Dinner tonight. I made a pork shoulder cooked in milk, a traditional Bolognese recipe found in both Marcella Hazan and Elizabeth David’s cookbooks. Slight differences so I opted for cooking it mostly in a slow oven with lid off. Neither author suggested what to serve it with so I opted to render the milk sauce with sautéed mushrooms, tossed with egg noodles. Fabulous local broad green beans were a tasty addition. Franco approved.
Lake Salon. Last afternoon Angela Park gave a fantastic recital on the 1970 vintage Yamaha concert grand at seven&nine. Donations support Stratford Summer Music. Thanks Angela .
Angela Park in Stratford tomorrow! You may have heard Angela this morning on CBC’ This Is My Music. sunday May 3 you can hear her live. Email [email protected] to reserve your seat.
A few seats left for a special recital on Sunday 3 May 5:00pm. Reserve your free seat at [email protected].
Lake Salon is at @sevenandnine.ca , 9 Cobourg St. Stratford On. Donations of $20 support Stratford Summer Music.
Soft diplomacy. I’m sure it was not a coincidence that the gift by Queen Camilla of Roo to the New York Public Library didn’t have a political subtext. Her husband is the monarch of Australia, home to kangaroos, and Roo’s companion Winnie is named after a Canadian black bear in the London zoo called Winnie after Winnipeg Manitoba, A A Milne’s inspiration for Winnie the Poo. Canada is Also a realm of King Charles. Hopefully no more annexing Canada..
Travelogue: Ottawa. Rideau Canal with love locks, National Art Gallery (Moshe Safdie), Kiweki Point (Patkau with Janet Rosenberg), Chateau Laurier with original doorknobs, art deco pool with copper heat lamps. Murano glass chandelier circa 1974.
Travelogue : Antwerp 2026 - 2
Axel Vervoordt has had a profound impact on art and design. He started in an ancient courtyard in central Antwerp where the tiny Tazu bar is located. Outside of Antwerp at Wignegem along the Albert canal is Kanaal, Vervoodt’s repurposing of a 19th century distillery complex. His design office, art gallery and residences occupy the old buildings with innovative new architecture and landscape design. Silo restaurant was delicious. Worth the journey for design inspiration.
Travelogue: Antwerp 2026 - 1
The highlight of our trip was Antwerp! Antoine, the 2 keyed concierge, at @botanicsanctuaryantwerp is my new best friend. The hotel was extraordinary with a gorgeous spa and lap pool lined in stainless steel. Lovely garden next door. Franco and I loved the MAS city museum on the harbour then enjoyed an outstanding lunch at @pontneufantwerp (perfect Dover sole and North Sea crab). We have souvenir perfumes from @driesvannoten . Beautiful modern architecture and an astonishing beaux arts train station. Not to mention the majestic @dekathedraal packed with wooden statuary and Rubens masterpieces. The icing on the cake was seeing Anna Volkova’s @porcelain.tulip porcelain flowers in a gallery opposite @botanicsanctuaryantwerp . Worth a return visit.
Travelogue: Amsterdam 2026 - Rijksmuseum, Night Watch behind glass, 13th century chainmail (14 kilos), did Ann Demuellmeester copy it?, Dutch ship, catching a glimpse of Vermeer, lunch at @auberge_amsterdam , Rijsttafel at Max with Wessel and Rob, Amsterdam school detail at Grand Hotel @sofitellegendthegrandamsterdam , Aldo Van Ecyk’s orphanage (1964, now offices for progressive development company), Olympic Stadium (1928), drinks at @rosewoodamsterdam with @printcolonial , art vending machine at @rosewoodamsterdam , tulips at the @sofitellegendthegrandamsterdam
Travelogue: Brussels 2026 - Magritte, Grand Place, Goose at Grand Place, @selecto.brussels , Victor Horta townhouse, Horta interior, Horta knob, Horta plaque, pollarded trees, Horta Comic Art Museum, Handrail, Smurf, European Parliament. Brussels is not as boring as it is made out to be.
Travelogue: London 2026 - Dinner at St. John Marylebone, River Lea near V&A East Storehouse, V&A atrium, Frankfurt Kitchen, Le Train Bleu stagecloth by Picasso, FLW’s Kaufmann office, 2012 Olympic cauldron model, lunch at # Manteca Shoreditch w kale pasta, dinner at The Hart and Durrants Hotel Marylebone. Excellent.
