Saturday morning brunch with the girls. This is a sentence that brings a delighted smile to the faces of women everywhere. A lazy morning spent with coffee, mimosas, and conversation with old and new friends, often friends that you simply haven't seen for a while because everyone is too damn busy. For women in St. Louis, there is no better back drop for these sacred moments than Cafe Ventana. They call themselves "A Bohemian Bistro with a French Quarter Feel," with antique gas chandeliers, french doors, and a cobblestone alleyway. I have to say, I have never been to New Orleans, but from what I've seen in pictures, the description seems to be accurate. Inside the brick loft stlye building is cozy seating and a fireplace. Even the bathrooms are beautiful. A jazz band was playing, which I thought was unusual, but very much appreciated, on a Saturday morning. Jazzbands are typically cocktail hour fare. As far as the architecture of the building, it is apparently modeled after some guy name Brett Hutt, and his "Retronomic Development". What I read online is this: "Retronomic Development is the phased restoration of a community's architecturally historic commercial corridor using mulit-repurposing and appropriate green building infill". What I take that to mean is: swooping down on cities that are going to hell, refurbishing their buildings, and staying true to being green. I'm not sure why they couldn't have used more simple terminology, but whatever, there it is.
But let's talk about the food. The food is DIVINE. Word on the street is that their coffee is wonderful; I did not partake, as I had already had 3 cups by my arrival. However, I will say that I'm inclined to believe public opinion, on this matter at least, as I know they have someone who roasts their coffee in small batches twice a week. They have Bloody Marys, Mimosas, and Bellinis, and Mimosas are $4 til 2pm on Saturdays. Yea!!! The menu features tasty items like Beignets--French donuts, and some are filled with Columbian Chocolate, yum. . . --Smoked Salmon Brie Souffle, and Egg Panninis. I had the Capri Pannini: egg, tomato, mozzerella, and pesto on rosemary and olive oil bread. It was delicious, and they did not skimp on the egg. I had problems deciding what to get, finding myself wavering between the Capri pannini, the portabella mushroom pannini, or the bagel with smoked salmon, cream cheese, onions, and capers. When I've tried the other items, I will report back.
Other than work on my writing, watch some movies, and attend a housewarming party, that was all I did this weekend, and I was fine with that. I wasn't in the mood to wander the city alone, although the part that we were in has some beautiful architecture. I was perfectly fine with spending three idle hours in the shade talking about guys, politics, and bad drivers. Especially as I grow older, I love to steal away to spend time with women and do really nothing at all. It's refreshing.
The top right picture is where we were sitting on the patio. Isn't it beautiful?
I will attempt to do something more exciting next weekend. I'm going to try to get Brenden out on more of my excursions. He hates the city, so my next goal is to force him to love it. Should be interesting!
Oh, and the website:
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