Date night

I think I have mentioned the clever McMenniman brothers before, who have been buying up vintage buildings and turning them into whimsical, terrifically successful brew-pubs.  One of their enterprises is the old Bagdhad Theatre, a relic of the 30s which had fallen on hard times.  They cleaned it up, respected the bones, built a pub in the front and run the theatre in the back.  I wanted to see the movie, Hugo, but we never got around to it when it was t the cineplexes.  Yesterday, I noticed that it was playing at the Bagdhad, so DH and I had a saturday night movie date.  thetheatre is set up with couches and armchairs in the balcony, with narrow tables in front of them, so you have someplace to set your beer and pub-grub.  Three dollars to see a second-run movie on the big screen with all the comforts of home.  DH had the original burger - quite tasty, with fries made from real potatoes - not those mashed, rehashed approximations that the burger stands sell.  I had a meal called the 3 faces of Eve.  Pita bread served with humus, a walnut/pomegranate compote, and a yogurt and feta dip, with pickled veggies and olives as well.  It was delicious, filling, healthy, cheap, and went perfectly with pitcher of their Ruby beer.

All the McMennamin pubs have fanciful murals on the walls, but the Bagdhad theme seemed especially appropriate for this approach.  I wanted to get a shot of the multi-color border stenciled in the ladies' room, but it was too crowded to stand far enough away from the wall.  (Small room, many moms with kids.)

I have developed a yearning to visit every one of the far-flung McMennamin's empire.  Today, DH and I stopped at the convention center and picked up a fistful of brochures to send friends who will be visiting in Sept. to help them decide what to do.  I picked up a pamphlet with all the brewpubs listed and described.  This is a feat which might, in fact, be achieved.







And here's another hat. Crochet goes so fast!