Orleans Magazine. Walker’s Southern Style Barbecue is located at 10828 Hayne Blvd. out in New Orleans East by the lake. 504-241-8227

 

 Cochon was named best fine dining cue by New Orleans Magazine. We had their smoked pork ribs with watermelon pickle and wood-fired oysters with chili garlic butter. At the same meal we also had grilled eggplant with farro, parsley salad & whipped feta, chicken & andouille gumbo, shrimp & eggplant dressing. All were wonderful. Cochon is located at 930 Tchoupitoulas St.588-2123

 

 

Clarksdale Blues Festival: Day Two

Saturday April 11 was the official day of the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksldae, MS. It was our second day on site. Our second day ended like the first, with the best act. On our way home we stopped at a small juke joint, Annie Bell's Lounge, on the outskirts of town to hear an hour of Ricky Burton and the Da Basic Soul Blues Band work their way through Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, and more to end with a powerful version of 'A Change is Going to Come.”  Then we drove an hour back through the rural Mississippi countryside listening to Ray Charles.

   

During the day and early evening, we were in downtown Clarksdale hearing a number of blues men and women ranging from 86 year old LC Ulmer to 16 year old Kingfish Ingram, just back from a tour of France.

 

In between we saw Joyce Diva Jones and the Peckwood Blues Band doing "Spoonfull", Ernest “Guitar” Roy, Roosevelt Roberts, and many more.

           

We got some nice fried catfish from a street vendor for dinner. 

 

Clarksdale Blues Festival: Day One

We attended two days of this year’s edition of Juke Joint Festival in Clarksldae, MS. The event describes itslef as “half blues festival, half small-town fair and all about the Delta."  During the daytime, there were a dozen small stages. At night, all of the surviving juke joints, blues clubs, are open with live music. There was a full pre-festival event on Friday. Big George Brock closed it out for us at a packed Red's Lounge. In his 70s, his statue and voice are still big. He sang reminiscence of Muddy Waters and played the harmonica like Little Walter.

 

During the day there were multiple popup venues on the streets, as well as clubs. You can see some of the venues below including Pete’s Grill and Red’s Lounge were George played with a cooker out front creating wonderful smells. There is also the Ground Zero Blues Club.

           

We sat in on long interviews at the Delta Blues Museum with two other blues guys in their 80s, LC Ulmer and Leo Welch (shown). They both sang and told stories of growing up playing blues in rural MS. There were also many clubs with acts.

   

For dinner we found a very spicy crawfish boil at a club while a band from Tupelo played. 

 

Riding the Mississippi Blues Trail: Part Two B. B. King Museum

An essential stop on the Mississippi blues trail is the B. B. King Museum in Indianola, MS. On our way back to New Orleans we stopped for almost four hours at the museum in Indianola, MS. Here is the front of the museum that is Barksdale's cotton gin where he worked as a young man the more modern section of the museum. It is located at 400 Second Street, Indianola 662-887-9539.

   

It was perhaps the most innovative museum of any kind I have seen. In addition to many exhibits of photos, artifacts, and narrative, there were multiple video clips and interactive displays where you could learn about the musicians who influenced B.B. and who he influenced and hear them play. You could trace a song's migration across generations. There was also a display where you could create you own all-star blues band and hear how they would sound. You could even sit with a guitar, be taught how to play cords, and hear your progress. The exhibits traced his 90 years, his generous spirit, and great music. It was also a good summary of the times. I have seen B.B. King play live twice. First in 1968 when he came to my college campus and then at Jazz Fest 2013. Below is photo I took at Jazz Fest, and the Blues Biscuit, a cafe across the street where we had a good lunch of fried cat fish and pulled pork. We sent so much time there that we had to save our planned stop at the Hwy 61 Blues museum in Leland for another trip.

   

Here are scenes at nearby Itta Bena near where he was born. The town has likely seen better days but retains a great amount of character.

 

 

Here is a 24" square pairing of B. B. King based on the photo above.

 

Riding the Mississippi Blues Trail: Part One

Mississippi claims to be the “birthplace of America’s music” in their promotional literature. It seems that when it comes to blues they have a good claim. However, New Orleans was the birthplace of jazz and Louisiana was home to much more, such as Louisiana's Huddie Ledbetter or "Leadbelly," as he became known, whose blues begin in 1912 before many of the Mississippi blues men were born and includes the classic "Midnight Special." So there is a controversy here. These two music forms, jazz and blues, along with gospel spawned much of what followed. Both can claim credit for R&B with Mississippi's Ike Turner's 1951 "Rocket 88" but then there is Fats Domino's 1949 hit, "The Fat Man." So it was very meaningful to make a pilgrimage from New Orleans to north Mississippi where many blues artists originated. We came for the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale but also to see more of the Mississippi delta region that lies between the Yazoo and the Mississippi rivers. 

The Mississippi Blues Trail includes a series of markers. As the web sites says, the trail “markers tell stories through words and images of bluesmen and women and how the places where they lived and the times in which they existed–and continue to exist–influenced their music. The sites run the gamut from city streets to cotton fields, train depots to cemeteries, and clubs to churches.” Below is the front of a marker in Clarksdale for Ike Turner and the Ground Zero Blues Club, also in Clarksdale.

