By SCOTT CHERRY Restaurant Critic on Apr 3, 2012, at 10:33 AM Updated on 4/03 at 10:33 AM
TABLE TALK
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Chef-proprietor Justin Thompson has scheduled a benefit opening 6-10 p.m. Thursday for his new Tavolo Italian Bistro, 427 ...
Hope Egan, owner of Hope’s Table catering, said Thursday she plans to open a new restaurant called Tallgrass in downtown ...
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My wife and I recently spent a few days in Eureka Springs, Ark., where we were married 25 years ago, and on the advice of our innkeeper, Sam Feldman of Bridgeford House Bed and Breakfast, made dinner reservations at the Grande Taverne.
Grand Taverne is located in the old, stately Grand Central Hotel in downtown Eureka. Sam said she always found the food superb and the Saturday night entertainment exceptional.
She was correct on both counts. This was one of those "Do You Believe in Magic?" evenings that comes unexpectedly and not often.
The food, under the direction of chef Dave Gilderson, was exquisite. We had pan-seared scallops with lobster butter sauce and potato risotto, and red lentil-encrusted walleye with chive butter sauce and wild rice. A couple of nice wines put this dinner over the top.
On weekends the Grand Taverne sets up tables in the hotel lobby around a baby grand piano, and the current regular Saturday night performer is Jerry Yester, formerly of the '60s group the Lovin' Spoonful.
Yester, who resides near Harrison, Ark., is in his late 60s and still puts on a fabulous show. We have paid for concerts not nearly as good. One of the great things about Yester was he performed a number of songs from the '50s, '60s and '70s that were familiar but have not been played to death on oldies radio. And his piano arrangements were masterful.
Given the occasion for our presence that night, I requested one of my favorite Lovin' Spoonful songs, "Darlin' Be Home Soon." Yester smiled and said, "Ah, finally a request I know."
That song has, in my opinion, one of the best and most romantic lines in modern music, when the singer wants his darlin' to be home soon "for the great relief of having you to talk to."
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