MFM

They are currently relocating to a new store front, but Kelly will deliver in Scottsdale without a delivery charge. I was staying at a hotel and arranged a next day birthday delivery (for myself!) to the pool at the spa!

I chose chocolate fudge brownie cupcakes with mocha buttercream topped with bacon toffee. They were almost (but not) too sweet. The crunchy sweet smokiness of the bacon in the toffee was a perfect compliment.

My friend Allen described the sandwiches there as the kind of sandwich you have day dreams about and that you feel sad starting to eat because you know that it is going to be gone too soon.

Last weekend I had my first – a handmade Italian roll that had been lightly spritzed with oil and red wine vinegar then topped with thinly sliced sopressata, fresh mozzarella, paper thin tomatoes and cucumber, chiffonade of basil and a sprinkle of salt, pepper and grated parmesan cheese. We split it 3 ways.

I was sad before it was over and in the car headed to High Street for another almost as soon as the last bite was gone.

The museum was cool – lots of old cars, gleaming and displayed with clothing and posters from their eras. We had our final dinner there which was decent. The food was all locally sourced including the herbs and onions that were grown on the roof of our hotel (the Hyatt).

The speeches were too long (as usual). I’m glad they recognized the volunteers but there was too much talking (and we never got coffee).

Every day this week I have taken a seat on the balcony of the mezzanine level of the hotel to sit and read or make a phone call. My view out the glassed wall of the atrium is of the gold dome of the Bank Building and the white tower of the Electric Building along with the exterior entrance (now incorporated inside the lobby) of the old Genessee Building.

Cons: WiFi in rooms extremely weak, no fridge or safe in room, parking in lot across street and not included with room, area around hotel has no businesses

Pros: service is excellent – all staff very friendly, breakfast included with room is best buffet I’ve ever seen for breakfast – there are even macadamia nuts every morning, parking is cheap (even if it isn’t free), downtown location right on free overground train, central location is wonderful for walking around city.

I took the (free) train from Fountain to Church and walked to the Ellicott Square Building to get a take out beef on kimmelweck roll. They hand carved the sandwich, dipped the roll in jus and gave me some fresh horseradish and a pickle on the side. They also had a daily special of roast pork with chili sauce on the side so I took one of those as well (we were sharing!).

Hot and delicious.

Did you know that Frank Lloyd Wright even designed mausoleums? Well – he designed this one for the Martin Family. Darwin Martin died in 1935 and is buried elsewhere in Forest Lawn. In 2004 this mausoleum was finally built. Burial plots are currently for sale.

The museum is open late (until 10PM) and FREE on Fridays. A group of us headed over there after a day of tours and happily wandered the galleries. We had a late bite to eat at Muse. They were a little sketchy on service because there was a very large (probably 30 plus people) party that was taking all the servers attentions.

We shared some beet hummus with charred bread and then 2 people ordered the salade compose (looked good). 1 other had cavatappi with mushrooms and sherry cream sauce (it was ok) and I had chorizo stuffed dated wrapped in bacon served on a smoky tomato sauce (pretty decent).

When I paid for parking with a 20, the machine gave me my change in dollar coins.

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1921 and built later in the 20s, this house high on a cliff on the shores of Lake Erie is being restored by the Greycliff Conservancy. Today we visited and even in the rain could see how light and airy and comfortable this house was and how beautiful it will be once the restoration is finished. They gave is tea in a tent near the house and we had a great tour.

Completed in 1901 and designed by Green and Wicks the steps leading in have the words “Steps to Success” spelled out in brass letters. A beautiful classical building. Inside the ceilings are painted and there are some great murals.

Tonight the conference I am at had their opening reception there under the dome – off to a great start.

Only ok but that could have been because I had too many pieces of shrimp toast at the reception earier. 3 of us shared some pasta with white chocolate and basil sauce (too SWEET) and a very dry pecan crusted chicken breast with aspasagus and decent sweet potato fries.

We also shared 2 desserts which were both on brownie bases – 1 was chocolate mousse with peanus and pieces of Snickers bar (very rich) and the other was combo raspberry and chocolate mousse (lighter but I’m not crazy about fruit mousse). Presentation was beautiful with whipped cream, strawberries, a cream puff, chocolate shavings and a chocolate straw.

The people at the table next to us ordered a megatini – about 6 drinks and $60 worth of vodka AND each had an ice cream sundae.