   

There are a number of museums, including four we visited: the Delta Blues Museum and the Rock & Blues Museum in Clarksdale, and Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum in Tupelo. The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center deserves its own post and will be covered next. The Delta Blues Museum is in the old train depot built in 1918 for the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad. It has many great exhibits including the remains of the cabin from Stovall Farms where Muddy Waters lived during his days as a sharecropper and tractor driver. It is across the street from the Ground Zero Blues Club.

It was interesting to compare content within the B. B. King museum with the Elvis birthplace museum in Tueplo. The latter was much smaller and only covered the early years of Elvis. There was a picture of the young Elvis and B.B. standing together on the blues trail marker outside the Elvis museum. Here are also views of the exterior and interior of the house where Elvis was born. Ironically, they both left MS for Memphis in the same year to better themselves. Elvis went with his family as a 13 year old on his father's decision, and B.B, went on his own as a 23 year old established musician.  B.B. went on to take his big band version of electric blues to the world, making himself and his music famous. Elvis created a synthesis of blues, gospel, and country to help start a new strand, rock and roll. Both were products of north Mississippi at the mid-20^th century and each changed the world.

     

Here some views of the countryside and towns along the trail including two of the many blues clubs still in operation. 

             

The Food of Amsterdam

This is the last of a six post series on the architecture and culture of Amsterdam.  This summer I was there for a few days in May on my way to Samos Greece and then for a week’s stay on my return form Samos. I learned from a Dutch friend of direct charters from Amsterdam to Samos so we decided to make it our transfer port.

Amsterdam offers wonderful food options and we ate well here enjoying Dutch, Indonesian, Chinese, and Spanish meals. Here are some of them.  In May we found a nice café next to our B&B on Kerkstraat. First we had mushroom soup with brown bread, a ham and cheese pancake, and pork meatballs in a tomato sauce. We later came back for some nice tomato soup.

         

For dinner we had traditional Dutch in the neighborhood. We started with cheese coquettes, steak with mushrooms, fries, and small pancakes.

       

The next night we had Spanish tapas at Tapas Bar Catala located at Spuistraat 299. They included spinach and pine nuts, chrizo, and fried calamari.

       

When we returned in June we went to Chinatown for the first night. We ate at Nam Kee Chinatown located at Zeedijk 111 - 113 where we found one of the few places you sit out outside. We started with shrimp toast. Then we had very large oysters in with a hot sauce, garlic frog’s legs, and Peking duck. 

       

Lunch the next day was more Spanish tapas at La Oliva located at Egelantiersstraat 122-124 in the Jordaan. We had a mushroom tortilla and a squash soup with Serrano ham. 

.       

A light dinner canal side on the Singel included Dutch cheese coquettes, and a pancake.

 

 The next night provided an Indonesian rice table at Kantjil on at Spuistraat 291-293. We had Nasi Poetih, Saté Babi, Saté Ikan, Daging Roedjak, Pepesan Oedang, Kredok, Sajoer Lodeh, Broccoli Tjampoer, s.g. Kentang, s.g. Telor, Seroendeng and Kroepoek.

   

A mid-day snack included the small sweet Dutch shrimp and some fried cod obtained from a street vendor in a small shop.

 

 Our last meal was a very high-end treat at De Belhamel, located on the Brouwersgracht in Amsterdam, where this canal crosses the Herengracht. We had a canal side table. The place has many art nouveau details. It received the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand award annually since 2007, including this year. The meal included nice bread; sautéed prawn and scallop with puff pastry and a chive-shrimps beurre blanc; sliced sirloin with anise mushrooms, green and yellow zucchini, fondant potatoes and a Cognac-tarragon sauce, and poached haddock fillet and fried tranches of langouste tail with fennel puree and mustard dill sauce. 

           

The Bicycles of Amsterdam

This is the fourth of a six post series on the architecture and culture of Amsterdam.  This summer I was there for a few days in May on my way to Samos Greece and then for a week’s stay on my return form Samos. I learned from a Dutch friend of direct charters from Amsterdam to Samos so we decided to make it our transfer port.

I was impressed by how the people of this flat city make such great use of bicycles. My hometown of New Orleans could learn a great deal from the Dutch. This post provides many views of the bicycles.

                             

The Canals of Amsterdam

This is the third of a six post series on the architecture and culture of Amsterdam.  This summer I was there for a few days in May on my way to Samos Greece and then for a week’s stay on my return form Samos. I learned from a Dutch friend of direct charters from Amsterdam to Samos so we decided to make it our transfer port.

I was moved by the many beautiful canals of this city that lives well with water. My hometown of New Orleans could learn a great deal from the Dutch. This post covers the many interesting doors found on the homes and businesses that line the canals. Here is a collection. 

                                     

















 

The Doors of Amsterdam

This is the second a six post series on the architecture and culture of Amsterdam.  This summer I was there for a few days in May on my way to Samos Greece and then for a week’s stay on my return form Samos. I learned from a Dutch friend of direct charters from Amsterdam to Samos so we decided to make it our transfer port.

I was struck by the beautiful architecture of this city that lives well with water. My hometown of New Orleans could learn a great deal from the Dutch. This post covers the many interesting doors found on the homes and businesses that line the canals. Here is a collection.                                       

The Windows of Amsterdam

This begins a six post series on the architecture and culture of Amsterdam.  This summer I was there for a few days in May on my way to Samos Greece and then for a week’s stay on my return form Samos. I learned from a Dutch friend of direct charters from Amsterdam to Samos so we decided to make it our transfer port.

