Thursday, March 8, 2012

A DAY OF HEDONISM

SWMBO and I made our annual trip to Scottsdale today for the 2012 Celebration of Fine Art, a huge show with more than 100 artists displaying their work and demonstrating their techniques under huge white tents.  The show lasts three months and features some of the finest artists in the nation.  Unfortunately photography is not allowed so I can't show you any of the show.  I am happy to say that every one of the artists I spoke with said the show had been good for them.

Many of the artists have been showing here year after year.  One artist we spoke with today was back for his 19th consecutive year.  Apparently they return because sales are good, even in tight times.  It's a great show with many different styles of art.

Then it was time for lunch and we went to one of our favorite restaurants in Phoenix - Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen.
 

The outdoor patio is beautifully designed and features water features and gorgeous spring blossoms.




Inside, lots of dark wood and skylights with a seafood theme.




There is the requisite lobster board above a tank of fresh water.


But getting down to our lunch.  We began with an assortment of six baked oysters.  Unfortunately we scarfed them all down before we remembered the camera so all you get is a photo of the aftermath.


But we did better with the entrees.  Mine was my favorite - blackened catfish with Cajun spices, red beans and rice.


SWMBO couldn't resist the Cajun Combo - blackened catfish and shrimp Creole over Dirty Rice.  She brought a large portion home for her evening dining.


A couple of glasses of wine - Australian Shiraz for her, Argentine Malbec for me - topped off the meal.


A terrific meal after which we paid a visit to a nearby Barnes and Noble bookstore.  Our local store closed at the end of the year so this was a treat.  We picked up a couple of iced Mochas for the road and headed for home.  A little over an hour later we were there.

A good day.

8 comments:

  1. I love Pappadeaux's! It's a bit pricey, really, but great food.

    Don't you hate places where you can't take photos? Grrrrr!

    I was in a museum in Dallas several years back with a then girlfriend. No photos were allowed, but I had my camera. Of course, being a baddy, I took pics regardless when the staff wasn't around.

    Well, needless to say, I messed up. I saw this hugeeeeeeeeee crocidile (stuffed, of course, and there was no barrier to the exhibit. Impulsively, I entered to grab a celeb session with the spared boot provider...when a security alarm went off!

    Let me say this, if the police responded as fast as those security peeps did, nary a bank robber would ever get away with their crimes.

    Subsequently, we looked at the pics. The croc one showed me scrambling out of the exhibit with a look of shock on my face, and it was slightly blurred, indicative of my haste to beat feet. lol

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  2. Oh, JB, you're a bad boy! (heh-heh-heh)

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  3. A three-month long art show? WOW! Bliss. I love Pappadeaux's, too. Their portions are HUGE. Thank gawd for to-go boxes. :)

    The parent company also runs Pappasitas (Mexican), Pappas (fine steaks), PappaMia's (Italian), and I think one more that escapes me. And they're ALL good.

    S

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  4. Scott, I knew there were some others but I didn't know of the variety. Can't wait to find and try them.

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  5. great pictures of a sweet looking place.
    the food shots are a bit of a torture for those of us who'd love to have joined you. delish!!!

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  6. Well it's a given that this seafood restaurant would have great seafood, considering how close the restaurant is to the sea. Wait a minute....

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  7. Amazing Trip !
    This is nice blog and so beautiful deigns . Nice photography ........
    stockfoto

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