BOOK OF THE WEEK
All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley
In a time of family illness and subsequent loss, Patrick Bringley found a job and solace in a place he first visited as a child with his mother. Mired in grief over his older brother’s death and only 26, he began working as a guard at the Metropolitan Museum. He loved the quiet, almost uninterrupted, stretches of time it provided, and he took in the art in a studied way.
His book is both an account of the inner workings of the museum’s security force: the various gallery assignments and the rotations that happen in each workday, and a portrait of some of his fellow guards and the friendships he made. He also provides detailed discussions of some of the paintings, sculptures, and objects he particularly likes or was struck by. Some of these works are illustrated by delicate black and white sketches.
Bringley was a museum guard for ten years. During that time, the reader experiences his growing maturity, his marrying and becoming a father, and when he reaches the point he felt ready to leave the Met’s cloistered world.
Having read this, I doubt I will ever view museum guards the same way, and I will appreciate the Metropolitan a bit differently on my next visit. I would recommend this to art lovers in general, but particularly to anyone who already has some familiarity with this museum. Thanks to my friend Gale for sharing it. (~JWFarrington)
EATING OUT—BRADENTON-SARASOTA FAVORITES
As I get ready to leave Florida, I thought I’d share a list of some of the restaurants the Chief Penguin (my favorite dining companion) and I have enjoyed over our years here.
BRADENTON & CORTEZ
Bonefish Grill—close by at 75th Street, a chain restaurant, but consistently very good! We love the sinful Bang Bang Shrimp and I, their shrimp and scallop combo with two sides.
Chateau 13—in our opinion the best fine dining restaurant and the most sophisticated in the greater Sarasota-Bradenton area! Small plates as well as full-size entrees. I loved the stuffed piquillo peppers and the French salad. Menu changes seasonally.
Cremesh—Over in restaurant row on Manatee by Publix and Staples, this Austro-German restaurant serves delicious hearty fare. Think schnitzels, beef goulash over noodles or mashed potatoes, or a salmon picatta. Simple décor and friendly wait staff.
Cortez Kitchen—One of the first casual places we tried here. It was the essence of funky with its mix of snowbirds, tourists, and regulars plus live music on the weekends. The food was good, not superb; we liked the coconut shrimp and the mahi sandwich. Cindy with striped hair was our favorite regular waitress. Now Cortez Kitchen has been taken over by the Swordfish Grill owners and gussied up.
New tables and chairs, including some of those awful high tables, but an enlarged seating area and more protection from the elements. The humorous signs are gone (“If you’re here to forget, please pay first” and “Time spent drinking beer is not deducted from your lifespan”), but we had lunch there recently and were delightfully surprised. My mahi sandwich was truly excellent, the Caesar salad very good, and the C.P.’s Cuban sandwich a treat. Worth visiting!
Clam Factory—a roadhouse on Cortez Road serving delectable fried fish, a mean meatloaf special, and, if you’re a fan, fried clams, of course! Additional seating outside.
Mean Deans—The name is misleading. This is a casual place, but the food is better and more interesting than you might expect. Good salads, lovely swordfish, and nightly specials. Watch for New England or New Orleans weeks with an appealing mix of land and sea options.
Modern Chop—Next to Blake Hospital this steak house also serves fish. It’s a step up from Mean Deans in décor and ambiance and is good.
Pesto—Sitting on Cortez Road almost at 86th St. West, this cozy Italian eatery serves generous portions of pasta and meats. Outside seating on a pleasant evening can be a welcome change from inside.
Swordfish Grill—Since they covered their tiki deck, Swordfish is now more appealing in almost any weather. Fish, of course, calamari, salads, and sandwiches; it’s an extensive menu. Food is good, but in my opinion, not outstanding. Go to be at water’s edge!
Tide Tables—A family favorite of ours. Their grouper and mahi sandwiches and baskets are wonderful with cole slaw or baked beans on the side. Very fresh! As a special treat, the homemade key lime pie is luscious! On the water so you can see boats and walk on the short dock.
Thai Palace—One of several restaurants on Cortez Road we like. Small inside, but attractive, and one of their curries always satisfy my Thai yen.
ANNA MARIA & LONGBOAT KEY
Mar Vista—One of a handful of restaurants where you can enjoy a table on the sand. Other options are inside tables or on the partially covered patio. Fresh fish, great salads, and their trademark tater tots!
Whitney’s—Who would have thought a gas station would have a second life as a casual seafood restaurant! Seasonal fare, a bit more elaborate preparations than the usual (fish with rice entrée, for example) and very tasty! No reservations, so go early, especially during the season.
Shore—A date night, special occasion place just down the road from Whitney’s. A big place with lots of seating, some open air, and often a bit noisy. Food options are varied and with some creative twists.
SARASOTA
Beso—One of Sarasota’s newest eateries offering a wide range of tapas. It’s in the Mark complex and looks to have a lively bar scene as well as dining. We’ve eaten here twice and enjoyed the shrimps in olive oil, patatas brava, and other small plates.
Duval’s—A longtime favorite on Main Street. Duval’s serves lunch and dinner and their fish is some of the freshest around. Décor is traditional to slightly dated, wait staff is friendly and competent, and we’ve enjoyed many good meals here. Wide choice of sandwiches and salads for lunch and entrée portions at dinner.
481 Gourmet—Located in the Rosemary District, 481 is a fine dining venue with both indoor and outdoor seating. Their menu includes pasta, scallops, shrimp scampi, duck, lamb, and of course, beef.
The Rosemary and Thyme—A slightly pricier restaurant, The Rosemary shares a patio with 481. Menu options run the gamut from some intriguing appetizers like escargots and a Chimichurri kebab to halibut, grouper, and steak frites entrees.
Pho Cali—Also on Main Street, Pho Cali is the essence of straightforward Vietnamese cooking. Extremely casual serving super noodle dishes and stir fries. Very popular at lunch time. I occasionally crave my favorite, chicken with broccoli stir fry with rice, to which I add a trace of hot pepper.
El Melvin Cocina Mexicana—Hankering for a good margarita and some guacamole and chips, this place is perfect for lunch at a sidewalk table. Follow that with enchiladas, a quesadilla, or even some tamales and you’ll soon be satisfied.
Note: Header photo of courtesy of Toast.