I was struck by the beautiful architecture of this city that lives well with water. My hometown of New Orleans could learn a great deal from the Dutch. This post covers the very large windows found on the homes and businesses that line the canals. When these house were constructed that made the window openings and then built the rest of the walls around them. Because of the very narrow staircases, the old houses have cranes at the their top. After the windows you will see a few of them. Here is the collection. 

                                               

Here are some of the cranes located on most of the old house tops. 

       

 

 

Dining in Samos: Complete Listing of Posts

Here is a complete listing with links of a ten part series on dining on the Greek island of Samos. I have now been there three times for stays of a month or more. I have painted on each stay. Here is a link to the last ten paintings I did in 2014. This time has also has given me a chance to sample many of the great restaurants on the island. The first three posts look at the smaller mountain villages and seaside towns. The larger towns are covered in individual posts. I started with Mytilini, the largest of the mountain towns and then Karolvasi, Pythagora, and Samos Town. 

   

The island also has great local produce, meat, and fish and we did a lot of cooking at our friend’s home in Mytilini where we stayed. The series would not be complete without sharing some of the many sources for local food, both commercial and non-commercial. This produce also inspired a number of paintings that are shown in the last post along with their models. 

Dining in Samos: Part One: Seaside Villages

Dining in Samos: Part Two: Northern Mountain Villages

Dining in Samos: Part Three: Southern and Western Mountain Villages

Dining in Samos: Part Four: Mytilini

Dining in Samos: Part Five: Karlovasi

Dining in Samos: Part Six: Pythagora

Dining in Samos: Part Seven: Samos Town

Dining in Samos: Part Eight: Home Cooking

Dining in Samos: Part Nine: Mytilini Food Providers

Dining in Samos: Part Ten: Produce to Paintings

Dining in Samos: Part Ten: Produce to Paintings

This is the last of a ten part series on dining on the Greek island of Samos. I have now been there three times for stays of a month or more in the mountain village of Mytilini. I have painted on each stay. Some of the paintings were inspired by the local food. I showed some in the first post on Dining in Seaside Villages and the one on dining in Mytilini. Below are a number of acrylic paintings of local produce proceeded by the food that inspired them. The first four are 1o" square and were done in 2014. The next two are 16" x 20" and were done in 2012. The last one is a fish about to be cleaned that my friend painted in watercolor in 2013. 

                         

Dining in Samos: Part Nine: Mytilini Food Providers

This is the ninth of a ten part series on dining on the Greek island of Samos. I have now been there three times for stays of a month or more. I have painted on each stay. Here is a link to the last ten paintings I did in 2014. This time has also has given me a chance to sample many of the great restaurants on the island. The first three posts look at the smaller mountain villages and seaside towns. The larger towns are now be covered in individual posts. I started with Mytilini, the largest of the mountain towns and then Karolvasi, Pythagora, and Samos Town.

The island also has great local produce, meat, and fish and we did a lot of cooking at our friend’s home in Mytilini where we stayed. The series would not be complete without sharing some of the many sources for local food, both commercial and non-commercial. Around the corner from us was an excellent bakery run by a German woman and her Greek husband who was the baker. We often got breakfast pastries as shown in the last post, as well as fresh bread.

       

We got fresh fish from a man who drove a truck with his daily catch by our house each day. He announced his catch through a loud speaker. We did not know the Greek words but could just pick out our choices from the iced selection in the back of his truck. Some of his offerings were covered in the last post.

 

There was an excellent produce store where we got the tomatoes shown in the last post and much more including the onions below. The town also had a meat market and comprehensive grocery and general store, as well as a wine cooperative. A number of people raised their own goats. There were few sheep on the island but many goats as they are more self sufficent. They roast goat stuffed with rice for Easter in a wood fired oven as shown in these scenes from 2012 near Leka. They also roast goat on a spit like many of the other islands. I had the honor for turing the spit for a few moments. After roasting they stripped the meat in a pulled pork style. 

                    

Occasionally, a produce man could drive through town and we could buy fresh fruit and vegetables from the back of his truck. Another man sold cheese from the back of his truck.

   

Wine grapes were grown in the surrounding hills, as well as a few in town. While it is an inland village many fisherman live here. Here is one working on his trap.

       

Right in town there were many orange and lemon trees. We had friend who supplied us from their trees in the April-May season. There are also numerous fig trees, many just growing wild. We found an unattended one that supplied us during the September season.

       

Above town were a number of olive orchards. We often walked up there so see the changing light at sunset and have view of the town and Turkey and the sea in the distance. They cut the brascnhes back every year so the olives do not get too high on the tree. The trees develop very thick trunks for their short size as shown in the grove just outside town.

     

 

Dining in Samos: Part Eight: Home Cooking

This is the eighth of a ten part series on dining on the Greek island of Samos. I have now been there three times for stays of a month or more. I have painted on each stay. Here is a link to the last ten paintings I did in 2014. This time has also has given me a chance to sample many of the great restaurants on the island. The first three posts look at the smaller mountain villages and seaside towns. The larger towns are now be covered in individual posts. I started with Mytilini, the largest of the mountain towns and then Karolvasi, Pythagora, and Samos Town.

