Diner, Mr. Rain's Fun House and assorted other topics
Meanrandy -- love that user name -- just sent me an e-mail about my Table Talk today, pointing out that Hilltop Diner was the inspiration for the movie Diner, not the Bel-Loc.
I think he's right; but luckily I had an out, I was quoting Southern Living. And I think even the magazine has an out; it called the Bel-Loc "one of the inspirations." ...
In other Table Talk news, I discuss Mr. Rain's Fun House. Its Web site has suddenly gotten more serious: The phrase "iconoclasic cuisine," if I'm remembering it correctly, has disappeared. I wonder if the museum suggested the change. I also found out more about the cafe/coffee house/wine bar that will replace Freda's Kitchen in Mount Washington.
As for Top 10 Wednesday, last week's restaurant pig-outs, it caused quite a stir. Ale Mary's owner called me to thank me for including his Saints and Sinner sandwich. But someone at the gym today stopped me and asked me why I never did a Top 10 of healthy dishes. (Because no one would read it?) They did get quite a few comments in the print edition this time.
(Barbara Haddock Taylor/Sun photographer)
Comments
Could 10 people agree on what healthy would mean?
Posted by: Lissa | November 11, 2009 6:57 PM
I meant to write to you about the Bel Loc Diner thing, although I can read well enough that I saw it as Southern Living's mistake, not yours.
Bel Loc would have been a perfectly adequate diner for the job except that it's in the wrong neighborhood. The Diner guys were pretty much all from the west side.
Posted by: Hal Laurent | November 11, 2009 6:59 PM
Freda's Kitchen is closed. I kept on meaning to get over there. It's only two minutes away, but for whatever reason I never went. For that matter, I always wanted but never did get over to the prior occupant, the old Mt. Washington Deli, to try their crabcakes that I always heard good things about.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | November 11, 2009 7:23 PM
Freda's Kitchen had decent food, but when I paid $10 for a sandwich and a pickle I knew it would never last. The sandwich (witness protection as they called it) was good, but the place was way over-priced.
Posted by: terpfan | November 11, 2009 7:35 PM
agree with terpfan. way pricey for an area where you can go to a half a dozen bars or sub shops, but nice concept and different.
speaking of which, The Tavern just seems to keep going and their food is mostly meh and overpriced, their walls haven't been scrubbed since the beginning of time and their bathroom is appalling. Why all the love they get?
Posted by: Joyce W. | November 11, 2009 8:07 PM
http://www.kilduffs.com/Diners.html
The above site is a trip down memory lane for us youngsters over 60.
Posted by: jack Ziegler | November 11, 2009 9:55 PM
Thanks, Jack, for the fun trip down Memory Lane.
Posted by: Dottie | November 11, 2009 11:15 PM
Comment of the week has gotta' be Jack Ziegler's illustrated look at the diners of the past. Gotta' hand it to anyone who would name their eatery the Gross Diner (backed by the reassuring comment, 'Open All Year.')
Posted by: Michael A. Gray | November 12, 2009 7:57 AM
Seeing the photo brought back fond memories of that great view from the restaurant at AVAM, BEFORE the still-quite-empty Ritz Carlton residences were built...
Posted by: David | November 12, 2009 11:01 AM
Good to see some Filipino food on Mr. Rain's menu (lumpia and Adobo ribs)....now, if they would only serve pancit, life would be good
Posted by: Balteater | November 12, 2009 8:46 PM