The New Genoa

Genoa is back! As you all know Genoa closed down last year after 30+ years. They were closed for almost a year, but are now back in business. That said, you would not recognize the place if you were a customer in the old days. There is a new bistro/bar area that serves lighter fare on the left side of the building that is brand new. The inside has been completely redecorated, adding a fireplace and a nice private dinning room. The kitchen has been updated and looks shiny and new. All the waitstaff and the host are also new. What has not changed is the great service and the great food.

The old Genoa was a seven course set meal with three entree choices for $75. They have reduced that to five courses for $55 and you now have a pasta choice as well as three entree choices. We were offered salmon, quail and beef tenderloin and we went with the latter two. Both were amazing. But I get ahead of myself. We started with Bagna Cauda, our favorite antipasto and a Genoa classic, a fondue of cream, anchovies and garlic served hot with crisp seasonal vegetables and house made bread sticks for dipping. For pasta we had Agnolotti alla Piemontese, small pasta envelopes stuffed with a mixture of beef, chicken, pork and escarole served in a rich meat broth with shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. The salad was Insalata de Patate e Tartufi, a salad of sliced Yukon gold potatoes and mâche, tossed with shallots, red wine vinegar, black truffles and extra virgin olive oil. It was the simplest, but best tasting course we had. The desert choices were amazing, my favorite was the pistachio and blood oranges.

We had a very nice bottle of wine, that was reasonably priced, but I was a little sad to see they have changed their focus to concentrate more on Italian choices and much fewer Oregon wines. They also have a full bar.

Everything about the new place was wonderful and I hope they have a good long run. I am looking forward to this being a special place for us again.

Hours: 5:30PM - 9:30PM; Tuesday - Saturday

Genoa

2832 SE Belmont St.

Portland, OR 97214

(503) 238-1464

info@genoarestaurant.com

Christmas Party

The Christmas party was a little sad this year. Instead of a big lavish party, with spouses and clients, it was an agency only party. We all got together at 2 PM in the atrium and got $10 each. Then we all went out and bought the best gift we could find for the money. About an hour later everyone got back and put the presents under the tree. Then the white elephant exchange commenced. It was fun to watch folks stealing the good stuff and getting stuck with the crap. Things picked up after that as the party continued over at the Crystal Ballroom.

Christmas Cookies

Jesse's mom just sent him a two dozen individually wrapped Christmas cookies. She put them back to back, then wrapped them in cling foil so they would not smear. I am here to tell you they are some of the best tasting cookies I have ever tasted.

Heisman Trophy

I have to say I think it is a crime when the winningest quarterback in NCAA Division 1 history does not win the Heisman Trophy. That said, I can only hope this plays out as it did on 2005 when Vince Young was outvoted by Reggie Bush and then blew the Trojans away in the championship game. Clearly winning your league championship game by a big margin is more important than an amazing season or career. If I had my way they would hold the vote until after all the bowl games were done.

OK, so do the Longhorns have the Tide right where they want them? Now that all the Heisman pressure is off, Colt can relax and play a great game, while Ingram is worn out from all his travelling and talk shows. Another interesting piece of history - Texas is 7-0-1 against Alabama. they have beaten them in every bowl game they have played and every time Alabama was the favorite.

Unfortunately history does not win games, great offensive and defensive linemen do, so we are still in a little trouble.

Funny People

Judd Apatow and Adam Sandler, this could be the perfect combination or too much good stuff. Luckily, Sandler seems to have come to the show as an actor who was ready to embrace the close to home role.

Sandler plays the very successful and self-involved stand-up comedian George Simmons who learns that he has an incurable blood disorder and is given less than a year to live. One night he catches Ira Wright's (Seth Rogen - a struggling up-and-coming stand-up comedian) show and decides to hire him as a personal assistant and opening act. George and Ira form a close bond as George helps Ira with his act and Ira helps George deal with the fact that he is dying. Here is where the plot takes a big twist, George finds out he is going to live. This inspires him to get back with an old flame (Leslie Mann) and re-evaluate his empty life.

While Sandler's character is the center of the story, it is the supporting characters, played by Seth Rogin, Jonah Hill and Jason Schwatzman that keep the movie fresh and interesting. As up and comers in the Hollywood world, they are more mature douche bags than we have seen in previous Apatow flicks, but basically still the same guys. Their interaction with Sandler as the star they all want to be seems very believable and makes this movie work. There are also several cameos that are priceless, the best being a rant from Eminem when he goes off on Ray Romano for looking at him at a party.

Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is the last great record the Smashing Pumpkins made and it is a major piece of work, lasting over two hours and 28 songs. Most would give the nod to their second record Siamese Dream, but one song "1979" puts MCIS over the top. This is easily one of the greatest, if not the greatest, pop song ever made. So don't wimp out and buy the greatest hits record. Do yourself a favor and pick up both Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and Siamese Dream.

Santa visits W+K

Santa came to Wieden+Kennedy today, but unfortunately everyone has been bad, so he took a few pictures with the kids and left. No love.