The island also has great local produce, meat, and fish and we did a lot of cooking at our friend’s home in Mytilini where we stayed. There was a grill in the back and a full kitchen. Below you can first see eggplant and calamari on the grill, then the results. Next there is grilled zuchinni. Then there is a photo of another grilling of chicken and potatoes and the results. We got fresh fish from a man who drove a truck with his daily catch by our house each day. He announced his catch through a loud speaker. We did not know the Greek words but could juts pick out our choices from the iced selection in the back of his truck. Here you see a fish about to be cleaned. The calamari also came from him. We found several videos on how to clean them on YouTube. You can see him and his truck in the next post on food providers.

             

The fish below came fromt he fish truck and was grilled. the pork came from the local meat market as did the chicken above. The pork below had garlic from the produce store embeeded in it and was grilled with onions. 

 

There was a wonderful bakery just around the corner which is shown in the next post. We often got breakfast pastries. The bread shown was sliced and grilled. The pastry is served with some fresh peaches we got at a roadside stand. There was an excellent produce store where we got these tomatoes and much more. I made paintings from many of the fresh fruits and vegetables. The last post in this series shows the produce and the paintings they inspired.  Occasionally, a produce man could drive through town (shown in the next post) and we could buy fresh fruit and vegetables from the back of his truck. 

   

Many people have their own chickens. We also made a quiche fromn the fresh egggs we got from a friend's chickens. The island produces the best tasting potatoes I have had anywhere. They became the source for a number of dishes inlcudidng the garlic and onion fried potatoes shown below. Below these are one of the fresh eggs with left over fired potatoes and an eggplant tomato cheese pie made from all local products. 

     



 

Dining in Samos: Part Seven: Samos Town

This is the seventh of a ten part series on dining on the Greek island of Samos. I have now been there three times for stays of a month or more. I have painted on each stay. Here is a link to the last ten paintings I did in 2014. This time has also has given me a chance to sample many of the great restaurants on the island. The first three posts look at the smaller mountain villages and seaside towns. The larger towns are now be covered in individual posts. I started with Mytilini, the largest of the mountain towns and then Karolvasi and Pythagora.

This post covers Samos Town, the capital and largest town on the island. The Town of Samos was built in the middle of 18th century as the port of Vathy, the older town locate dup the hillside to protect it from pirates. The houses of the newer town are built to amphitheatrically formation, around the bay. In front of the settlement is the port of Samos with wharf of more than 150 meters length. It is place where large cruise ships come in. There are in the process of redoing the harbor front to make it more attractive with cafes and trees.

We had two lunches there. The first was is in a garden café. We had a eggplant spread, nice bread, and a seafood combo.

       

The next place was just off the main street in an open courtyard. We had fried eggplant, garlic spread, zuchinni fritters, pork with fries. You can also see the harbor from above. 

         

Dining in Samos: Part Six: Pythagora

This is the sixth of a ten part series on dining on the Greek island of Samos. I have now been there three times for stays of a month or more. I have painted on each stay. Here is a link to the last ten paintings I did in 2014. This time has also has given me a chance to sample many of the great restaurants on the island. The first three posts look at the smaller mountain villages and seaside towns. The larger towns are now be covered in individual posts. I started with Mytilini, the largest of the mountain towns and then Karolvasi.

This post covers Pythagora, a yacht harbor on the south coast. It is the most upscale and tourist oriented town on the island with many large yachts in the harbor. The harbor is lined with restaurants and bars that canter to the more upscale tourists. You can many signs advertising traditional Greek food. In the smaller towns this is assumed. There are also some fishing boats and many tour boats going to other places in Samos or nearby islands. I preferred the smaller towns but there is still some good food here. At one place in 2014 we had mussels and lamb stew with a nice sweet to conclude the meal.

       

At another in 2013 we had a Greek salad, grilled bread with three sauces, and a seafood platter.

   
   

A nice lunch in 2012 consisted of a simple salad, bread with chick pea spread, fried calamari. 

     

Dining in Samos: Part Five: Karlovasi

This is the fifth of a ten part series on dining on the Greek island of Samos. I have now been there three times for stays of a month or more. I have painted on each stay. Here is a link to the last ten paintings I did in 2014. This time has also has given me a chance to sample many of the great restaurants on the island. The first three posts look at the smaller mountain villages and seaside towns. The larger towns will now be covered in individual posts. I started with Mytilini, the largest of the mountain towns. It is where we stayed.

This post covers Karlovasi, the second largest town on the island. It has a working harbor and nice old section up on a hill over the new town. It is located on the northwest side of the island. The School of Sciences of University of the Aegean  is located in the town. It was a flourishing tannery and tobacco manufacturing centre in the early 1900s. Many magnificent neoclassical mansions can be seen from that period as well as the remains of the large stone-built factories at the "Ormos" seaside.

Dionisos is an excellent restaurant in the middle of the new town at Plateia 8is Maiou, Below you can see some of their offerings. They include: fava bean spread, sautéed field greens, grilled cheese, cheese pies, goat in tomato sauce with fries, and chilled cherries for desert.

           

We also went to a fish market where you can order fish cooked to pick up in the afternoon. You see some of the selected and the two grilled fish we enjoyed for lunch.

       

There is a great restaurant just outside Karlovasi in a small hill town. It is called the aristocrat in Greek. Below you can see some of their offerings. They include a salad with lemon mustard dressing, pastry with honey, stuffed onions with tomato sauce and cheese, pork stew with fries, mousakka, and pork with green beans in a lemon mustard sauce. 

