Yes, it's time for my favorite moppet, out for a whirl this weekend. Top, the guest of honor with mom Emily at Element Friday night. (She's always the guest of honor.) Middle, her first visit to Powell Symphony Hall with daddy Brian (that's grandpa's girl - I didn't get to Carnegie Hall until I was, I think, 12 or 13) for this weekend's performance by Circus Flora with the St. Louis Symphony. Bottom, first face-to-face encounter with Santa at a church Christmas pageant. Getting pretty worn out by that point. Second and third pictures by Emily, iPhone and Canon 5D Mark II, respectively.
The child does not lack for stimulation.
In this country, at least, professional chefs own their personal set of premium knives. My son-in-law, who is executive chef for St. Louis University's arena and athletic facilities, has for years. He is not so extreme, though, as to have them tattooed on his forearm.
Element has an open kitchen, a popular design these days, and we were seated right in front of it Friday night. The people doing the cooking were precise, very organized and obviously enjoyed their work and one another. They had a great air of competence. It certainly showed on the plates put before us.
Late post today since I literally fell asleep over my laptop last night. The family went out to dinner at Element, a newish restaurant, located between Lafayette Square and Soulard in an old industrial building. We thought it was terrific. The people were delightful, the menu inventive and the wine list of modest size but high in quality and value. We will go back. More about the place tomorrow.