             

Dining in Samos: Part Four: Mytilini

This is the fourth of a ten part series on dining on the Greek island of Samos. I have now been there three times for stays of a month or more. I have painted on each stay. Here is a link to the last ten paintings I did in 2014. This time has also has given me a chance to sample many of the great restaurants on the island. The first three posts look at the smaller mountain villages and seaside towns. The larger towns will now be covered in individual posts. I start with Mytilini, the largest of the mountain towns. It is where we stayed.

There are several restaurants in the large old town square off the main road. The one on the far side has the most varied menu. It also has wifi so we went there on many occasions for wine and snacks and a few meals. Here are some samples. We liked the eggplant rolls best as they used eggplant as the wrapper around a nice cheese sauce with meat. There are also zuchinni fritters, fish roe spread, grilled cheese, Greek salad, pork steak with fries, the grilled bread that came with many dishes, roasted goat in tomato sauce with fries, and a complementary sweet. Sometimes they have music jam sessions on Sunday afternoons.

                     

The Rooster is on the side near the main street. It is known for its grilled chicken but there are other good selections, especially when festivals bring larger crowds In 2013 they provided live music.

                   

The local movie theater is another source of fine food. It is located under the starts in a walled garden. There are tables and chairs instead of the rows of attached movie seats. Beer and wine are served along with pizza, as well as Souvlaki and fries are served. There are two intermissions to get refils. During the second intermission they serve a complementary sweet like the restaurants. in this case it is always Lukomates shown in the painting I did below inspired by their offerings. 

     

 

 

 

 

Dining in Samos: Part Three: Southern and Western Mountain Villages

This is the third of a ten part series on dining on the Greek island of Samos. I have now been there three times for stays of a month or more. I have painted on each stay. Here is a link to the last ten paintings I did in 2014. This time has also has given me a chance to sample many of the great restaurants on the island. This first post looks at three of the smaller seaside villages. The last post covered the northern mountain villages. The larger towns will be covered in individual posts.

Paghondas is located in the south central hills. It has wide town square skirted by the main road. We ate at the place on far side as you enter. We had stuffed tomatoes and mousakka.

     

Myloi is located just below Paghondas and has a beautiful town square away from the main road. We just had a snack there, at the first place in the square, of wine and fried potatoes but we were told the restaurant has a limited but reliable menu.

       

Drakei is located at the end of long road around the west end of the island. You can only proceed by foot beyond Drakei. It located high on a hillside overlooking the sea. We ate at open terrace on the second floor of a restaurant. It had a nice view of the sea. We had wonderful fried calamari, some vegetable fritters, and small fired fish.

       

Dining in Samos: Part One: Seaside Villages

This begins a ten part series on dining on the Greek island of Samos. I have now been there three times for stays of a month or more. I have painted on each stay. Here is a link to the last ten paintings I did in 2014. This time has also has given me a chance to sample many of the great restaurants on the island. This first post looks at three of the smaller seaside villages. In subsequent posts I will look at the mountain villages, The larger towns will be covered in individual posts.

Staring on the southeast side, the first town is Posidonio, a working fishing village at the very southeast tip of the island close to Turkey. We have gone to a great restaurant run by Mari on a number of occasions before going swimming at nearby Sidharas. You can see the restaurant and the view from our tables below. Among other things, we feel it has the best fried calamari on the island. Below is Mari holding some of her calamari. It was the subject of a painting. There is also feta and tomato casserole, fried eggplant, and stuffed tomatoes. Like many places desert is complementary. Below you see a fresh fruit selection.

     

         

I did a paiting of one Mari's Greek salads. Here is the salad and the painting. I also did a number of paintings based on the local produce. They are shown in the last post in this series, along with the produce that is portrayed. 

 

Ireo is located on the south coast about midpoint on the island. There are a number of excellent restaurants along the waterfront. Below is a typical meal of grilled peppers, fried eggplant, Greek salad, grilled fish, grilled lamb chops, and a complementary sweet. 

             

Here is another waterfront Ireo dinner at a diiferent place on a moon lit night. It included grilled selections: shrimp with vegetables and salad, pork with vegetables and fires, and calamari with salad and vegetables. 

     

Located a block inland a fish tavern run my Captain Miltos offered fresh fish and live music in 2013 but it was not open in 2014. We hope the place finds its way back to serving food and music. Here you can see the music and the ice chest with the ctach of the day. You can select your meal from the chest. A few samples are shown along with some fried peppers. 

         

Below is a desert we had one night in Ireo and the painting it inspired. 

 

Another seaside meal at a fourth place included a tomato cheese casserole, fried cod, and nice sweet for the finish.

     

Ormos Koumeika is another working fishing harbor located on the southwest coast. The harbor has a number of restaurants.  We had fried mussels with fries, eggplant spread, and chicken coquettes. 

     

Happy Fourth of July

Here is to a safe and joyous Fourth of July to all who celebrate it. It comes at a time to be one of the great events of the Summer. Here are some scenaes from last year in Jeffersonvolle, VT where I will be tomorrow. 

     

Trip to Fourni, Greece: Day Three

This is my third trip to the Greek island of Samos. This time we took a three day trip to the islands of Fourni. This is the third of three posts on the trip. After the threat of a storm, the next day dawned very calm and the rough sea had transformed itself into a lake. Our innkeeper was up to prepare a breakfast at 6AM to allow us to eat before taking the 7AM boat back to Samos.

       

We headed over to Thymena in the bright sun. During breakfast we had watched to sun climb down the mountain behind the town. Fishermen were out in the harbor.

           

We left Thymena and rounded the rocky coast. There were fields carved out of the rough terrain and marked with stones fences and terraces. Fishermen were everywhere.

         

Next stop was Ikaria. In the bright morning light you could more easily see the upper fields and high villages, terraced olive groves, as well as small isolated shores.

           

Now headed back to Samos. It now seemed quite large compared to the Fourni group. Its rocky coast welcomed us and we arrived in Karlovasi harbor around 11. 

         

Trip to Fourni, Greece: Day Two

This is my third trip to the Greek island of Samos. This time we took a three day trip to the islands of Fourni. This is the second of three posts on the trip. I woke up briefly around 4AM to see the big boat that goes to Athens making its brief stop in Fourni. Then day dawned with clouds over the mountain tops but they soon burned off. Our little boat back to Samos rested in Fourni harbor, as the crew must live here. Fisherman prepared for the day. Many had already gone out to return around 10.

           

After breakfast on the harbor front, we went up a long fight of steps to start a walk along the coast to a sand beach. Another long flight of steps went back down to the beach. There was a old round tower, likely form the pirate days, as well as a small shire. The water was incredibly clear. On our way back we went through a boat yard were many small ships were under repair.

                 

After lunch of left over on our balcony we took a long walk through town. Starting on the main street we went up through the town square. We passed a man grilling chicken and decided to perhaps have dinner with him.

           

Our walk continued past the town square on a long winding road that rose gently up the hill. There were flowers everywhere.

         

In the late afternoon a mild rain strom came up with strom winds. There was concern as to whether our small boat would sail to samos in th emorning and the ticket agent would not sell us tickets but said to come back at 6:30 the next morning. Fisherman prepared their boats for the possible strom. 

       

The night was cool and breezy with a light rain so we decided to eat inland and indoors with the grill man we saw earlier. We had both chicken and pork from the grill with fried potatoes. The potatoes on the Greek island are the best I have had anywhere. Restaurants also offer a complementary sweet after meals. This time we had bananas with halvah. Afterwards, we walked back through the main street to our harbor front room. 

         

Trip to Fourni, Greece: Day One

This is my third trip to the Greek island of Samos. This time we took a three day trip to the islands of Fourni. This is the first of three posts on the trip. We took the small boat from Karlovasi on Samos island in the early afternoon. The ticket agent said the trip would take three hour but it took over four. This is not to complain as we stopped at three other interesting ports before getting to the main town in the Fourni Islands. After leaving Karlovasi harbor we travelled along the very wild west coast of Samos, including Micro Santini beach seen first after the harbor. We took the 45 minute walk to this beach last year.

   

   

Our first stop was Agios Kyrikos on Ikaria, an island known for its lack of any police or stoplights and its free spirit. The smaller town of Therma, with a swimming beach, appears before Agios Kyrikos.

         

Then we went over to Kampi Chrisonilias, a small fishing village on the north end of the main island in the Fourni group. The houses were mostly resting high above the small port.

       

Next stop was another fishing village on Thymena, the island opposite Fourni Korseon, the main town on the island and our destination.  This time most houses were near the harbor.

             

We arrived in Fourni Korseon as the sun was setting behind Thymena. The town gets its name from its past as the headquarters of the pirates, the French Corsairs. Their name got applied to all pirates in the eastern Aegean. Above Fourni is Mt. Vardia at 311 meters, the tallest spot on the island. The main street runs perpendicular to the harbor and there is a small square part way back. On our first night we had the lobster pasta, the dish for which the town is famous, right on the harbor. You can see the view from our table below. The large portion came with two whole lobsters surrounded in pasta with a light tomato sauce.  It was wonderful and we saved some for lunch the next day. You can also see the cook below. 

              

Painting of a Greek Church, Samos Island

Here is a 9" x 12" acrylic painting of a church on the Greek isalnd of Samos. This is my third trip here as a friend has a home that I can stay in and the island is a very relaxing place to enjoy the sun, food, and paint. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants,  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe and Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown. Here is a post describing the showing at Riccobon's. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown is located at 615 S Carrollton Ave (504-866-5900). You can also contact me to see more of them. 

Painting of Ireo Harbor Mid-day - Samos Island, Greece

Here is a 9" x 12" acrylic painting of a building in the harbor of Ireo, a seaside village on the Greek isalnd of Samos. This is my third trip here as a friend has a home that I can stay in and the island is a very relaxing place to enjoy the sun, food, and paint. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants,  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe and Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown. Here is a post describing the showing at Riccobon's. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown is located at 615 S Carrollton Ave (504-866-5900). You can also contact me to see more of them. 

Painting of Mytilini, Samos Island, Greece

Here is a 9" x 12" acrylic painting of a homes and a street in Mytilini, a mountian village on the Greek isalnd of Samos. This is my third trip here as a friend has a home that I can stay in and the island is a very relaxing place to enjoy the sun, food, and paint. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants,  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe and Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown. Here is a post describing the showing at Riccobon's. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown is located at 615 S Carrollton Ave (504-866-5900). You can also contact me to see more of them. 

Painting of Coastal Road on Greek Island

Here is a 16" x 20" acrylic paintings of a road winding along the coast on the Greek island of Samos. It is from a photo I took while in Samos this past summer. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants, Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown and Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the Riccobono showing. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. I will be writing about the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen show soon. It is located at 615 Carrolton Ave. (504) 866-5900. This painting is at the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen.

Painting of Sunset Mytilini Samos Greece #3

Here is the third in a three part series showing the changes in perpective as i walked down a road in this mountain village on the Greek island of Samos. It is a 16" x 20" acrylic painting. The series is from photos I took while in Samos this past summer. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants, Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown and Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the Riccobono showing. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. I will be writing about the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen show soon. It is located at 615 Carrolton Ave. (504) 866-5900. 

Painting of Sunset Mytilini Samos Greece #2

Here is the second in a three part series showing the changes in perpective as i walked down a road in this mountain village on the Greek island of Samos. It is a 16" x 20" acrylic painting. The series is from photos I took while in Samos this past summer. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants, Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown and Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the Riccobono showing. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. I will be writing about the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen show soon. It is located at 615 Carrolton Ave. (504) 866-5900. 

Painting of Sunset Mytilini Samos Greece #1

Here is the first in a three part series showing the changes in perpective as i walked down a road in this mountain village on the Greek island of Samos. It is a 16" x 20" acrylic painting. The series is from photos I took while in Samos this past summer. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants, Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown and Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the Riccobono showing. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. I will be writing about the Louisiana Pizza Kitchen show soon. It is located at 615 Carrolton Ave. (504) 866-5900. 

Painting of Beach and Cliffs - Eastern Shore Samos Greece

Here is a 16" x 20" acrylic paintings of a beach on the east coast on the Greek island of Samos. It is from a photo I took while in Samos this past summer. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is the music club with great food, Buffa's. It is open 24/7 and is located at 1001 Esplanade Ave. (504) 949-0038.  Hera is a post on the opening: My Paintings Are Up at Buffa's Backroom. The other is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. 

 

Painting of Pythagora Castle - Samos Greece

Here is a 16" x 20" acrylic paintings of the view from Pythagora beach on the south coast on the Greek island of Samos. In the forground is an old castle on the edge of town. In the background is Turkey, only a mile from samos. It is from a photo I took while in Samos this past summer. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is the music club with great food, Buffa's. It is open 24/7 and is located at 1001 Esplanade Ave. (504) 949-0038.  Hera is a post on the opening: My Paintings Are Up at Buffa's Backroom. The other is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. 

Painting of Sunset - Samos Greece

Here is a 16" x 20" acrylic paintings of sunset from the south coast on the Greek island of Samos. It is from a photo I took while in Samos this past summer. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is the music club with great food, Buffa's. It is open 24/7 and is located at 1001 Esplanade Ave. (504) 949-0038.  Hera is a post on the opening: My Paintings Are Up at Buffa's Backroom. The other is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. 

Painting of a Greek Olive Groove - Samos

Here is a 16" x 20" acrylic paintings of a road winding through an olive groove on the Greek island of Samos. It is from a photo I took while in Samos this past summer. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is the music club with great food, Buffa's. It is open 24/7 and is located at 1001 Esplanade Ave. (504) 949-0038.  Hera is a post on the opening: My Paintings Are Up at Buffa's Backroom. The other is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. 

 

Painting of Greek Lemons

Here is a 24" x 24" acrylic paintings of some Greek lemons. It is from a photo I took while in Samos this past summer. 

The best way to easily see most of my paintings for sales is to go to my Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/bill.ives2 - and look at Photos and albums within Photos. I have three photo albums covering my art. One is for discounted pairings under $100.  The other is for most of the rest (over $100). The third is for paintings that I have either sold or ones that are not for sale. However, if anyone is interested in them I will paint another version for them on commission. I will ship anywhere and have shipped art works as far as Australia.

In New Orleans there are currently paintings hanging at two of my favorite New Orleans restaurants. One is the music club with great food, Buffa's. It is open 24/7 and is located at 1001 Esplanade Ave. (504) 949-0038.  Hera is a post on the opening: My Paintings Are Up at Buffa's Backroom. The other is  Riccobono's Panola Street Cafe. Here is a post describing the showing. It is located at 7801 Panola Street (504 314-1810). You can also contact me to see more of them. 

 

BBQ tour of the US South - Part Five

Here is the fifth installment of our BBQ tour of the US South. This road trip includes three BBQ stops and another honorable mention. This post picks up with samples from Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi The first one covered Louisiana and Texas. The second post covered Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The third covered North Carolina and eastern Virginia. The fourth part covered western Virginia, Alabama, and Georgia (by way of Vermont). This is a very unscientific sampling taken from doing a search on the likely places we might stop for a meal. We consulted the Southern BBQ Trail and Our State Magazine (NC), as well as doing simple searches.

Bob Sykes started his first BBQ in Birmingham in 1957 and then moved to Bessemer, Alabama in 1968. The food had been recommended by some people we met in New Orleans, so we made it a destination. The present Bessemer location was started in 1977 by his wife, and their son Van later took over. They had some of the largest ribs I have ever eaten and they were quite tasty also. The smoking grill is located right in the center of the place and “nothing has changed in over fifty years in the way we prepare and cook our famous barbeque and special sauce.“ It is located at 1724 9th Ave N, Bessemer, AL 35020 (205) 426-1400.

         

In Greer South Carolina, my cousins get together every year. We often get BBQ at Mutts for one night and this happen again this year. As the Web site states, “The idea for Mutt's BBQ stemmed from a long family tradition in Randy Jones' family. His grandfather, on special occasions, especially Christmas, dug an open pit, cut hickory wood, made his special sauce, and presented his family with a whole pig, prepared to perfection. Years later, his son Mutt, desiring to pass along the tradition to his sons, began having “pig pickings” every Thanksgiving.” Randy, Mutts’ son, opened Mutts in 1998 using grandfather’s methods. We had a number of people to feed so we got ribs, pulled pork, fired okra, beans, cole slaw, sweet potato crunch, hash & rice, hush puppies and green beans.  It was all good. There is a model train that runs around the top of the restaurant and a lot of railroad stuff on display. It is located at 101 S-23-305, Greer, SC 29650 (864) 848-3999.  

 

Squealer's Hickory Smoked Bar-B-Que is not as old as Bob Sykes as it has been in Meridian, Mississippi since 1998 (same as Mutts in Greer). This was our first try at BBQ in Mississippi and it did not disappoint. They offered free pork skins as a starter. Then we had some very bready but still good onion rings. The main event was their Sampler (1/4# Pulled pork, 1/4 Chicken, 1/4# Brisket, 3 wings, 2 rib bones, your choice of 2 side fixins and 2 slices white bread). We had their excellent fried okra and cole slaw as the sides. This was a lot of food, even for two people as you can see. Then we got carried away and took some ribs and brisket as a take out for later. They write: “believe that Bar-B-Que is a style of cooking.  The sauce should not take away from the flavor of our meat.  Our sauces only enhance the flavor you taste in our smoked meat.”  I could not agree more and often do not put on any sauce to get the full taste of the meat. They are located at 4805 29th Ave (601-483-2727 or 601-693-0910).

 

 

Post Script: We tried to find Cue in a small Georia town with two places. However, one was closed for good and the other was closed on Monday. We went to a Colenel Sanders as an alternatve. We were pelased that the lcoal people had set up their own all you can eat buffet with locally cooked food. I am not mentioning the town in case corporate does not endorse this move but we loved it. Here is a sample plate. In addtioin to the fired chicken, there were scalloped potatoes, corn, fried okra, biscuits, mac and cheese, peach cobbler, choclate pudding and much more. 

Complete Listing of My Posts from Samos Island, Greece

I am just back from spending some time in Mytilini, a mountian village on the island of Samos, Greece. Samos is located a mile off the Turkish coast. This is the second time I have spent over four weeks there. I have a friend who has house in Mytilini and I feel fortunate to be able to live in a real house rather than tourist accommodations.  Samos is an island that Americans seem to ignore unless they have relatives here. Most visitors are from Northern Europe and they gather in the seaside towns and resorts. Mytilini is a mountian village and tends to mostly bring in visitors who are seeing family.

I did a number of posts on our expereinces, as well as the paintings I did there. Below is a listing of these posts. I am doing a few more and will add them as they are puvblished. 

Experiences:

Exploring Samos Greece with Samos Outdoors: Paleo Karlovasi and Potami

Enjoying Samiopoula Island, Greece with Captain Vasilis Kappos

Exploring the South Central Samos Island, Greece

Exploring Samos Mountain Villages and Woods with Samos Outdoors

Exploring the Central Samos Mountains with Samos Outdoors

Many Views of Mytilini, Samos Island: Part One

Many Views of Mytilini, Samos Island: Part Two

Many Views of Mytilini, Samos Island: Part Three

The Shutters and Doors of Mytilini Samos Island, Greece

Paintings:

Painting of a Boat, Pythagora, Samos Greece

Painting of Sea, Mountains, and Cliffs, Samos Greece

Painting of a Boat, Ormos, Samos Greece

Painting of a Greek Salad, Samos

Painting of Sea Cliffs, Samos Greece

Painting of Church, Mytilini, Samos, Greece

Painting of Road and Olive Grove, Samos Island, Greece

 

 

Many Views of Mytilini, Samos Island: Part Three

This is part three of three part series on Mytilini, a mountian village in the island of Samos, Greece. Samos is located a mile off the Turkish coast. This is the second time I have spent over four weeks there. Samos is an island that Americans seem to ignore unless they have relatives here. Most visitors are from Northern Europe and they gather in the seaside towns and resorts. Mytilini is a mountian village and tends to mostly bring in visitors who are seeing family. The first post covered some background on the village and you can get more context for these images there. Below you can see twenty one images that we saw on the many walks we took around town. 

                                 
   














 

Many Views of Mytilini, Samos Island: Part Two

This is part two of three part series on Mytilini, a mountian village in the island of Samos, Greece. Samos is located a mile off the Turkish coast. This is the second time I have spent over four weeks there. Samos is an island that Americans seem to ignore unless they have relatives here. Most visitors are from Northern Europe and they gather in the seaside towns and resorts. Mytilini is a mountian village and tends to mostly bring in visitors who are seeing family. The first post covers some background on the village and you can get more context for the pictures there. Below you can see twenty images that we saw on the many walks we took around town.